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ghisten's review against another edition
2.0
Started off slow, then right in the middle it grabbed your attention and made you go "Oh interesting" only to end up letting you down in the end. Shouldn't have picked it back up.
mudder17's review against another edition
5.0
This is my second book by the author (the first was [b:Never Let Me Go|6334|Never Let Me Go|Kazuo Ishiguro|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1353048590l/6334._SY75_.jpg|1499998]) and as with the other book, I was sucked in by the author's prose. But this time, I felt drawn in even more by the narrator, Klara, and this book invoked many more emotions for me than the other. I felt the tension of the secret undercurrents as Klara joined Josie's household, even as Klara remained the objective observer/narrator. This is absolutely a book that should be read without reading any spoilers, but now that I'm finished, I really want to talk to someone about this book and ask questions about some of the things that was going on. This is definitely a book that I will want to read through a second time in order to catch little details that I might have missed the first time through. But yes, I also want to discuss this book with someone! Either way, if you're looking for something a little different, but that is done well, I recommend this book!
fluffysarcasm's review against another edition
4.0
Similar in themes to 'Never Let Me Go', and still pretty heart breaking.
maythetree's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Dystopian fiction done with class - it’s thoughtful and restrained, calm and double-edged. It takes work to read but it’s so unique with an atmosphere worth sitting in.
snukes's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like I need a book club discussion to really know what I just read.
The writing in this story was lovely. I instantly liked Klara, the Artificial Friend who is our story's protagonist, but it took me until the very end to realize the book was not about her at all. (Or was it?) Klara is maybe a device through which we see the real story, which is about Josie, a teenager whose genetic enhancement procedure did not exactly work as planned, and about her parents' attempts to secure her future.
The unique perspective - that of an artificial human whose grasp of the world is slightly askew - was pretty cool. Klara was presented as someone who could learn and adapt, but some aspects of the story also contradicted her ability to do so, which makes some of the parents' plans for her even more mysterious. I would have liked more explanation about what really happened with the sun, about why a creation that must be so valuable (emotionally and financially) winds up with the fate that befalls her, and whether or not there's any greater reconning with society. Maybe a lot of that is implied (in the Father's fascist ideas, in the fate of Rick, in the final conversation with the Manager?) but if so, it's a little too far beyond my grasp.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed the process of reading this book. The writing was lovely and all the half-veiled mysteries kept me coming back hoping for answers. The fact that I didn't get quite as many answers as I wanted prevented me from loving the story, though.
Ooh, also I think I'm supposed to note: I won this books in a Goodreads Giveaway (woo!) Thanks for doing those, and for un-dashing all my hopes after all these years. The review, obviously, is my honest opinion.
The writing in this story was lovely. I instantly liked Klara, the Artificial Friend who is our story's protagonist, but it took me until the very end to realize the book was not about her at all. (Or was it?) Klara is maybe a device through which we see the real story, which is about Josie, a teenager whose genetic enhancement procedure did not exactly work as planned, and about her parents' attempts to secure her future.
The unique perspective - that of an artificial human whose grasp of the world is slightly askew - was pretty cool. Klara was presented as someone who could learn and adapt, but some aspects of the story also contradicted her ability to do so, which makes some of the parents' plans for her even more mysterious. I would have liked more explanation about what really happened with the sun, about why a creation that must be so valuable (emotionally and financially) winds up with the fate that befalls her, and whether or not there's any greater reconning with society. Maybe a lot of that is implied (in the Father's fascist ideas, in the fate of Rick, in the final conversation with the Manager?) but if so, it's a little too far beyond my grasp.
Ultimately, I really enjoyed the process of reading this book. The writing was lovely and all the half-veiled mysteries kept me coming back hoping for answers. The fact that I didn't get quite as many answers as I wanted prevented me from loving the story, though.
Ooh, also I think I'm supposed to note: I won this books in a Goodreads Giveaway (woo!) Thanks for doing those, and for un-dashing all my hopes after all these years. The review, obviously, is my honest opinion.
laylarouse's review against another edition
2.0
A futuristic (dystopian) society where children are "lifted" (enhanced with DNA) and often have robot companions (AF, artificial friend). The story is told in parts - Klara (AF) experience in the store and learning about "herself", the world, life and companionship, Purchase/Bonding with Josie (her human companion), dealing with Josie's illness and the culmination of Klara's final days. Couldn't really "get" into the story. Lots of symbolism and references to the current world - and many questions left unanswered (Josie's illness, role of the son, Manager (human or AI), etc.)
kathyperry's review against another edition
3.0
Isabelle’s March selection.
Underwhelmed is how I’m left feeling upon finishing this book. It just didn’t really work for me for quite a few reasons. It is a sad commentary on human nature and where we’re potentially going with our technological, ecological and medical ‘advancements’. I didn’t mind the drip feeding of new information but didn’t like at all the lack of ‘reveals’ that could have really answered plot questions. I also didn’t get how an AI (AF in this case - artificial friend), even one who is to befriend a child (young teen) who was so able to be emotionally intelligent and able to learn through observation wasn’t supplied with even very basic information of how our world and solar system works. How could she be capable of tutoring a non-uplifted teen to help them get into university if she’s not been pre-supplied with some knowledge. Sure, she’s a quick learner, but really? Klara’s whole ‘Sun’ ideas seemed too contrived in order to create the story in my opinion. And how could she really concentrate on being a good friend when she has to spend so much of her time learning about every new experience she has, which is basically everything!? It almost seemed too convenient that, because Klara was the narrator, and because she didn’t know anything, a huge chunk of the story could be left vague, mysterious and unexplained. Not giving up on this author but definitely not raving about this book.
Underwhelmed is how I’m left feeling upon finishing this book. It just didn’t really work for me for quite a few reasons. It is a sad commentary on human nature and where we’re potentially going with our technological, ecological and medical ‘advancements’. I didn’t mind the drip feeding of new information but didn’t like at all the lack of ‘reveals’ that could have really answered plot questions. I also didn’t get how an AI (AF in this case - artificial friend), even one who is to befriend a child (young teen) who was so able to be emotionally intelligent and able to learn through observation wasn’t supplied with even very basic information of how our world and solar system works. How could she be capable of tutoring a non-uplifted teen to help them get into university if she’s not been pre-supplied with some knowledge. Sure, she’s a quick learner, but really? Klara’s whole ‘Sun’ ideas seemed too contrived in order to create the story in my opinion. And how could she really concentrate on being a good friend when she has to spend so much of her time learning about every new experience she has, which is basically everything!? It almost seemed too convenient that, because Klara was the narrator, and because she didn’t know anything, a huge chunk of the story could be left vague, mysterious and unexplained. Not giving up on this author but definitely not raving about this book.
j_j_ranvier's review against another edition
I love books about human-like AI and this had some interesting takes.
But the stuff about the sun, ya know, half the title, kinda bugged me. Cause why wouldn't they give these AIs basic knowledge of how the sun works?? I almost DNFed the book at the bit about the barn but I'm glad I kept going cause the stuff about "the portrait" turned out to be the most interesting part.
But the stuff about the sun, ya know, half the title, kinda bugged me. Cause why wouldn't they give these AIs basic knowledge of how the sun works?? I almost DNFed the book at the bit about the barn but I'm glad I kept going cause the stuff about "the portrait" turned out to be the most interesting part.