The story is narrated by Kathy H, a 31 year old, who works as a carer of donors. It begins with Kathy's recollections of her earlier life at Hailsham, an exclusive English private school. The story, on the surface, appears to be about Kathy and her two close friends, Ruth and Tommy, and how over time, their lives become entangled in a love triangle. It describes their childhood at Hailsham, where there is an emphasis on self expression and creating art, and the importance of being healthy. Smoking in particular, is absolutely forbidden. As the story progresses, the true horror of Hailsham slowly dawns on you, through veiled hints and references and use of words such as complete, carers, students and donations.
I found this to be a very sad book, but it is beautifully told, and is a story that stays with you, raising questions about the future and humanity.
It was made into a film in 2010, (to critical acclaim), but I would recommend reading the book first, as the movie reveals the true nature of Hailsham near the beginning of the story, focusing more on the relationships of the trio.
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