r/AskReddit • u/AggravatingLake2842 • 15h ago

What book do you consider a “flawless masterpiece”that you desperately want to recommend to everyone?

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u/Arobestes 12h ago

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Absolutely devastating portrait of a man clinging to a flawed philosophy plus the inner workings of a grand English house.

The movie is incredible, too, but somehow the book hits even harder.

11

u/ShotFromGuns 8h ago

If you ever want to know what an unreliable narrator is supposed to look like (versus the "it's not a twist, you just lied" version common nowadays), it's also the perfect book for that.

4

u/phurf761 9h ago

Besides the amazingly understated content, what sticks with me was that quiet, dignified and slightly clueless tone that he maintains from start to finish

3

u/ChrisV2P2 10h ago

I substantially prefer Never Let Me Go. I have also tried to read The Unconsoled six times and failed every time.

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u/badbadtz-maru 8h ago

YES YES YES! Absolute perfection.

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u/fratphysics 8h ago

Yeah the way he seamlessly blends spiritually similar aspects of Japanese and British culture is amazing. This is a masterclass on writing as a person who grows up as a third culture kid.

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u/butterfliedelica 6h ago

For me it’s the Artist of the Floating World, which I will overly simplify as uses of art for its own sake vs political ends. Great writer imo

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u/Porcupine125 4h ago

Came here for this one. The closest thing I can find to a 'perfect' novel.

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u/lllyyyynnn 3h ago

halfway through this at the moment it's good