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Want more deets? We've also got a complete Online Course about Never Let Me Go, with three weeks worth of readings and activities to make sure you know your stuff.

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Okay, Shmoopers, let's conduct an experiment. When we say "1990s," you jot down the first things that come to mind. Ready? Set? 1990s!

• Here's our list:
• The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
• The Rachel
• *N Sync and the Backstreet Boys
• Denim overalls and baggy pants
• Saved by the Bell 
• Boomboxes
• Spice Girls

Now open up the first page of Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. It takes place in England in the late 1990s, so we should see at least one of our '90s associations in there, right? Nope. Zilch.

Instead we get weird words like "carers" and "donors" and a bleak visit of a not so jolly olde England. Maybe it's just us, but this definitely isn't the '90s we were thinking of.

There's no doubt about it: Never Let Me Go gives us a picture of the '90s that isn't nearly as pretty as the folks on 90210. In the book, we find a dystopia where everything seems perfect. But the sad truth is that this world isn't perfect for everyone. And it's definitely not perfect for Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three friends who grow up together only to discover their terrible fate.

We don't want to spill all the beans here, so we'll just say this: Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are in for a wild ride. Over time, they'll learn about their true (and dark) purpose in this funky world and why they have had such a special childhood. See, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy aren't exactly human like the rest of us… or are they? And what does it even mean to be human in the first place? While they wrestle with that question themselves they'll also figure out just how important friendship and their memories of growing up together will be in the face of some seriously high stakes.

If that all sounds scintillating, we can assure you: most folks agree. When Ishiguro published Never Let Me Go in 2005, it flew off the shelves. And it's still flying. In fact, it's so popular that it's now one of the hottest books showing up on syllabi from high school to college. Plus there's the fact that the novel was nominated for all kinds of awesomesauce awards, including the Man Booker Prize. What can we say? This book's kind of a big deal.

And now, you'll have an extra treat when you've finished Never Let Me Go. Not only can you spend hours and hours on Shmoop scoping out all the Never Let Me Go goodies we've worked up for your delight, but you can also watch Mark Romanek's 2010 movie version starring Keira Knightley. Give a watch and see how it stacks up against the novel.

There are oodles of reasons to pick up Never Let Me Go and—dare we say it?—never let it go. But here's our reason numero uno: friends.

Say it with us: friends rock. Whether it's heading out on a road trip, hitting up a concert, or just grabbing a bite to eat, life would be pretty stinkin' dull without good buds with whom to share good times.

But the truth is that not all friendships are perfect. You know what we're talking about. There are bound to be fights, squabbles, and even fallings out. But hey, having experienced all these things means you'll fit right in with Kathy and her pals. Never Let Me Go gives us a good long look at what happens when friendships don't always go according to plan. Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy have had their fair share of tiffs and bruised egos. The trio has even gone years without talking.

But even with all this baggage, their friendships still endure the test of time (and a bunch of other tests, to boot). In the end, they're Best Friends Forever. And reading about this trio may just make you a better friend, too. The next time you come close to dropping your bestie for eating all your French fries, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy just might make you think twice.