CEO Reads: The Buried Giant

Set in Britain’s mythical past The Buried Giant follows an old couple’s journey to find their son through post King Arthur’s Britain. They meet up with an old knight in rusted armour, Sir Gawain, a young boy, Edwin, needing to be rescued from ogres and then by suspicious villagers who believe he will turn into a monster, a warrior, Wistan, who is on a mission and many other misfits and mythical creatures- and I love that this fable has a dragon at the centre of its plot. 

The elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, love each other deeply but their memories are unreliable and names, events and faces are slipping away.  But this is happening to their neighbours too and Axl and Beatrice believe the memory loss is because of the mysterious mist. Axl and Beatrice get carried on the tide of this adventure but really wish only to survive and to reach their son, to be together as a family.  They need to remember their past but as we get further into the journey we, the reader, start to realise that these memories may bring unintended consequences.

The mystery of the past, the dragon and their journeymen is not revealed until the last chapter.  Who are Axl and Beatrice?  What has happened to their son? What is Wistan’s mission and why does the mist that makes everyone forget not have any effect on this warrior? And which monster has bitten young Edwin?  At the heart of this novel is really questions about memory – and what holding on to memories can make men do generation after generation. Is forgetfulness the ultimate peace bringer?  We are also reminded in Isiguro’s fantasy that no matter how much a couple loves the other there is an ultimate parting where one will go on alone. 

Neil Gaiman wrote that this is a melancholy book which he could not love and I would agree.  The reason to read it though is that it resonates with you long after you have finished it as it is an exceptional novel, genre bending with ease, using myths, history and the fantastic to explore huge personal themes among with memory and how we use it – for revenge, to hurt and to love – as a central theme.  And let’s not forget it has sword fights, betrayals, monsters, and a dragon – let us not forget the dragon! Ishiguro never writes a similar novel so even if you have read his previous classics you will find this one to be completely different and well worth spending your time in a great adventure that will have you thinking well after you have turned the last page.

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is available to loan through Murrindindi Library Service, our patrons are advised that they will have to search the catalogue to find this item, or ask staff to assist them in finding it, as we aren't able to link it for your convenience.