This book have given me a lot to think about. It is set in near present day England, and this society is in many ways similar to current society. The dystopian elements, however, are disturbing. The book is narrated by Kathy, who looks back throughout her life and provides snapshots of different moments of her life. Throughout the book she learns (and we learn) Kathy's role in her society. She grew up in a setting that appears to be an idyllic boarding school, but she ultimately learns that she is a clone of an existing human being. She and all of her classmates have been created to serve as donors for all of the non-cloned people. Each of the donors serves a term as a carer for donors before transitioning into being a donor. Each donor donates various body parts until completing (i.e., dying). Although this is a compelling story line, it is largely the backdrop against which the central love story is set. The love story is quite sad, as Kathy and her love Tommy are kept apart by various forces.
In the end, I am sadder about the outcome of Kathy and Tommy's relationship and the meaning of their lives than either of them seemed to be. They understood their fate and seemed fairly easily resigned to it.
This book continues to raise questions about the implications of scientific progress. In this society they have cured cancer and most health conditions but only at the cost of having a second class of human beings that are created as body parts farms for first class human beings. Obviously, this is over the line, but it can be hard to see where the line is sometimes.
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