Never Let Me Go: 20

"It's like with my memories of Tommy and of Ruth. Once I'm able to have a quieter life, in whichever centre they send me to, I'll have Hailsham with me, safely in my head, and that'll be something no one can take away" (286-287).

Chapter 22 and 23 wrap up Never Let Me Go. The novel finishes with more curve balls in the action. We find out that the deferrals were nothing but rumors. Also, we find out that everything about Hailsham was just to shelter the kids from what the world really saw them as. It is bad enough that Kathy and Tommy were faced with these facts, but at least Ruth had completed and was not devastated by all of the answers Kathy and Tommy received. Also, we are again confronted with the fact that because Kathy is not a donor, she doesn't fully understand everything she thinks she does. I think Kathy longs to understand and be able to relate to Tommy as he needs, but she cannot bring herself to stop being a carer. Tommy eventually completes during his fourth donation and Kathy is left with just memories of Tommy, Ruth, and Hailsham. She will continue on in her life knowing that she has those memories and will not lose them until she too completes. I wonder how long Kathy is going to remain a carer before she finally begins donations. I wonder if watching her friends and countless strangers go through the process of donations will alter her in any way when it is her turn.

I enjoyed the novel as a whole. It was full of twists and turns. The general plot was different than anything I have ever read. The whole idea of cloning became more relevant and I learned a great deal about cloning and what it would be like to have been a clone. I think the characters throughout represent characters that everyone can identify with. Also, the plot was thrilling and the new aspects were continually revealed keeping the novel exciting. The combination of the two really drew me into the book and kept me yearning to read on and learn more.