ALTHOUGH it claims to be set in this country in the late 1990s, the England of Ishiguro s novel is a skewed version of reality. Narrated by 31-year-old Kathy H, the novel tells of her childhood at the mysterious Halisham School. Through Ishiguro s lack of

ALTHOUGH it claims to be set in this country in the late 1990s, the England of Ishiguro's novel is a skewed version of reality.

Narrated by 31-year-old Kathy H, the novel tells of her childhood at the mysterious Halisham School.

Through Ishiguro's lack of sensationalism, you often forget that this is a work of science/speculative fiction and he is in no great rush to explain the truth behind the world he has created.

But behind this matter-of-fact tone is thought-provoking, creative and imaginative vision and an engaging novel.

Thanks to Ottakar's of Stevenage 4/5