42 pages • 1 hour read
Kazuo IshiguroThe Buried Giant
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Set in Arthurian Britain just after King Arthur’s death, The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, as they search for their lost son in a land shrouded by a mist that causes memory loss. Traveling through mysterious and fantastical environments, they encounter various characters, such as Wistan, Edwin, and Sir Gawain, each with hidden motives, ultimately leading to a climactic confrontation with the dragon Querig. Themes of memory, aging, love, and loss are explored in a setting filled with buried sadness and uncertainty. The book contains sensitive topics related to memory loss, death, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is praised for its evocative prose and exploration of memory, love, and loss. The novel's allegorical nature and its blending of fantasy with historical reality captivate readers. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the narrative structure disjointed, which may challenge reader engagement. Overall, the book is a thought-provoking but divisive read.
Who Should Read The Buried Giant?
A reader who would enjoy The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is likely a fan of literary fiction with a blend of fantasy and historical elements. They appreciate rich, allegorical storytelling similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and the introspective narrative style of Ishiguro's own Never Let Me Go.