Product Description

Key Features:

• Study methods
• Introduction to the text
• Summaries with critical notes
• Themes and techniques
• Textual analysis of key passages
• Author biography
• Historical and literary background
• Modern and historical critical approaches
• Chronology
• Glossary of literary terms

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3245 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
The novel's narrator, Stevens, is a perfect English butler who tries to give his narrow existence form and meaning through the self-effacing, almost mystical practice of his profession. In a career that spans the second world war, Stevens is oblivious of the real life that goes on around him--oblivious, for instance, of the fact that his aristocrat employer is a Nazi sympathizer. Still, there are even larger matters at stake in this heartbreaking, beautifully crafted novel-- namely, Stevens' own ability to allow some bit of life-affirming love into his tightly repressed existence.

Customer Reviews

One Of The Greatest Novels In British Literature..
Many of the best novels have essential qualities, they are thrilling, moving, highly readable and beautifully written. However, while The Remains of the day has ALL of the above, theres one major quailty that really made this novel resonate and touch me like no other book i have ever read. That quality is that this book allows you to re-evaulate your own life. It gives you a new perspective of life, and choices we make, and ultimately teaches us to follow our hearts and by what we feel its right. So that by the end of our days we can look back and not regret making such tragic choices as Stevens does. This book has truly touched me and moved me like no other. Althought the movie adaptation was terrific, you have to read this book to truly get a grasp of the genius this book is. In an era where the word 'Masterpiece', is so easily thrown about, The Remains of The Day, is truly and deservedly a MASTERPIECE.

Brilliant
I bought this book after seeing the film version starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. Most unusually the film is as good as the book and they're both brilliant. Strictly speaking not a great deal happens in the story but there are tremendous under-currents going on all the way through which hold your attention. This is probably the best book I've read this year.

Beautifully written
I loved this absolutely beautifully written book and read it in one sitting. Narrated by an English butler, Mr Stevens (we never know his first name), it is a truly moving tale. From the day he sets off on his journey, the story captivates you until the final pages. I loved his definitions of the word 'dignity' and I would thoroughly recommend this as an excellent, enthralling read of times gone by. I wished it had been longer! It won the Booker prize and for once, you can see why.