I have to start by saying that I really like Kazuo Ishiguro’s work, and that I have read most of his novels. Indeed, he’s probably one of my favourite authors.
In 2019, for some unknown reason, Faber decided to publish his 2009 short story “Come Rain or Come Shine” in a single edition to sit in their ‘Faber Stories’ ninety year celebration cohort. I say ‘for some unknown reason’ because the story is – to my mind at least – a complete dud. The premise/plot is completely daft, and the three characters in the narrative totally unbelievable – which goes completely against what Ishiguro is good at (think Remains of the Day…).
If the story was submitted to me as a candidate for a Coverstory books anthology I wouldn’t publish it.
It may be that I missed something fundamental in the story (it wouldn’t be the first time!), but I really don’t think so. My message: if you want to read Ishiguro – and you should – read something else…
Ian Gouge - Writer 