Kazuo Ishiguro is just one of the most exquisite writers out there. The Remains of the Day is quietly beautiful, I think, understated in the British way. Just think of Stevens' description of the beauty of England. That is exactly what this book is to me. There are more grandiose works out there, more obviously gorgeous, but there are few which match the perfect prettiness of the novel.

And, what I really like, is how underneath it all there is the unsettling ugliness of what went on during the war. I find that's a neat parallel to the rugged and dangerous parts of the country - they're hard to find but they are there.