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jefferz's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
For two hundred pages I questioned why I was reading Klara and the Sun which for the most part, is a introspective and quiet story of an AF (artificial friend, think of M3gan without the horror malfunctioning) observing and learning from human activity around in her adopted household. An artificial friend resembling a doll of sorts, Klara spends an awful lot of time thinking about the sun (yes there's reasons for that) and watching over a young but weak girl named Josie and her childhood life. However, there are signs and a slow foreboding sense that nothing's is quite right but it takes a close look to notice it under Klara's well-meaning yet unreliable narration.
(On an unrelated note this book was an absolute pain to get and read for me locally, I had to wait 6 months on a library hardcopy waitlist and the ebook copy I had a hold for still currently has a 20+ week wait).
To say anymore would potentially give away the surprises and dark developments left in the last 100 pages, but needless to say things go dystopian really really fast. I'm accustomed to the more stereotypical takes on the dystopian genres such as oppressively political regimes (ie. The Giver, Hunger Games Series, 1984) or the scifi-infused variety (ie. Snowpiercer, Elysium, Severence), but this is the first time I read or watched this unique flavor or futuristic dystopia. Ishiguro is known for this type of sci-fi work, but Klara and the Sun's dystopia is devoid of violence, politics (in a bureaucratic manner), mass death/kills, etc. Instead it focuses on a not so distant future where AI/AF develop the skills to emulate and ultimately replace humanity, where children are genetically modified to enhance their intelligence with potentially lethal drawbacks, and people lose touch of their reality. It's dark topics but not in the traditional sense at all.
While I was on the fence for most of the book, the last 100 pages really reminded me a lot of Flowers for Algernon in that both novels feature a hopeful yet naïve protagonist who don't quite see the world and people around them for what it is. The prose is simplistic and childlike but that's 100% by design. Ishiguro nails both the wonder children experience when seeing new things as well how impressionable they can be. Needless to say every adult human and parent in this novel is heavily flawed, morally questionable and you will either be caught in disbelief or horror at the things they say or worse, what they believe similar to Charlie in Flowers for Algernon slowly discovering that nobody in his life was who he thought they were (the difference is you the reader sees the horror of the situation while Klara's AI/AF understanding doesn't).
I have the feeling most readers will gloss over it but apart from the obvious topics of AI, I found there to be some interesting unrelated commentary and metaphors. Early in the story Klara witnesses what could be considered a miracle, elevating the sun from a mere energy source (think of it like a solar battery for her) to something akin to a religion that gives her hope and faith. There are also trace elements of fascism and social inequality based on the "lifted" nature of children vs natural non-lifted and even bits of grassroot, alternative lifestyle/aspirational life goals. SpoilerKlara's eventual slow "fade" is also presented in a way that to me resembles dementia with the visual description memories and context blurring together and the physical loss of motion. This may carry more mileage for me as one of my grandparents' dementia is accelerating. These are less developed than themes already presented, but their inclusion elevates it's narrative and commentary for me well beyond the typical "resist the brainwashing and rise up in arms!" tropes of the genre. Anyone who says Klara and the Sun is simple or half-baked wasn't paying attention or cant read between the lines. There are also some truly great quotes:
(On an unrelated note this book was an absolute pain to get and read for me locally, I had to wait 6 months on a library hardcopy waitlist and the ebook copy I had a hold for still currently has a 20+ week wait).
To say anymore would potentially give away the surprises and dark developments left in the last 100 pages, but needless to say things go dystopian really really fast. I'm accustomed to the more stereotypical takes on the dystopian genres such as oppressively political regimes (ie. The Giver, Hunger Games Series, 1984) or the scifi-infused variety (ie. Snowpiercer, Elysium, Severence), but this is the first time I read or watched this unique flavor or futuristic dystopia. Ishiguro is known for this type of sci-fi work, but Klara and the Sun's dystopia is devoid of violence, politics (in a bureaucratic manner), mass death/kills, etc. Instead it focuses on a not so distant future where AI/AF develop the skills to emulate and ultimately replace humanity, where children are genetically modified to enhance their intelligence with potentially lethal drawbacks, and people lose touch of their reality. It's dark topics but not in the traditional sense at all.
While I was on the fence for most of the book, the last 100 pages really reminded me a lot of Flowers for Algernon in that both novels feature a hopeful yet naïve protagonist who don't quite see the world and people around them for what it is. The prose is simplistic and childlike but that's 100% by design. Ishiguro nails both the wonder children experience when seeing new things as well how impressionable they can be. Needless to say every adult human and parent in this novel is heavily flawed, morally questionable and you will either be caught in disbelief or horror at the things they say or worse, what they believe similar to Charlie in Flowers for Algernon slowly discovering that nobody in his life was who he thought they were (the difference is you the reader sees the horror of the situation while Klara's AI/AF understanding doesn't).
I have the feeling most readers will gloss over it but apart from the obvious topics of AI, I found there to be some interesting unrelated commentary and metaphors. Early in the story Klara witnesses what could be considered a miracle, elevating the sun from a mere energy source (think of it like a solar battery for her) to something akin to a religion that gives her hope and faith. There are also trace elements of fascism and social inequality based on the "lifted" nature of children vs natural non-lifted and even bits of grassroot, alternative lifestyle/aspirational life goals. SpoilerKlara's eventual slow "fade" is also presented in a way that to me resembles dementia with the visual description memories and context blurring together and the physical loss of motion. This may carry more mileage for me as one of my grandparents' dementia is accelerating. These are less developed than themes already presented, but their inclusion elevates it's narrative and commentary for me well beyond the typical "resist the brainwashing and rise up in arms!" tropes of the genre. Anyone who says Klara and the Sun is simple or half-baked wasn't paying attention or cant read between the lines. There are also some truly great quotes:
SpoilerMr Capaldi believed there was nothing special inside Josie that couldn't be continued. He told the Mother he'd searched and searched and found nothing like that. But I believe now he was searching in the wrong place. There was something very special, but it wasn't inside Josie. It was inside those who loved her.
