Kazuo Ishiguro, Nobel Prize in Literature 2017: Official interview | Summary and Q&A

Summary

In this video, the Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro discusses various aspects of his career and influences. He talks about the importance of the Nobel Prize, being a role model, and his responsibility as a public figure. He also shares his thoughts on prizes and their use as promotional tools. Ishiguro reflects on his writing process and how he chooses genres for his work. He discusses his early influences from the world of music, his transition from songwriting to fiction, and the importance of collaboration. He mentions Charlotte Bronte as a major literary influence and shares his thoughts on other writers like Dostoevsky, Kafka, Beckett, and Pinter. Lastly, Ishiguro mentions the influence of his wife in his writing and shares advice for aspiring writers.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are Ishiguro's thoughts on being a role model?

Ishiguro believes that it is important not to be too self-conscious about being a role model. While he has always had a sense of responsibility as a public figure and writer, winning the Nobel Prize has made him more conscious of this role. He acknowledges that he now occupies a special position as a Nobel laureate and feels that he needs to be careful and only talk about things he knows about.

Q: How does Ishiguro perceive the importance of prizes like the Nobel Prize?

Ishiguro believes that the importance of any prize depends on the integrity of the people who give the prize and the history of past winners. He recognizes that prizes are often used as promotional tools or to promote political ideas. He personally turns down prizes that he believes are not aligned with his values and respects the values and past winners associated with the Nobel Prize.

Q: What themes and questions interest Ishiguro in his writing?

Ishiguro has been fascinated by individuals who struggle with their past and memories, questioning whether their lives have been wasted or if they lived by the wrong values. As he developed as a writer, he became interested in applying this question to societies and nations. He explores the struggles of nations dealing with dark or shameful memories and how it affects their present state. He particularly focuses on issues of suppressed memories and tensions within Europe, America, and Japan.

Q: How does Ishiguro choose genres for his writing?

Ishiguro explains that he does not start off with a specific genre in mind. Instead, he starts with a particular project and an abstract idea that doesn't yet have a setting. He then looks through history and different genres to find the best way to express the story. He emphasizes that he does not think about genre from the outside, but rather focuses on expressing the particular idea and only realizes the genre afterward.

Q: How did Ishiguro's interest in writing develop?

Ishiguro initially had a big ambition to be a songwriter rather than a writer. He spent a lot of time writing songs in his bedroom with a guitar, inspired by artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Joni Mitchell. However, after years of getting nowhere professionally as a singer-songwriter, he made a transition to writing short stories. Once he started writing fiction, his work was accepted and published, leading him to focus on fiction writing. Nevertheless, he continues to write song lyrics for jazz singer Stacey Kent, maintaining his connection to songwriting.

Q: Who are Ishiguro's major literary influences?

Ishiguro's major literary influence is Charlotte Bronte, particularly her books Jane Eyre and Villette. He reread these books and recognized elements he had unknowingly borrowed from them. The use of first-person narration and the idea of hidden narratives in Bronte's work became the foundation for Ishiguro's writing. He also mentions writers like Dostoevsky, Kafka, Beckett, and Pinter as influential in terms of deviating from conventional realism and exploring distortions in reality.

Q: Who has had a significant influence on Ishiguro's writing?

Ishiguro's wife, Lorna, has had a deep influence on his writing. As they were together before he started writing fiction, she has seen his growth as a writer from the very beginning. She doesn't view him as a famous author but as the post-graduate student who had an ambition to write fiction. Lorna's perspective and brutal criticism have been valuable in keeping Ishiguro grounded and helping him avoid becoming complacent as a writer.

Q: What advice does Ishiguro offer aspiring writers?

Ishiguro suggests that aspiring writers ask themselves if they genuinely want to write or if they merely desire the status or position of being a writer. He believes that many people have ambitions to be writers without actually wanting to write. It is crucial to have a special relationship with writing and a desire to create something worthwhile, regardless of commercial success or publication. Ishiguro advises aspiring writers to clarify their motives and understand if writing is genuinely their passion.

Takeaways

Kazuo Ishiguro discusses various aspects of his career, sharing insights into his writing process, influences, and advice for aspiring writers. He emphasizes the importance of being a responsible role model and staying true to one's values. Ishiguro highlights the significance of the Nobel Prize, the integrity of prizes, and the importance of memory and acknowledgment in societies. He also reflects on the impact of his wife as a trusted critic and collaborator. Overall, Ishiguro's journey as a writer underscores the need for a genuine passion for writing and a unique relationship with the craft.