First of all, it’s probably worth pointing out that this book is Science Fiction. It’s not immediately obvious from the cover that it is, but publishers are nervous of “condemning” a novel by a mainstream author into the ghetto that is genre fiction.
The story is narrated by Kathy from some time in the future, and it tells the story of her life from the time she was “educated” in the seemingly exclusive Hailsham.
I don’t want to say a great deal more about the plot, as it should unfold naturally for the reader as they discover what’s going on. I’ve read a couple of Ishiguro novels before and this is yet another departure for him. He’s never scared to examine genres that he’s not previously attempted.
Overall though, I was only moderately interested in what happened in this book. It is carefully set-up as I’ve said, but I found it harder than perhaps I should have caring what the characters did and how they ended up.
It’s worth noting that this novel is up for the prestigious Arthur C Clarke Award for science fiction (the award is due to be made next Wednesday, 26 April). Not having read any of the other shortlisted novels, I couldn’t say how it compares.