The Librarian Is In Podcast, Biblio File

Never Let Me Go. Seriously, Never. The Librarian Is In Podcast, Ep. 65 by Frank Collerius, Library Manager, Jefferson Market LibraryNovember 16, 2017

Welcome to The Librarian Is In, the New York Public Library's podcast about books, culture, and what to read next.

Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Google Play

This week on the show, Gwen and Frank take a deep, emotional dive into a masterpiece by this year's Nobel Prize winner in Literature: Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.

Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go book cover

Thanks for listening! Have you rated us on iTunes yet? Would you consider doing it now?

Find us online @NYPLRecommends, the Bibliofile blog, and nypl.org. Or email us at nyplrecommends@nypl.org!

---

Want Personalized Recommendations?

Tune in to the NYPL Recommends Facebook TV show, every Friday at Noon EST and ask Gwen and Lynn for live reading recommendations. Just leave a comment telling what you're looking for and that you're a fan of the podcast! And don't forget to subscribe to the show so you don't miss future episodes!

---

How to listen to The Librarian Is In

Subscribing to The Librarian Is In on your mobile device is the easiest way to make sure you never miss an episode. Episodes will automatically download to your device, and be ready for listening every other Thursday morning

On your iPhone or iPad:
Open the purple “Podcasts” app that’s preloaded on your phone. If you’re reading this on your device, tap this link to go straight to the show and click “Subscribe.” You can also tap the magnifying glass in the app and search for “The New York Public Library Podcast.”

On your Android phone or tablet:
Open the orange “Play Music” app that’s preloaded on your device. If you’re reading this on your device, click this link to go straight to the show and click “Subscribe.” You can also tap the magnifying glass icon and search for “The New York Public Library Podcast.” 

Or if you have another preferred podcast player, you can find “The New York Public Library Podcast” there. (Here’s the RSS feed.)

From a desktop or laptop:
Click the “play” button above to start the show. Make sure to keep that window open on your browser if you’re doing other things, or else the audio will stop. You can always find the latest episode at nypl.org/podcast.

View all posts by Frank Collerius

Comments

Patron-generated content represents the views and interpretations of the patron, not necessarily those of The New York Public Library. For more information see NYPL's Website Terms and Conditions.

Never Let Me Go

Submitted by Camille (not verified) on November 16, 2017 - 10:34am

That was an amazing episode!! Thank you Gwen and Frank for the thoughtful discussion of “Never Let Me Go,” which is one of my favorite novels. I teared up right along with you guys when Frank read that last passage aloud. Keep being awesome, I love the pod. x

Re: Never Let Me Go

Submitted by Laura (not verified) on November 16, 2017 - 11:49am

Guys, I cried right along with you. Never Let Me Go is one of my dear darling life-changer books. When I saw the Nobel announcement, I got in touch with the friend who first recommended Ishiguro and we celebrated like sportsball fans. I haven't talked with many readers who feel the same, so it was really, really wonderful to hear you two rhapsodize today. Thanks so much. Thoughts on the movie?

Never Let Me Go

Submitted by alison (not verified) on November 17, 2017 - 1:39pm

G & F--terrific podcast...I too loved this book and really enjoyed hearing you both discuss it with such reverence and insight. As in many of his books, Ishiguro deftly captures that illusive feeling of informed melancholy..not so much mournful, but more a sense of seeing, really seeing, where you are in your own journey, if only for a moment--a sense of acceptance and presence that we sometimes allow ourselves to recognize. And Frank, I too was moved to tears when listening to your reading of the final lines...in that moment, as listeners, we were all in that moment together. Well done.

Never Let Me Go

Submitted by Rebecca (not verified) on November 20, 2017 - 4:47pm

I just finished your Never Let Me Go episode. You all asked if anyone had read this without knowing the story first. I did. I picked it up on a recommendation and listened to it on audio. I was so mad when I was done b/c "nothing happened". I figured out the clone angle pretty early on but wanted to see what happened and where the story went. I should have known that the author of Remains of the Day would not go for cheap thrills. I was expecting more of the sci-fi angle to come out and have some more world building. After listening to your discussion, I have revised my opinion of this book favorably. I can see now why people love it so much. So thanks for that! Also, the moment from the book that stuck with me were when the kids figured out that Madame didn't like them and they organized an incident when she came to visit where they politely swarmed her, all of them saying "Excuse me, Miss." as they brushed past, knowing it would make her uncomfortable. When the reader realizes it's b/c Madame doesn't really consider them human, it's a powerful moment. And creepy. Anyhoo, thanks again for the wonderful discussion. It really did help me see the book in a new light. Love your show! Rebecca Lexington, KY

Fantastic episode!

Submitted by Jen_nifer (not verified) on December 17, 2017 - 9:55am

Fantastic episode! I started listening earlier this year and aim to be caught up by the new year. Love the podcast!

I Am Still Emotionally Drained

Submitted by Allison (not verified) on July 6, 2019 - 1:29am

Ishiguro is one of my two favorite living authors, but I still haven’t re-read Never Let Me Go because it simply wiped me out the first time c. 2003. It is truly haunting, and I had to brace myself before listening to this episode. Tonight, I went for it. I thought I was going to make it through without bawling, but then Frank did his reading. I sat in my car and cried like a baby, sobbing right along with you. That passage on Norfolk is one of the towering achievements in British literature, and that’s saying something. When you guys held hands I wanted to be there with you! Okay, I must stop typing. I am crying again.

Just a quick postscript—I

Submitted by Allison (not verified) on July 6, 2019 - 1:31am

Just a quick postscript—I just noticed this episode aired on my birthday! Glad I only discovered you a few months ago!