Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger

Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger by Kazuo Ishiguro
An image of the publisher's book jacket
Publisher's book jacket
AuthorKazuo Ishiguro
IllustratorOliver Munday
LanguageEnglish
SubjectMystery, Espionage
GenreFiction, Comic humor
PublishedMarch 9, 2027
PublisherFaber & Faber, Alfred A. Knopf
Media typePrint, E-book, Audio
Pages240
ISBN9798217208975
OCLC1596855666
Preceded byKlara and the Sun 
WebsiteOfficial website

Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger is Kazuo Ishiguro's ninth novel which will be released in March 2027 by Faber & Faber in the United Kingdom[1] and by Alfred A. Knopf in the United States. It is a Wodehousean comedic espionage adventure tale that is set in 1930s England. It is Ishiguro's first published novel since Klara and the Sun, which was published in 2021. [1][2][3][4][5]

Plot summary

Reviewers say Ishiguro's readers will recognize that this novel is set in the same period and setting as his 1989 novel The Remains of the Day.[6][7] The novel opens in London, England in 1938, the year before World War II breaks out in the European continent. Richard Hadley meets Miss Lambert (of the title), and they bond over their shared interest in singing. When Richard follows her to a private meeting in Devon, England, she warns him not to interfere with an important project she is finishing. As Richard interacts with various people such as an old friend, a former politician, and passengers on a train, he tries to figure out the complex situation he has become involved in.[1][7]

Contrasts and influences

According to Girish Shukla, writing for Times Now, this novel is unlike Ishiguro's earlier works, which present themes of memory and human nature. Instead, this book is a 1930s espionage novel. It is structured in a genre specific style, with elements typical of classic cinema, while appearing to maintain a focus on character emotion found in his other novels.[7] Regarding influences, Ishiguro's background as a songwriter informs his writing style. He incorporates musical components, such as rhythm and emotional tone, into his prose. His word choice resembles the structure of song lyrics, which adds to the emotional focus of his stories. Consequently, his narratives aim to elicit a response comparable to the experience of listening to music.[7]

Reception

According to the Ella Creamer, writing for The Guardian, this novel is "the first novel from the Nobel laureate since 2021’s Klara and the Sun and draws on the author’s love of music, art and Golden Age cinema."[1] The Literary Hub says, "Will the beloved Booker winner known for his deceptively simple thematic explorations and capacious curiosity bring us gold again? Only time will tell... Book clubs, assemble."[4]

The Indian Express says, "Ishiguro, who is one of the most popular authors of our time, is known for his atmospheric genre-bending works, including science fiction and fantasy, that explore memory and human connection. He is known for experimenting with different genres."[5] Book Riot editors say, "If you felt a disturbance in the force earlier this week, it was probably just the Book Riot editorial team making exclamation points both literal and spiritual about the news that Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro’s next novel is a WWII spy caper."[6]

Times Now says, "...Kazuo Ishiguro returns with Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger, a 1938 spy caper mixing mystery... and the emotional unease behind his finest fiction yet... [t]his focus on emotional complexity allows readers to connect deeply with the characters' struggles and triumphs, making his works resonate on a profound level.[7] The Independent says that "Jordan Pavlin, editor-in-chief at the author’s US publisher Knopf, added: 'One feels palpable joy in the exploits of the novel’s characters, in their innate goodness and irresistible acts of heroism, in the innocence and vivaciousness that literally has them bursting into song. I defy any reader to resist Miss Lambert’s charms.'"[8]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Creamer, Ella (June 16, 2026). "Miss Lambert Steps Aboard Danger". The Guardian. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  2. ↑ Italie, Hillel (June 16, 2026). "A new Ishiguro novel heads to 1930s England, with spies, music and wit". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ Brown, Lauren (June 16, 2026). "Kazuo Ishiguro's 'disarming, exquisite' new novel". The Bookseller. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Allen, Brittany (June 16, 2026). "Kazuo Ishiguro's next novel... will be a 1930s spy caper". Literary Hub. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  5. 1 2 Staff, Deskkk (June 16, 2016). "Kazuo Ishiguro's next a spy novel set in 1930s in 2027". The Indian Express. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Schinsky, Rebecca Jones (June 17, 2026). "Kazuo Ishiguro Wrote a WWII Spy Novel!". Book Riot. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Shukla, Girish (June 17, 2026). "Nobel Prize Winner Kazuo Ishiguro Announces New 1930s Spy Novel". Times Now. Retrieved July 17, 2026.
  8. ↑ McGrath, Rachel (June 16, 2026). "Nobel Prize winner Kazuo Ishiguro announces new novel after five years". The Independent. Retrieved July 17, 2026.

Further reading

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