When We Were Orphans Summary
Kazuo Ishiguro

When We Were Orphans Summary

When We Were Orphans is set in England and Shanghai prior to World War II. Christopher Banks, the narrator and main character of the story, was born and raised in Shanghai before he is sent back to live with his aunt upon the mysterious disappearance of his parents. In Shanghai, he has a Japanese friend Akira, who lives next door. When his father disappears, Akira starts a game of detectives, apparently to try to help Christopher cope with the situation. This game is at the root of the vocation he eventually chooses and attains prominence by. He becomes a detective.

In London, he quickly becomes well-renowned for his ability to solve cases that others can not. At the beginning of his career, the solving of these difficult cases in England consumes him It also satisfies him. However, as his career stabilizes, he starts to feel a necessity to return to... View more of the When We Were Orphans Summary