The first few chapters

From the moment I started reading Never Let Me Go, suspense hung in the air. There was something…different about the story, something I knew the narrator, Kathy was going to bring up soon. The story is about a boarding school in England, called Hailsham and Kathy narrates how it was like growing up there and the experiences she had. Currently she is much older and not living there anymore but the place has created an indelible mark on her and she is never really able to let it go. Hence perhaps the name, Never Let Me Go. She talks about two friends the most – Ruth & Tommy. Ruth is her best friend and Tommy is someone she talks to regularly at Hailsham about things she normally doesn’t bring up with her other friends, Ruth included.

Ruth has a very strong personality and it is clear she is the leader of their pack. Tommy starts off being noisy, throwing tantrums which means he is the target to some mean pranks by his fellow boarders. This doesn’t last too long and Tommy changes his attitude which results in him getting more respect from the others.

Currently a carer, Kathy carefully drops a line or two here about what was different about the boarding school but is careful to not divulge too much and keep you engrossed in her tale. All the children are constantly told they are different which means they have to behave more politely, not indulge in anything they are told not to, stay away from smoking – absolutely frowned upon – and in general keep all vices at bay. This morning, on the bus I came to the part where some of this was clear. I know now why the guardians and teachers at Hailsham would have ensured zero exposure to cigarettes and smoking if they could. I won’t reveal it but needless to say I want more!

My gut told me something was different about this book. So far, I am right. It is not an ordinary tale of love, romance or friendship. There is something peculiar going on in this story so I’ll keep plowing through. Let’s see what the suspense is all about. So far, yes going very well!