You ever feel like questioning your existence? Like that cliché question of “am I real?” or “what does it even mean to be human?”?
The last time that happened to me was when I read Piranesi by Susanna Clarke and it just left this void in me wondering, essentially “what the hell did I just read?” from about the time I finished reading and lasting even until now, over a year later. Never Let Me Go didn’t leave me quite with the same void in me questioning my existence, but I do think it explores a lot of very interesting philosophical questions without asking them directly.
The book is told through the eyes and voice of Kathy H., an ex-student of Hailsham, a school where human clones are educated and taught how to take care of themselves. With this sentence alone there are a ton of questions one might ask themselves regarding the book:
- Why do clones need to be educated?
- Where are the clones created?
- Why even clone people at all?
- Is cloning normal in this world?
Among a myriad of other possible questions, and I’m here to tell you that most of these questions don’t get answered, they aren’t even really made in the book. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the author was so meticulous about the things he didn’t say. I’d even go as far as saying that the things that aren’t mentioned are more important than whatever is presented to us. The reason for this is because this is a truly “point of view” narrative. Kathy is our narrator, and it becomes clear pretty early on that whatever details she doesn’t expand upon, anything she doesn’t say, is because those details aren’t important to her, or at least she thinks it’s not important for the story, which in part leaves the reader a little confused and frustrated as to why she drops these little tidbits and lore bombs then refuses to elaborate.
This is explained in the story when it’s explained that the clones receive this same type of “information drops” since they’re very young, and then their teachers (which they call carers) quickly change the subject, with the goal of ingraining in their minds these ideas of who they are (clones) and what their purpose is (donating organs) and never question it, just accept it as a simple fact of their lives. This becomes a recurring theme, the students are essentially trained to be obedient sheep and not question anything and accept anything their carers tell them as fact, while also trying to live their own lives and preparing themselves for life after Hailsham.
This is definitely not a feel-good novel, as the story progresses, and especially towards the end, a lot of things are clear to the reader that are not clear to Kathy herself, they were raised essentially as sheep for slaughter, because of the way they were brought up, they never even got the idea of rebelling, all they can hope for is a very simple life, which for them is very fulfilling despite it being a very empty life after everything is said and done, and they just accept all of that as normal.
The reader and analyst in me did have unanswered questions I’m just a little upset we didn’t get an answer to, such as:
- Why isn’t the idea of normal humans being repulsed by clones explored more?
- Why didn’t Kathy become a donor and stayed as a carer for so long? Even other characters make a note of this.
- How are the clones made?
- They mention that the clones are made from junkies and other humans deemed as “low” by normal societal norms, but we never got a hard confirmation of this being the case.
However, the most poignant question, at least to me, is this: are these clones human after all? For all intents and purposes, the only big difference between the clones and real humans, besides the obvious one of clones being made, is that all clones are infertile, but real people can be infertile too, so that’s not a deciding factor. Clones start off at least as children (we never get confirmation on if there are baby clones) and they grow up, mature, have feelings, independent thoughts, can learn, empathize, and have distinct personalities. At what point do they stop being humans, despite not being born in a conventional way? This is sort of the same question ‘Piranesi’ had me pondering, what does it mean to be you? What makes you, you? While not the same questions, I feel they explore the same sort of philosophical area, the exploration and understanding of self.
For instance, we have bio-engineered food in the real world, and widely accept it as “normal” food, it’s cheaper than fully natural produce for the most part, and is a net positive overall in my mind. Why then, would the clones be treated differently in the book’s world? This is something I’m still trying to wrap my head around even days after finishing the book. It has staying power.
I read this as part of the book club I attend, the general consensus there was that the book was boring because the plot didn’t move at the pace most of the member expected, some even described it as not having a plot at all. I clearly don’t share that mindset, but kind of get where they’re coming from. I think this is the type of book you need to be ready to read between the lines to get the ideas that are being presented. I’m not saying that you must treat “Never Let Me Go” as an intellectual exercise, but I do think that trying to view the story a little beyond what’s just presented to us as fact will greatly enhance your reading experience.
I love books that make you think and books that are well written, this book checks off both boxes. If you’re expecting an action packed narrative, this isn’t for you, if you’re looking for something mysterious that makes you feel uneasy and are OK with not getting answers and enjoy philosophical pondering around those unanswered questions, give this book a try.
Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