The book draws on a long history of concerns around scientific advancements and how progress should be weighed alongside moral and ethical concerns.
The novel is also well-loved for its philosophical discussion of what it means to be human and how emotionally challenging some parts of the book are.
The Early 21st Century
The early 2000s marked a period in which rapid technological advancements led to a heightened sense of global connectedness. This included the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, a landmark achievement in genetics. The successful mapping of the human genome opened up possibilities that were previously the domain of science fiction. It provided researchers with an insight into human biology that once only seemed like science fiction. However, these advancements were not without controversy.
The ethical implications of cloning and genetic manipulation became, and still are, a hotbed of debate. Questions regarding the morality of ‘playing God’, the potential for eugenics, and the commodification of human life were fiercely debated.
In the UK and across the globe, these developments lead governments to grapple with the challenge of regulating new technologies and striving to balance scientific progress with ethical considerations.
In many ways, ‘Never Let Me Go’ mirrors these concerns. Set in a dystopian version of Britain, the novel explores humanity and morality against the backdrop of cloning and organ harvesting. The author uses this realistic setting to explore the real moral complexities and ethical dilemmas posed by genetic engineering.
The novel portrays society in a terrifying way. The commodification of human beings for medical purposes has been normalized in the novel in a way that those debating real-world concerns about genetic engineering have only feared.
Themes and Their Relation to History
Throughout much of the novel, the author is focused on the concept of identity. They are particularly concerned with it in the context of cloning. The protagonist, Kathy, is a clone, as are all of her close friends. Throughout the novel, she tries to make sense of her life and the dark future she has in store.
This central theme reflects historical and contemporary worries about how advancements in genetics will change one’s understanding of self. With this in mind, the novel explores what it means to be human and challenges the reader to consider what defines humanity. Is it one’s origin? Consciousness? An ability to love or be creative?
Cultural Impact of the Novel
The novel was met with critical acclaim when it was published in 2005. Readers flocked to its unique narrative and appreciated its challenging themes, like the ethics of science.
The book was shortlisted for the 2005 Booker Prize and was made into a film soon after. Ishiguro’s novel has been influential in contemporary literature, especially in the science fiction and dystopian genres. It has been studied in academic circles and enjoyed by students. The novel has also contributed to broader cultural discussions about the boundaries of scientific advancement. This is particularly in the fields of genetics and cloning.
Comparison with Ishiguro’s Other Works
‘Never Let Me Go’ fits well within Ishiguro’s collected works. His novels often explore the themes seen in this specific book, as well as featuring discussions of time and loss. The author is known for combining highly relatable characters and emotional situations with more fantastical, futuristic settings. His novels often contain a dystopian element.
He’s also well-known for his subtle or understated style of writing, something that’s seen quite well within ‘Never Let Me Go.’ The book’s narrator, Kathy, spends the pages quietly reflecting on her life as she nears her first donation.
This novel is often read alongside ‘The Remains of the Day.’ It also features narrators who reflect on their pasts, slowly revealing the truths about their lives and the worlds they inhabit.
Another element seen in ‘Never Let Me Go’ that’s historically present in Ishiguro’s books is that of an unreliable narrator. This style of narrator provides readers with a narration that can’t quite be trusted. It is influenced by mental illness, emotions, prejudice, or any of many other elements that might change how one tells the story of one’s own life. The fact that Kathy didn’t understand much of what was going on around her when she was younger leads to this kind of narrative.