The Buried Giant

A very interesting book, indeed. This is the third novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that I've read and I can say that he is a 4 star author. He finds a way to speak in different voices about very different circumstances, while continuing to explore certain themes. Although each of the three books I've read (“[b:The Remains of the Day 28921 The Remains of the Day Kazuo Ishiguro https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327128714s/28921.jpg 3333111]” and “[b:Never Let Me Go 6334 Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1353048590s/6334.jpg 1499998]”) are about memory and wistfulness, there is much more to be found. One theme that Mr. Ishiguro explores again in this novel is being an outsider, which is an autobiographical theme (he was born in Japan, but grew up in England). We follow the story through the eyes of Axl and Beatrice, an elderly couple that isn't allowed to use a candle in their room at night. As we progress through the story, we learn why that may be the case; perhaps the village remembered Axl's failed role in brokering peace between the Saxons and Britons at some level? Wistan, Edwin, and Gawain are all warriors who are now on their own, protecting or searching without the aid of other compatriots. Even the dragon is an outsider, although Merlin's enchantment gives her the power to prevent war from breaking out betwen the Saxons and Britons. The boatman is always alone, ferrying people whose time on Earth has drawn to a close. All of these people are somewhat disconnected from others, although each of them can be warm and gentle. I really liked that the story comes through several voices, not just Axl and Beatrice. In fact, I enjoyed hearing from Gawain, and would have liked to hear from him just a bit more. While the polite, courtly cadence of the characters in “The Buried Giant” are different from those of his other novels, they seem suited to this post-Arthurian world, in which memories are obscured by the dragon's mist. It is not only the elderly that experience this mist; it is something that all ages encounter. Could this mist be an allegory to the technology mist so many of us live in in which we must check our cell phones constantly and pacify ourselves with vines and Youtube videos as opposed to engaging in conversation with the people across the table from us? Or, if you're not attuned to engaging in war with other tribes, are you enshrouded by mist?Most touching was the ending of the novel, at least in my opinion. I sort of expected the couple to end as they did, separated by the boatman.So, why did I only give “The Buried Giant” 3 stars? Because it's an entertaining novel and, I think, appropriately paced, although some readers expected a much faster, “Game of Thrones” pace. This world covered by the dragon's mist doesn't move quickly and all isn't supposed to be clear.