What a page turner.
I was not supposed to read this.
What I mean is, I recently read a science fiction ("To Say Nothing of the Dog") and a fantasy ("Game of Thrones"), so I was supposed to read something that's more of present, so that then I can start on the last book of the Wheel of Time series.
But it turned out to be something that I totally didn't expect.
This is how I got the book:
One night after dinner, she and I went to Green Apple. Of course, I always get something that's either on sale or used.
I saw "Never Let Me Go" on sale. I've read about Ishiguro before, so I thought I should try.
I always thought that his background is interesting, a Japanese immigrant who grew up in UK.
I enjoy Asian sentiments that are well described in English - it's a rare find.
I expected him to be one, and based on the title and the book cover, and knowing that the movie made out of the book features Keira, I thought it'd be something emotional.
Well...
It's more of a science fiction for sure.
The story assumes an alternate history where human cloning was discovered in early 1900s.
In that world, human clones are used to supply organs for human beings when needed.
Thus it brings the question whether the human clones should be treated as humans or not.
It questions about the existence of soul on these human clones, and if that validates something as a human being.
In this world, human clones are everything like human, but they are created in a way they won't be able to reproduce.
Human clones' growth through adulthood are highly monitored and is done in a confined setting, and overtime, they lose most of the human-like treatment due to the fear of human beings that they could be genetically engineered to be a superior species than natural human beings.
In their world, human clones also fall in love and believe that love can make miracles.
But their life does not evolve more than being a kid, then a carer, which then becomes a donor until they die.
It's unclear what kind of donations are made, but some donors die after two donations or some survive up to four.
It has happened yet, but it does bring up a valid question.
But the book also reminded me of the movie "The Island".
It also questions whether the clones should be treated as humans or beings with souls.
In the world of the Island, it is hidden that the clones are automotive, which indicates that the clones are with will power, which then indicates that they have a soul. This indicates that they need to be treated as human beings in the society of the Island, but it's not the case in Never Let Me Go.
An interesting thing to think about for sure.
