Literary
The Remains of the Day
In 1956, an ageing English butler, Stevens, takes a road trip to visit a former housekeeper. As he travels, he recalls decades of loyal service to Lord Darlington and the things he never said.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1989
- Pace
- Slow
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 245
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you like quiet, beautifully controlled novels where the real story lies in what the narrator avoids.
Skip this if you want plot and action, because the drama is subtle and internal.
The feel
Content warnings
None noted yet.
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Remains of the Day
- What is The Remains of the Day about?
- In 1956, an ageing English butler, Stevens, takes a road trip to visit a former housekeeper. As he travels, he recalls decades of loyal service to Lord Darlington and the things he never said.
- Who should read The Remains of the Day?
- Read it if you like quiet, beautifully controlled novels where the real story lies in what the narrator avoids. Skip it if you want plot and action, because the drama is subtle and internal.
- How long and how fast is The Remains of the Day?
- It is a slow-paced, short read of about 245 pages, first published in 1989.
- Does The Remains of the Day have content warnings?
- We have not noted any content warnings for this book yet.
- Can I borrow The Remains of the Day for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Remains of the Day; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Remains of the Day?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Never Let Me Go, Atonement, A Gentleman in Moscow.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
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| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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If you loved The Remains of the Day
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Never Let Me Go
Another Ishiguro novel with a restrained narrator who slowly reveals a painful truth.
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Atonement A novel about a misjudgement made in the English country-house world and its long aftermath.
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A Gentleman in Moscow A warmer, more playful story of a man whose world has shrunk but whose manners stay intact.
Literary
