The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro is a literary fiction and award-winning novel that was written in 1989. After having been introduced to this author after having completed Klara and the Sun a few years back, I was instantly a fan. With almost three decades between these two novels, I was curious to see how well such an older novel held up. What I found is that this author is truly a master of telling a story where the readers get a much detailed behind-the-stage look at the main protagonist of the story. Rather than juggling through multiple characters and POV’s in an attempt to make a story be more “complex” than it should be, what I believe he excels in is the complete opposite, where only a few characters are focused on. From there, he weaves a story through that main character’s reflection, reminiscences, and memories along with blending in the current surroundings. In essence, we feel as if we really have become the character themselves, or at the very least have a very strong connection to them. This was so with Klara and the Sun in 2021, and it remains even more so with The Remains of the Day back in 1989.

…dignity has to do crucially with a butler’s ability not to abandon the professional being he inhabits. Lesser butlers will abandon their professional being for the private one at the least provocation. For such persons, being a butler is like playing some pantomime role; a small push, a slight tumble, and the facade will drop off to reveal the actor underneath.

Mr. Stevens

It’s post World War II and Britain’s landscape has changed considerably. We follow through the mind of Mr. Stevens, a dedicated butler to Darlington Hall. What was once a sprawling estate with frequent visitors, Mr. Stevens and his staff were dedicated to the smooth running of the estate for their lordship, Lord Darlington. Think Downton Abbey, if you will. With Lord Darlington’s death, the estate is now in the hands of an American, Mr. Farraday. However, the days of large household staffs running an estate for a lord or duke is no longer in fashion post-war. Mr. Stevens finds his staff inadequate to run the household for his new lordship and so goes on a weeklong journey to recruit a long time staff member, Miss Kenton. From here we get to hear stories and memories of events that transpired in Darlington Hall’s best years while we follow Mr. Steven’s motoring journey to visit Miss Kenton.

Such decisions were no longer a matter simply of wages, the size of staff at one’s disposal or the splendour of a family name; for our generation, I think it fair to say, professional prestige lay most significantly in the moral worth of one’s employer.”

Mr. Stevens

Almost immediately, we learn that Mr. Stevens is completely dedicated to the craft of becoming the best butler there is. The novel seems to be told through journal writings and entries of Mr. Stevens, though I do not believe this was confirmed. His explanation of “dignity” and professionalism was interesting, to say the least. It’s amazing because for a minute, it really does feel like we as the readers are put directly into his role as butler of Darlington Hall. His experiences of certain events along with his attitude and manners suggest that Mr. Stevens is a person with a very serious demeanor. The whole ordeal at times seems very saddening and depressing. Here is a person who knows that the times are changing as butler’s such as himself are not in favor anymore, yet he continues to do his very best to provide the excellent service he can to his lord and visitors because that’s all he has to go on. Doing anything less means an affront to his whole being. However, it can at times also be seen as a sign of hope and encouragement as well, depending on how one looks at it. I guess the most depressing part can be seen between the dialogue of Mr. Stevens and Miss Kenton.

“You’ve got to enjoy yourself. The evening’s the best part of the day. You’ve done your day’s work. Now you can put your feet up and enjoy it.”

Stranger at the beach

The Remains of the Day, while clearly not a novel for everyone, is a literary masterpiece that explores how someone can be so dedicated to his craft that it literally shapes his entire being. Everything that Mr. Stevens is and is not deals with his being a butler. It’s obviously not an exciting read in the traditional sense but rather an interesting one. Each chapter brings us closer to his destination and reunion with Miss Kenton, and each chapter brings us that much closer to understanding just who Mr. Stevens is with all of his kindness along with his faults as well. Mr. Stevens remarked that a butler only has one time in which he can truly be himself, and that is when he is alone. It’s likely because of this that shows how he can at times look to be lacking in empathy towards others. This novel is a highly recommended read.

Thank you to Reddit u/BainterBoi for the recommendation:

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