Set in Arthurian Britain just after King Arthur’s death, The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro follows the journey of an elderly couple, Axl and Beatrice, as they search for their lost son in a land shrouded by a mist that causes memory loss. Traveling through mysterious and fantastical environments, they encounter various characters, such as Wistan, Edwin, and Sir Gawain, each with hidden motives, ultimately leading to a climactic confrontation with the dragon Querig. Themes of memory, aging, love, and loss are explored in a setting filled with buried sadness and uncertainty. The book contains sensitive topics related to memory loss, death, and violence.

A reader who would enjoy The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro is likely a fan of literary fiction with a blend of fantasy and historical elements. They appreciate rich, allegorical storytelling similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and the introspective narrative style of Ishiguro's own Never Let Me Go.

Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is praised for its evocative prose and exploration of memory, love, and loss. The novel's allegorical nature and its blending of fantasy with historical reality captivate readers. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the narrative structure disjointed, which may challenge reader engagement. Overall, the book is a thought-provoking but divisive read.

Mysterious / Contemplative / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Fantastical

- The Buried Giant marks Kazuo Ishiguro's return to speculative fiction, a departure from his typical literary fiction, after almost a decade since his previous novel, Never Let Me Go.
- Ishiguro has stated that the novel explores themes of memory and forgetting, partly inspired by the way societies deal with the aftermath of conflicts and collective memory.
- The novel is set in a mythologized post-Arthurian Britain, blending elements of historical fiction with fantasy, and includes fantastical creatures such as ogres and dragons.

**Axl**  
An elderly man and devoted husband who embarks on a journey with his wife, Beatrice, to find their son, displaying kindness and dedication throughout their quest.

**Beatrice**  
A gentle and loving woman who travels with her husband, Axl, to locate their son, often referred to as "princess" by Axl, hinting at a mysterious past.

**Wistan**  
A secretive and skilled Saxon warrior whose actions and intentions remain largely hidden, driving significant parts of the narrative.

**Edwin**  
A young Saxon boy bitten by a dragon, who becomes entwined with the warrior Wistan and demonstrates notable bravery and potential.

**Gawain**  
An aging knight of King Arthur who travels with his horse, Horace, exhibiting both chivalry and complexity in his loyalties and actions.

Kazuo Ishiguro

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Buried Giant reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Buried Giant | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Buried Giant and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Buried Giant Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part One, Chapters 1-5

The Buried Giant Part One, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part Two, Chapters 6-8

The Buried Giant Part Two, Chapters 6-8 Summary & Analysis

Part Three, Chapters 9-14

The Buried Giant Part Three, Chapters 9-14 Summary & Analysis

Part Four, Chapters 15-17

The Buried Giant Part Four, Chapters 15-17 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Buried Giant Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Buried Giant Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Buried Giant Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Buried Giant Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Buried Giant Essay Topics

The Buried Giant

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Buried Giant?

Reading Age

Book Details