Book Clubbing: Remains of the Day

So it's been one of those weeks where I keep telling everyone that "Mercury must be in retrograde," even though I don't really know what that means. On my planet, I am simply using it as code for, "Dude, things are way nutty right now."

Fortunately for me, though, there was a little peaceful moment during my week: it was time again for my Book Club to get together for one of our monthly meetings. Not everyone could make it this go 'round (only two of us could show up), but that didn't stop us from geeking out and waxing on about the tight, smart writing from our latest read, The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro.

It's a gorgeous book for many reasons, and one of those is the fact that it's based on a character named Mr Stevens, an old-school butler at the once-grand "Darlington Hall" in the UK in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. And that means there's tons of repressed emotion, several repeats of the word "sir," and lots and lots of descriptions of lovely things.

(Here's a few passages that inspired me.) (Sir.)

I am glad to be able to recall numerous occasions when the silver at Darlington Hall had a pleasing impact upon observers. Vintage Silver Plate Serving Fork and Spoon, $10.50, TarasVintageKitchen at etsy

I recall I was a little taken aback when Miss Kenton opened the door and entered before I had bidden her to do so. She came in holding a large vase of flowers and said with a smile: 'Mr Stevens, I thought these would brighten your parlour a little.' Albert Vase, $200, Tina Frey Designs

I was then brought up to this room, in which, at that point of the day, the sun was lighting up the floral patterns of the wallpaper quite agreeably. Betta wallpaper, $150/roll, Jill Malek

'Stevens, are you all right?'

'Yes, sir. Perfectly."

'You look as though you're crying.'

I laughed and taking out a handkerchief, quickly wiped my face. 'I'm very sorry, sir. The strains of a hard day.'

Handkerchief with Silkscreened Film Countdown, $7.77, HudsonDusker at etsy

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