15th Annual San Francisco Great Books Mini-Retreat

We will discuss a novel in the morning and view the film adaptation in the afternoon. This year we will hold this event at the Bethany Methodist Church, Noe Valley in San Francisco.  See the address and map in the column to the left.

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, here is the universally acclaimed novel—winner of the Booker Prize and the basis for an award-winning film.  
 

This is Kazuo Ishiguro's profoundly compelling portrait of Stevens, the perfect butler, and of his fading, insular world in post-World War II England. Stevens, at the end of three decades of service at Darlington Hall, spending a day on a country drive, embarks as well on a journey through the past in an effort to reassure himself that he has served humanity by serving the "great gentleman," Lord Darlington. But lurking in his memory are doubts about the true nature of Lord Darlington's "greatness," and much graver doubts about the nature of his own life.

"This is one of the best books I have read in years. The subtle character studies are extraordinary, and the plot development with its surprising twists and innuendos is a joy to follow. Ishiguro manages to convey sadness, happiness, and criticism of the English cast system, all at the same time. This novel is so nuanced that I will read it again to make sure I didn't miss anything." --- Amazon Reviewer, David Pereda

“An intricate and dazzling novel.” —The New York Times
 
“Brilliant and quietly devastating.” —Newsweek 
 
“A virtuoso performance ... put on with dazzling daring and aplomb.” —The New York Review of Books
 
“A perfect novel. I couldn’t put it down.” —Ann Beattie
 
“The novel rests firmly on the narrative sophistication and flawless control of tone ... of a most impressive novelist.” —Julian Barnes

We will discuss the novel in the morning and view and discuss the film in the afternoon.

The film stars Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson, James Fox, and Christopher Reeve.  The film is directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant.  

"I would have thought the novel was almost unfilmable, until I saw this film. 'The Remains of the Day' is a subtle, thoughtful movie. There are emotional upheavals in it, but they take place in shadows and corners, in secret. It tells a very sad story - three stories, really." --- from a review by Roger Ebert

 

Schedule

9:30 am     Registration

10:00 am   Book Discussion

12 noon     Lunch

1:30 pm      Movie

4:30 pm     Wrap-up Discussion

The cost for this event is $25.00 per person; please add $12 if you’d like the book shipped to you.  Please register soon as we only have a limited number of spaces available and expect to sell out fast.  Registration is "first come, first served."  We'll take a lunch break after our morning discussion.  Plan to bring your own lunch or enjoy a Noe Valley restaurant.

A printable registration form to register by postal mail is available. CLICK HERE.

To REGISTER ONLINE and pay by credit card or PayPal or check, click on the "Register Now" button below.

Questions? Please contact Parki Hoeschler at phoeschler@aol.com or (415) 310-1195.

Register Now!