One notable aspect of Kazuo Ishiguro's short stories is his use of unreliable narrators. This adds an element of mystery and forces the reader to question the truth of what is being told. His stories also tend to have a melancholic undertone, which is characteristic of his overall body of work.
Another theme is the passage of time. His short stories frequently show how time affects relationships and the self. Characters may find themselves changed by the years, and their relationships may have shifted in unexpected ways.
Ishiguro's use of language. His words are carefully chosen and create a unique atmosphere. For example, in many of his short stories, the descriptions are so vivid that you can almost picture the scenes as if you were there.
I think 'Come Rain or Come Shine' is among the best. It has a certain melancholy to it. Ishiguro explores relationships in a very nuanced way in this story. You can really feel the emotions of the characters and the unspoken tensions between them.
Many of the main characters are introspective. They tend to spend a lot of time thinking about their own lives, their past actions, and their relationships. For instance, a character might constantly question whether they made the right decisions in the past.
His best short stories are characterized by their psychological depth. Ishiguro is really good at getting into the heads of his characters. He can make you understand their motives, even if they are not entirely noble. His stories also tend to have a slow - burning build - up. It's not all action - packed from the start, but rather, he takes his time to set the scene, introduce the characters, and gradually build the tension. This makes for a very immersive reading experience.
One of his well - known short stories is 'A Village After Dark'. It has that typical Ishiguro exploration of a character's past and how it haunts them in the present. Another good one is 'Come Rain or Come Shine', which is a story full of complex relationships and hidden emotions. And 'The Gourmet' is also quite interesting as it delves into themes of self - identity and the pursuit of pleasure through food.
The exploration of human nature is also common. Ishiguro delves into how people react to difficult situations, how they cope with change, and how they interact with others. For instance, in some stories, characters struggle with their own morality in the face of external pressures.
One of his best novels is 'Never Let Me Go'. It's a haunting and thought - provoking story set in a dystopian world where clones are created for organ donation. The characters' relationships and their acceptance of their fates are deeply explored.
I think 'The Remains of the Day' is one of the best Ishiguro novels. It tells the story of a butler named Stevens. The way Ishiguro delves into Stevens' self - deception and his loyalty to his master is really fascinating. The novel also gives a great view of the English class system and how it affected people's lives during a certain period.