Nocturnes

By Kazuo Ishiguro,

Book cover of Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall

Book description

*Kazuo Ishiguro's new novel Klara and the Sun is now available*

In Nocturnes, Kazuo Ishiguro explores ideas of love, music and the passing of time. From the piazzas of Italy to the 'hush-hush floor' of an exclusive Hollywood Hotel, the characters we encounter range from young dreamers to cafe musicians…

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

2 authors picked Nocturnes as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

In these five stories music is the catalyst that shapes the narrators’ encounters with regret, failure, and loss. Through seemingly straightforward but complex dialogue, surprising plot twists, and individual revelations, Ishiguro mixes whimsy and melancholy with moments of connection and revelation—a cocktail that is oddly comforting.   

From Edward's list on loss and discovery.

This is an interesting medley of stories by a writer I really admire. Some of them are connected by characters in common, and all set around music in some form. As usual with this writer, the prose is delicious. His depiction of twilight is particularly evocative.

My favourite story centred on an American movie actor and his wife. Their star is descending and their careers need a boost if they are to maintain their standing in the limelight. The actor hires a guitar player to serenade his wife beneath their window in Venice. That the two are deeply in love…

Want books like Nocturnes?

Our community of 10,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Nocturnes.

Browse books like Nocturnes

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in music, Venice, and jazz?

10,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about music, Venice, and jazz.

Music Explore 621 books about music
Venice Explore 67 books about Venice
Jazz Explore 126 books about jazz