The Remains of the Day

The Remains of the Day, adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie, echoes the fictional contemplations of Stevens, an English butler reflecting on his time serving Lord Darlington, a figure whom Stevens comes to simultaneously revere and question. The book centers on Stevens’ trip away from Darlington Hall, where he served Lord Darlington and Mr. Farraday, the new owner of the estate. On his (rare) journey outside the establishment, Stevens begins to unpack the historical context of his time at Darlington Hall during the Second World War, with nuance and candor. This book offers readers a glimpse into the thought process of a man striving to understand and honor the legacy of an employer with a charming yet checkered reputation.