Nocturnes by Kazuo Ishiguro

Description

“Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall” is a collection of short stories written by Kazuo Ishiguro, the renowned British novelist known for works like “The Remains of the Day” and “Never Let Me Go.” Published in 2009, “Nocturnes” explores themes of music, love, and the passage of time through interconnected tales set in various European cities.

Each story in “Nocturnes” revolves around characters who are in some way connected to music, whether as aspiring musicians, passionate listeners, or those simply touched by its beauty. Ishiguro’s writing delves into the nuances of human relationships and aspirations, often with a sense of melancholy and introspection.

The stories in “Nocturnes” are:

1. “Crooner” – A tale about a struggling musician who encounters a famous singer and learns an unexpected lesson about artistic integrity.
2. “Come Rain or Come Shine” – Follows a married couple whose relationship undergoes strain during a vacation in Venice.
3. “Malvern Hills” – Explores the reunion of two old friends, one of whom has achieved success as a musician while the other has settled into a mundane life.
4. “Nocturne” – Focuses on a saxophonist who becomes involved in the romantic entanglements of a wealthy couple.
5. “Cellists” – Concludes the collection with a story about a cellist who undergoes a personal transformation after receiving advice from a famous musician.

Through these stories, Ishiguro crafts a vivid portrayal of the human experience, blending music and nighttime settings to evoke a sense of longing, nostalgia, and the transient nature of life.