The Remains of the Day - Softcover

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.

"An intricate and dazzling novel." --"The New York Times"
" "
"Brilliant and quietly devastating." --"Newsweek "
" "
"""A virtuoso performance ... put on with dazzling daring and aplomb." --"The New York Review of Books"
" "
"A perfect novel. I couldn't put it down." --Ann Beattie
" "
"The novel rests firmly on the narrative sophistication and flawless control of tone ... of a most impressive novelist." --Julian Barnes

An intricate and dazzling novel. "The New York Times"
""
Brilliant and quietly devastating. "Newsweek "
""
" "A virtuoso performance ... put on with dazzling daring and aplomb. "The New York Review of Books"
""
A perfect novel. I couldn t put it down. Ann Beattie
""
The novel rests firmly on the narrative sophistication and flawless control of tone ... of a most impressive novelist. Julian Barnes"

An intricate and dazzling novel. The New York Times

Brilliant and quietly devastating. Newsweek

A virtuoso performance ... put on with dazzling daring and aplomb. The New York Review of Books

A perfect novel. I couldn t put it down. Ann Beattie

The novel rests firmly on the narrative sophistication and flawless control of tone ... of a most impressive novelist. Julian Barnes"

"An intricate and dazzling novel." --The New York Times

"Brilliant and quietly devastating." --Newsweek

"A virtuoso performance ... put on with dazzling daring and aplomb." --The New York Review of Books

"A perfect novel. I couldn't put it down." --Ann Beattie

"The novel rests firmly on the narrative sophistication and flawless control of tone ... of a most impressive novelist." --Julian Barnes