Similarly, Miss Kenton, the housekeeper, was hardly subtle in trying to grow close to him, and yet he put up walls only his job could climb. It is also a quite serious story, so much so that I found myself getting depressed as Stevens constantly chose his job over his own happiness.Įven when his own father is dying upstairs, he is too busy waiting on the guests of his employer. This story is more of an examination of different characters, especially of Stevens himself, against the backdrop of early 20th century England. Saying that, Stevens is an entirely unreliable narrator, twisting things oddly to suit his prim and proper attitude and obsessive pride. Although the story is told entirely from Stevens perspective, we get a view of most every person visiting the house, from the housekeeper to the prime minister of England. This book is beautiful to read, filled with old British traditions and still relevant political debates. The six-day excursion becomes a journey into the past of Stevens and England, a past that takes in fascism, two world wars, and an unrealised love between the butler and his housekeeper.” Review Synopsis: (from Goodreads because it sums up the story perfectly) “In the summer of 1956, Stevens, a long-serving butler at Darlington Hall, decides to take a motoring trip through the West Country.

It is still a great movie which I really want to watch again.Īnyway, I finally got to read the book (or, in this case, I listened to it on audiobook) and wow was I impressed!

Saying that, it’s been years since I’ve seen it, so whether it is an entirely accurate adaptation I cannot recall. The movie, starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson, came out in 1993 and is an absolutely beautiful film. He’s famous for many novels, but none looked quite so interesting as this one. I have had this author on my TBR for years now, probably ever since I saw the movie adaption of this book a decade ago.

Author the remains of the day