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Kazuo Ishiguro Books In Order

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Publication Order of Standalone Novels

A Pale View of Hills (1982)Description / Buy at Amazon
An Artist of the Floating World (1986)Description / Buy at Amazon
The Remains of the Day (1989)Description / Buy at Amazon
The Unconsoled (1995)Description / Buy at Amazon
When We Were Orphans (2000)Description / Buy at Amazon
Never Let Me Go (2005)Description / Buy at Amazon
The Buried Giant (2015)Description / Buy at Amazon
Klara and the Sun (2021)Description / Buy at Amazon

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Come Rain or Come Shine (2019)Description / Buy at Amazon

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Anthologies

Granta 7: Best of Young British Novelists(1983)Description / Buy at Amazon
The Penguin Book of Modern British Short Stories(1987)Description / Buy at Amazon

A British author, Kazuo Ishiguro has a long and extensive career behind him, with plenty of award-winning novels under his belt. Having been born in Japan in Nagasaki, he moved to England at a young age, something which has been reflected in his work over the years. Focusing on a range of genres, he’s never limited himself to just one field and area of literature, creating an identity that’s all of his very own.

Early and Personal Life

Born in 1954 on the 8th of November in Nagasaki in Japan, where he spent the very early years of his life. It was in 1960 that his family moved to Guildford in Surrey after his father got a position researching oceanography there. Spending many of formative years in both Japan and Britain, he has gained a wide wealth of experience over time as an author.

Graduating in 1978 from the University of Kent, he gained a Bachelors of Arts in English and Philosophy. Later receiving a Master of Arts in Creative Writing in 1980 from the University of East Anglia following a year out to write fiction, he was well on his way towards becoming a fully fledged author. It was in 1982 that he was also awarded his citizenship, leading to him becoming one of the most prolific British author to date.

Working as a lyricist for the jazz singer Stacey Kent, he would put his talents for the written word to music as well. Becoming a versatile talent over the years, he would continue to work with her and her husband over the years, right up until 2013 with their album ‘The Changing Lights’. Adopting a number of different styles throughout his career as a writer, he always remained true to himself and his own unique voice.

Still writing to this very day, he currently lives in London with his wife, the social worker Lorna MacDougall, who he married in 1986. They have a daughter, Naomi, who also lives with them both as well, as he continues to write and look after his family. There’s a lot more to come from him as an author, as his writing career shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Writing Career

Releasing his first novel, ‘A Pale View of Hills’, in 1982 he made his debut onto the literary scene with a considerable impact. Winning an award for it, he was immediately taken in by the literary establishment as an author to definitely watch. Setting up many of his ideas and themes, it worked at building his name and introducing readers worldwide to his work.

Not working on a series as such, he’s more prone to writing stand-alone novels that work primarily on their own. This isn’t to say that he hasn’t had recurring themes and concepts for the duration of his career, as he continually returns to subjects time and time again. With interests such as the future of humanity, he has drawn heavily from science-fiction, whilst simultaneously keeping it real and grounded.

Gaining a whole host of accolades over the course of his long and illustrious career, there’s been plenty of praise for the author. Not just a commercial success, but a critical one too, he’s reaped a variety of different awards and nominations throughout his time as an author. Receiving four Man Book Prize nominations during his time as a writer, along with being ranked as one of the top novelists of his time, he’s definitely a writer that’s appreciated by both his peers and contemporaries alike.

Being adapted for the big-screen on numerous occasions is also another defining feature of the works of Kazuo Ishiguro. Most notably is that of ‘Remains of the Day’ which got made into a 1993 film directed by James Ivory and starring the award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins. With two other films, ‘The White Countess’ and ‘Never Let Me Go’, he’s definitely become no stranger to the silver screen over the years.

There’s a lot more to come from this author yet, as he continues writing to this very day from his home in London. Not just writing fictional novels, he’s also writing opinion pieces as well, as he is also a keen political advocate too. With plenty more set to be released on the horizon, his writing career will grow from strength-to-strength into the foreseeable future.

The Remains of the Day

Originally published in 1989 through the Faber and Faber publishing label, this was perhaps the most famous novel from Kazuo Ishiguro. Known for its 1993 big-screen cinematic adaptation, which starred award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins, it really made an impact upon its initial release. Showing a writer clearly at the peak of his career and talents, it provides a skilled and in-depth take on its subject matter.

Serving as a butler for a long time at Darlington Hall, the servant Stevens heads off on a motoring trip of the West Country. It’s 1956 and the story follows his six-day trip, as it also takes in memories of the past, fascism and the preceding two world wars. One memory that really sticks with him, though, is that of the housekeeper who he had had a relationship with previously. How does the past change a person? Where is England heading as a country? What of the past in the remains of the day?

When We Were Orphans

Initially published in 2000 in January, this was another highly popular title to come from Kazuo Ishiguro. With him being an already very well regarded author by this particular point he had a very large and eager following. Containing many of his trademarked themes and ideas, it’s a great piece for both newcomers and fans of the author alike.

Set in 1930s England, this follows detective Christopher Banks who is one of the countries most famous and celebrated detectives. One case has always stuck with him, though, and that’s the case of his parents who went missing at a young age. Disappearing in Shanghai when he was just a child, the story moves between Shanghai and London, as he attempts to revisit the past. Will he find out the truth? Can he ever hope to let the past lie? What happened when we were orphans?

Book Series In Order » Authors » Kazuo Ishiguro

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