-Klara
To say the least Klara and the Sun can be polarizing; my own experience and journey reading Klara was polarizing itself. While it certainly wasn't the most enjoyable read in the moment with its slow deliberate build-up into it's grimly dark (and very current/relevant) concepts questioning humanity, artificial intelligence, and technology, it's certainly a novel I am thankful to have read and experienced. And again while trying to avoid spoilers, the final part also heavily captures the same emotional ending and impact Flowers for Algernon did for me years ago with Klara's journey reaching its sunset (sorry the sun pun was too tempting).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Grief and Classism
evelynepisodes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I loved the premise of this book initially, but like other Japanese books I’ve read it just went on without really adding anything interesting. The middle was exciting but the late start and end were quite disappointing. Like why do we need to know about the intricacies of their life when it hasn’t added anything? Personally I think this had such an interesting idea I just think the ending should’ve been tackled better and the pacing needs to be fixed. I almost wanted to give up on it around page 250 - but preserve if you can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Ableism and Classism
Minor: Racism
redvelveting's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
This book is written so beautifully. While the plot may not be the most thrilling at times, I loved Klara’s characterization. I thought the author did a wonderful job portraying how someone like her would see the world. Typically, the vagueness would annoy me but somehow it worked really well in this book; it didn’t need all the nitty gritty details to make the characters compelling. The language and style were just so dainty and pretty.
Additionally, the human characters just felt so real. They all had their highs and lows and were full of so many different emotions and behaviours; there were even some that were more destructive or problematic and even illogical but still realistic and understandable. The author gave the characters a lot of dimension in this way.
I also loved the idea ofa solar-powered artificial intelligence basically worshipping the sun. Not only did it make a great allegory for religious devotion and faith, but it just made sense.
Honestly when I was approaching the end I was originally going to rate this lower but the ending really sold me.Klara is content in the life she was able to live but it made me so sad to see her just thrown away like that after everything she did; a hard truth in real life I suppose.
Additionally, the human characters just felt so real. They all had their highs and lows and were full of so many different emotions and behaviours; there were even some that were more destructive or problematic and even illogical but still realistic and understandable. The author gave the characters a lot of dimension in this way.
I also loved the idea of
Honestly when I was approaching the end I was originally going to rate this lower but the ending really sold me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, and Classism
333amreen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The first half was really hard to get through because it felt like the whole purpose of the book was basically just Klara observing here surroundings & so I often thought of DNF-ing the book, but I'm so glad I continued reading. Little did I know how meaningful those observations would prove to be & so the latter half really got me thinking. I think this book conveys a beautiful and thought provoking insight into the human heart, I don't mean simply the organ obviously. I'm speaking in the poetic sense. The human heart. I do infact think there is such a thing, something that makes each of us special and individual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, and Classism
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read The Remains of the Day ages ago and struggled to stay engaged. So I was expecting something just as sludgy, but you’d one was endearing and so distant. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Grief, and Classism
kurumipanda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Emotional abuse, and Classism
Minor: Dementia
lancemama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Classism
Minor: Mental illness
usuallyaudio's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
I couldn't tell if most of the questions I had during the book were left unaswered until near the end on purpose, or to intentionally leave readers wondering. (ex. being 'lifted') I found that some of the dialogue was very abrubt or rigid, which makes sense in Klara's case, as she is an AI (or AF). But when the parents would speak to each other or otherwise, it didn't feel natural.
I was also a bit confused about Klara's vision being in boxes- I didn't realize it was her POV for a while. My guess was that whatever she saw that grabbed most attention would take up more boxes?
Ms Helen and Paul's conversation about him and his group being facists and him denying it seemed to come out of nowhere, then wasn't really brought up again.
I felt like most things we learned about the father didn't advance the plot, or hold any interest, but maybe that's just me. This read is my first ever for a book club, and I'm looking forward to discussing it with other people!
I was also a bit confused about Klara's vision being in boxes- I didn't realize it was her POV for a while. My guess was that whatever she saw that grabbed most attention would take up more boxes?
I felt like most things we learned about the father didn't advance the plot, or hold any interest, but maybe that's just me. This read is my first ever for a book club, and I'm looking forward to discussing it with other people!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Child death and Classism
arlaubscher's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Slavery, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Dementia and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Gaslighting, and Classism
julieyael's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had sile difficulties with this book. I found it hard to understand everything that was going on in the world building, probably because we only have the point of view of the android/AA.
Lots of things are subject to interpretation and I found the style a bit complicated.
Also it’s a bit of a dystopian world, which I am not a fan of, and the global tone was pretty sad in my opinion.
The themes are interesting and there is some reflection to have, but I was not convinced by the point of the whole story.
I found the plot pretty weak too.
Not a bad book, but I would’t read it again nor recommend it.
Lots of things are subject to interpretation and I found the style a bit complicated.
Also it’s a bit of a dystopian world, which I am not a fan of, and the global tone was pretty sad in my opinion.
The themes are interesting and there is some reflection to have, but I was not convinced by the point of the whole story.
I found the plot pretty weak too.
Not a bad book, but I would’t read it again nor recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, and Classism
Minor: Mental illness