Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro presented the reader a huge problem: are human clones inferior to normal human beings? Can we use their organs as substitutes for sick organs, but this is absurd. Who would think they are inferior? His basic premise for the story is wrong.

Several questions and important points:

1. Why are Ruth and Tommy donors and not Kath?

2. Who becomes a carer and who becomes a donor?

3. After finishing the role of a donor, she or he will be a donor?

4. I don’t understand why the Hailsham students were not shocked when they heard from Miss Lucy that they are destined to provide their organs. It is unnatural that they accept without any big surprise or emotional feedbacks. After they heard the truth, Ishiguro describes that some students have sex. This is quite incomprehensive behaviors.

5. Why don’t the Hailsham students run away from the school once they have informed of their role in society. They have a lot of chance to do so. Why do they follow the regulations foolishly and faithfully?

7. I was moved to read the conversation between Madam and Tommy and Kath. I sympathized with the students, who are destined to give organs, yet Madam tried to give good education to them as much as possible. Something is wrong with her. Why does she do that? Why let them live their own ways?

8. The students have sex. Tommy and Kath have sex, but don’t they have babies?

9. Ishiguro is great to have shed light on the problem of clones.

10. Do 16-year-old boys and girls believe that the things they created in art class will tell who and who are in love? They are not infants. They should know better.

 

Black Jack V.1-V.3 By Osamu Tezuka

　　I read 45 Black Jack stories. Each plot is well developed. Black Jack is not a perfect doctor, but sometimes fails in operations. Black Jack stories are based on humanity. Some of them drew tears from my eyes.
　　 His drawing techniques, especially the characters’ facial expressions, are excellent. Their eyes reveal their emotion. Pinoko, the wife, she insists, is humorous and funny. I enjoyed her infant-like talking.
   Since he was a doctor himself, he knew a lot about diseases and operations and he utilized his knowledge in the field well in Black Jack series.

「本所深川ふしぎ草子 送り提灯」 宮部みゆき

中途半端な話。
１．お嬢さんの願掛けの相手が押し込み強盗と言うのはどうしてわかるのか。相手は大野屋の間取りを知っているのか。お嬢さんが相手を家の中に入れたことがあるのか。説明がない。

２．清助は毎晩毎晩おりんを待っていて、親しく声をかけている。清助はおりんのことを好いていないのか。清助がお嬢さんを心底思う気持ちが、描かれていない。

３．送り火は一体なんだったのか。狸か狐か、清助かが明かされていない。

４．大体回向院に本人が行かなくて、代理が行くと言うのは聞いたことがないし、屁理屈が書かれているが読者は納得しないだろう。

５．握り飯と草履を投げずになぜ送り火は消えたのかが書いてない。

「本所深川ふしぎ草子－片葉の葦」 宮部みゆき

疑問点
１．茂七は元六が藤兵衛殺しの犯人と分かったのかが描かれていない。お園と話している時に隣の壁に耳を当てて聞いていたということだけで、犯人と断定できるものか。もっと、確固たる証拠が欲しい。

２．藤兵衛の性格・信条がちぐはぐ。 「恵む」と「助ける」の違いが分かっているなら、寿司で余った酢米を貧しい人に、恵んでいるのではなくて、人助けをしているということで、与えればいい。彦次を源助のところに世話したり、下駄屋に金を貸したりしているなら、その性格上貧しい人に残った米をあたえる方が、性格的に合致しているのではないか。