Geschreven bij Nocturnes
This collection of five stories was my introduction to this author, who is reputedly a long distance type, not a sprinter. These stories aim to create stand-alone literary middle- distance works of art. The stories were either written in the early 1990s or more recently, avoiding all mention of modern media or other tell-tale external events. Music is the link between the stories and perhaps also love and the passing of time, as the back cover says.
This reader long hoped the opening story “Crooner” situated in Venice, would follow in the footsteps of Ian McEwen and Susan Hill, who both contrived in their novels to kill the male spouse of a newly-wed couple there. But the story’s object, legendary singer Tony Gardner and his wife Lindy survived their honeymoon in Venice 27 years ago. And nothing threatening happens during their wedding anniversary in Venice, celebrating their deep love and planned career-boosting divorce, no attempt on Tony’s life is made. (Lindy reappears in another story).
I found this collection disappointing for such a successful novelist. Each story is told by a very chatty person in first person singular. Not all are musicians, but all are in various degrees floundering in life and career and are annoyingly ingratiating to whoever they deal with. Time and again I skipped paragraphs and pages to help the end come nearer, without missing anything essential, it seems. And the stories do not lead to startling endings either. Despite his promising choice of narrators, some clever word play between stories and superb writing skills, Kazuo Ishiguro’s collection is rather bland and longish.
