Very enjoyable

I had no expectations before reading the book, it was a little slow to start in the first chapter, but thereafter it picked up well and I began to sense I had a real feel for the characters and the story took shape. Narrator was able to do the different voices well and had a calm accent which was easy on the ears.

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13 people found this helpful

The Remains of the Day

I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook, it is an engaging story carefully and brilliantly read by Dominic West. Essentially it is a study of the nature of human interaction and how the structure of society influences this. The author's use of language is a delight and adds immensely to the pleasure of the book. This is an intricate story and viewed from the early twenty first century it seems difficult to believe that social position and mores were so rigid between the wars but personally, my main developmental years being the fifties, I am sharply aware of how this was all unraveling at that time. Action packed this book is not but if you like a good story full of subtlety and wonderfully constructed the you will not be disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

Wonderful

What did I like about this book?
Everything! A tale of a different era that left me nostalgic for that time even though I never experienced it. Probably the most subtly written story of unrequited love that I’ve read. I actually felt moved by this which hasn’t happened for a long time.

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1 person found this helpful

Heartbreaking

Incredible book, such economy and poise as the tragedy gradually unfolds. Beautifully told and sufficiently different characterisation to distinguish it from Hopkins' famous performance.

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stay with it

the story develops slowly but is worth while. starts off like an instruction manual for butlers then it develops.

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charming and wistful

I really enjoyed this beautifully written narrative. We understand the narrator better than he understands himself

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A very special story

This story is unlike any other. I really enjoyed it. A glimpse into the upstairs/downstairs lives between the two Great wars. All told by one man, a butler, whose entire life is ruled by service as he understands it. Narration is perfect, just like the real English butler himself.

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a little disappointed

Firstly, praise be to Dominic West. what an excellent Narrator. I suspect he saved this audio book from really bad reviews.
I did enjoy the book, but mainly because I am interested in the concepts surrounding "dignity" and, to a degree, the life of those in service in the "big houses".
I did feel the story was a little rambling, and just when you thought something of note was going happen, it moved on.
Each to their own of course, but fail to see how this won a Booker.

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Beautiful story and fantastic delivery

Amazing story delivered in captivating fashion. Captured the transition period of old fashioned values struggling in the wake of new modern world. Heartwarming and sentimental, will keep you entertained through out cold winter nights. Hardly recommend taking it out for a journey to times gone by that always look brighter than they really were.

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layered, complex, perfect

I am not a lover of period dramas, however this story is compelling and complex. The writer plays with the bias we are subject to with a first person narrative to add depth to every passage. The themes are historically interesting with contemporary relevance. I will re-read and recommend this book. It will stay with me.

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