Never Let Me Go — Kazuo Ishiguro

Gradually, through hints from their teachers and their own observations, the characters realize that they are not ordinary people, but clones. Their sole purpose is to become donors of vital organs for “real” people. Their lives will end at the age of 20–30 after several rounds of organ harvesting.

Key themes of the book:

Humanity and the soul: Why did the teachers collect the students’ drawings in the “Gallery”? To prove to society that clones also have souls and are capable of feeling.

Desperate Hope: There is a legend among the students that a couple who truly love each other can be granted a “reprieve” of several years of happy life.

Resignation: The most shocking thing about the book is that the characters don’t even try to rebel or escape. They accept their fate as a given, simply trying to find time to experience closeness and warmth.