Rocky’s Book Review: When We Were Orphans

The first book on my 2024 list did not disappoint.  It’s no surprise that When We Were Orphans by Kazuo Ishiguro earned a Nobel Prize in Literature from its masterful storytelling and suspenseful plot twists throughout. 

Synopsis

This book is told in the first-person point of view of London detective Christopher Banks as he reflects on his career and the events that changed the trajectory of his life forever.  Christopher grew up in Shanghai, China where his father worked for a British opium trading company.    

Throughout his story, Christopher reminisces on his childhood while growing up in Shanghai. He describes the conflicting dynamic between parents, his father working in the opium trade, and his mother a stark opponent of the opium industry.  While living in Shanghai, Christopher befriended his Japanese neighbor Akira and their relationship would shape their young lives.

At nine years old, Christopher’s life in Shanghai was upended when both of his parents mysteriously disappeared within months of each other.  Christopher was sent to live with his aunt in London, where he attended boarding school and eventually pursued his dream of becoming a detective.   As he became a renowned detective in London society, the unsolved mystery of his parents' disappearances continued to nag at Christopher’s conscious.  His curiosity led him back to Shanghai as Japan was invading China during World War II to solve the mysteries and reunite with his parents.  Throughout his expedition, Christopher learns about his past and the ultimate fate of his parents and his old friend Akira.  However, Christopher’s findings are certainly not what you would have expected.

Rocky’s Review

The suspense punctuated throughout When We Were Orphans is palpable.  Each chapter presents seemingly new clues that could help Christopher come closer to finding his parents.  I felt myself craving for more information as to what might have happened to his family and whether he would ever be able to find his parents again.  Kazuo Ishiguro does a marvelous job of building anticipation as Christopher races through war torn China in his journey to find his parents.  Ultimately, Ishiguro’s ending wasn’t a “happy” ending by any means.  Christopher's discoveries proved to be displeasingly realistic. As a reader I begged for closure for Christopher; however, real life isn't always as clean.

I look forward to reading more of Kazuo Ishiguro's work in the future.