Book Review: Never Let Me Go

Title: Never Let Me Go
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Rating: 4/5

Brief Summary: Kathy and her friends attend a boarding school called Havisham, but what is the purpose of this boarding school? Strange whispers from teachers and an unusual woman called Madame arouse suspicion from a few of the students. they are told to be creative and that it is very important for them to submit work into Madame's gallery. But what does this all mean? Follow the life of Kathy and where Havisham takes her.

Thoughts in a sentence:
Kathy: A beautifully crafted novel, that leaves you with a sense of wonder and awe.
Bee: TBR

Review:
I am going to talk about this novel in three parts as that is how it is sectioned in the book.
The first section follows Kathy and her friends lives at Havisham. When I first started reading I knew that something was up because they never mentioned their parents or siblings. They never talked about any home apart from the school, however they all appeared to be happy. They acted as normal children/teenagers do at school and never really thought much about their future. The first unusual aspect of this novel was Tommy. He had these temper tantrums that made people slightly fearful of him and class him as weird. When Tommy told Kathy about what Miss Lucy had told him, the novel took on another tone. instead of being cheerful there was now a mystery surrounding the school. The whole way through I wondered 'What is the purpose of madame's gallery?' I like they way the reader grows up with the characters. They know just as little as we do. This could be linked to maturity and the idea that as we get older we understand more about life and the hardship that it can be. Obviously a key part of section one is when Madame comes across Kathy dancing in her room to 'Never Let Me Go'. This was a very emotional scene and one that had the reader captivated yet confused. In my mind I wondered if Madame couldn't have children herself and was pining for a reality that was not hers. I also wondered if madame was Kathy's mother and that she had come to look in on her daughter. Alas neither of these theories were true, but the point is this scene holds a lot of speculation and mystery again for the reader and Kathy.

Section two takes us to the cottages. This section was the one that I saw the most character development in, as they had left their childish ways behind and started to become more mature. One thing that you will find is that they are hooked on sex. Miss Lucy told them that they would never have children as they were born to be donors. They don't have control of their own life so I believe that they liked to have sex because it was something they could control by choosing to do it. They had control over that aspect of their body unlike the donations which they would have to make, willing or not. Bonds were strengthened between characters in this section. All the way through I wanted Kathy to be with Tommy because she was the one he was able to confine in and not Ruth. I think they both knew that they were meant for each other because they fit each other so well. But it was hard for them to recognize these feelings in the midst of sex and Ruth being a constant shadow over them. The trip to Norfolk was one of my favourite parts of the novel and I loved their idea that Norfolk is the lost corner of England, and all your lost possessions will turn up there. When they found the record in Norfolk I think this gave Kathy and Tommy hope. Hope that they will be able to find themselves after they have completed all of their donations, and that whatever comes next they won't always be lost as they can be found in Norfolk.

Section three, by far my favourite, was very emotional. We learn that the purpose of the gallery was to prove to the rest of the world that the 'students' are real people with real emotion. I think this was a very clever twist because the whole way through we assumed it was to prove that they were in love with someone. Their art still holds the idea that it is the key to their souls, however it is used to prove that they actually have souls. I liked how this novel was set in our past because it makes it seem more life like and as if this could really happen. Its like a warning message telling us that no matter how hard you try to distinguish yourself from other people, we are still the same and all equal. Here Kathy finds Tommy in Norfolk even though he was dead and she would soon be completed. Her vision of him coming towards her brought me to tears. I admire Kathy so much because she has witnessed plenty of donors complete, even Ruth and Tommy, so she knows what is in store for her. Yet even at the end she isn't angry with the life she has been given because even though she will die she has made friendships that can never be broken. She has meant something to different people and she has left her mark, maybe not a significant one, but to her that is enough. I think this can relate to our society today because many people feel oppressed. However if Kathy teaches us one thing it is... no matter how hard your life is there will still be people who can see the best in you, and when you think you are lost, they will find you.

Please comment your thoughts and opinions of this book.
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Book Review:Cinder

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Penguin
Rating: 4 stars

Brief description: In a futuristic world Cinder(ella) fights against an oppressing society for freedom. She is a cyborg living in a humans world and is not given the same rights. Working in a mechanics shop she encounters the prince of New Beijing who captures her heart. How much is she willing to tell him about her real identity? And does she even fully know her own identity?

Thoughts in a sentence
Bee: This is one of my favourite books. I love the unique twist on a classic fairytale.
Kathy: Funny, romantic and clever. This book has you enraptured until the very end.

