Books Like Never Let Me Go

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro has a particular pull. Three friends grow up at an idyllic English boarding school, slowly realizing what their lives were actually meant for.

What tends to stick with readers is its emotional, thought-provoking and quietly devastating feel. A dystopia so understated you almost don't notice how dark it is. Below are 7 books that carry that feeling in different ways, matched on shared mood, themes and reading experience. Never Let Me Go is a medium, slow-paced read (reading level: easy to follow), so we've noted where each pick is quicker, slower or heavier.

The book you loved

Never Let Me Go

Kazuo Ishiguro

7 books you might enjoy

1.
Klara and the Sun
Kazuo Ishiguro
Klara and the Sun shares Never Let Me Go's emotional and thought-provoking appeal. Both carry the #quietly-devastating tag.
Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow
Explore this book →Books like Klara and the Sun
2.
The Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale shares Never Let Me Go's thought-provoking appeal. It's a more demanding read than Never Let Me Go.
Medium · Fast pace · Moderate
Explore this book →Books like The Handmaid's Tale
3.
Norwegian Wood
Haruki Murakami
Norwegian Wood shares Never Let Me Go's emotional appeal.
Medium · Slow pace · Easy to follow
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4.
The Midnight Library
Matt Haig
If it was the thought-provoking side of Never Let Me Go you loved, The Midnight Library delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. The pace is easier than Never Let Me Go's.
Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow
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5.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird shares Never Let Me Go's emotional and thought-provoking appeal. Both carry the #book-club tag. The pace is easier than Never Let Me Go's.
Medium · Easy pace · Easy to follow
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6.
Half of a Yellow Sun
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
If it was the emotional and thought-provoking side of Never Let Me Go you loved, Half of a Yellow Sun delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. Expect a bigger commitment than Never Let Me Go.
Long · Slow pace · Moderate
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7.
Conversations with Friends
Sally Rooney
If it was the emotional and thought-provoking side of Never Let Me Go you loved, Conversations with Friends delivers it too. Both carry the #book-club tag. It's an easier read than Never Let Me Go.
Medium · Fast pace · Beginner-friendly
Explore this book →Books like Conversations with Friends