Review:
This novel is set in New Beijing, a futuristic city full of cyborgs, androids and portscreens. I was very intrigued to read a novel set in an Asian country as there are few YA books set in this continent.  I think Meyer chose to  set her novel here because it is busy, hot and ultimatley a huge machine.  A city has so many wires and connections that it is all a big circuit. This is ironic as cyborgs are discriminated against in New Beijing yet the people will happily live off of a machine city. I think Meyer is trying to reflect our society in this instance as we discrimate people for their appearance and differences yet in the end we rely on them as they are working citizens of our country and world. Cinder takes the reader on her journey and we get to see first hand the kind of hurt she recieves. This can range from just a disapproving glance to not having the rights over her own body.
I really liked the relationship between Cinder and Kai. I really hope they end up together as they've been through too much to not get a shot at happiness. The ending was very tense and shocking. Having read the other novels in the series so far I know more about who Cinder is and what powers she can posses. However from the view of only this book I think Meyer revealled Cinders identity in a spectacular way and left us heartbroken.
I have found  parallels between Cinder and Kai. For instance they do not both possess complete freedom. Kai is restricted becaus of his status as King and Cinder can never be free because of her lower cyborg class. Maybe they find a sense of freedom in each other and a glimpse of what life is like when you're reckless. There are many questions to be held over Levana and the disease letumosis. Levana, representing the evil witch who disguises herself to trick cinderella, is a cunning and malicious character. She appears to have no pity or even a sense of humainity, maybe because she isn't human. I am interested to see how Levana will be otherthrown and for Cinder to recognise her true power.
Finally I want to say how this is a very quick, fun read that makes you feel good. I would compare it to Anna and the french kiss, because they both have a lovable quality to them.

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Love Bathy
Twitter: @BathyBooks
And may the odds be ever in your favour.

Book Review: A Monster Calls

Title: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books
Rating: 3 stars

Brief Summary: Conor has been having the same nightmare ever since his ill mother started her treatment. Conor loves his mother so much and will do anything for her. One day when Conor cannot sleep a monster visits him. But this isn't your average scary monster. Who is this monster, and why does he keep appearing to Conor? Conor must face the reality of his life and stand up to his monsters.

Thoughts in a sentence:
Kathy: A beautifully moving story showing us a different side to tragedy and how people's minds cope with such difficult situations.
Bee: TBR

Review: At first when I started reading this book, I thought it was a childrens book because of the easy to read writing style. However upon finishing it I really appreciate how it was written because the whole book is about Conor, the young boy, so I think the writing syle reflects him and gives us a better insight to HIS life and not just the things going on in it, but how he feels. I think it's so interesting to have this story told from a childs point of view because this is the hardest situation he will ever have to face in his life, and he has to somehow deal with it at such a young age. I think the whole idea of nightmares and monsters was used becuase it's the only thing Conor can relate bad things with. They haunt him wherever he goes and he has a cloud hanging over his head. In the book Conor has to face the scary reality happening in his life, as well as the own battle he's having in his mind. He is two different people trying to live in the same body. He wants to be the son his mother has brought him up to be and love, but inside he wants to cry and scream and destroy everything, becuase how can he ever be happy with so much pain and sadness in his life. This book contains so many interesting parallels that show the struggles lots of people have to face  on their own. The monster and the nightmares are Conors way of relieving himself from reality.
The ending to this book was outstanding. The reader finally understands what is going on in Conors mind and the truth couldn't be less painful for Conor and the reader. This book makes you realise that sometimes we must let go of even the things we love the dearest in life becuase they can hold us back. For as long as you hold onto something of the past, you can never move forward. Conor has his whole life to lead and he learnt so much from such a young age.
The final thing I wanted to mention about this book is the whole presence of the monster. Who is he? Was he just a figment of Conors imagination or was he something more? At first I thought maybe he could be a version of God, who has come to save Conor. However this monster was not the loving kind. Nearer the end of the book, Conor almost became the monster, and this leads me to believe that the monster was what Conor needed to see to get through this time in his life. Maybe it was God who created this monster for Conor, the monster being the bad things and thoughts inside of Conor. Conor had to face his own evil to accept the truth he needed to feel.
This book has still left me with so many questions but its a tale I will read again and again when I'm looking for an answer in my life. Thank you Patrick Ness for doing such a great justice to Siobhan Dowd.

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Love Bathy <3