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lex_r's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I didn't think I was going to like this book and then I finished and I have no reason to give it anything less than a five. I was completely confused reading the whole novel, there was so little context into the world but for some reason it worked. I loved Klara and she reminded me of Wall-E, non-human but relates to human emotions beyond comprehension. I finished the book expecting the ending to gather the loose context and it didn't, but for an odd reason that was okay? Klara's story was done and her experiences left me asking so many unanswerable questions; but they have evidently been lost to time and I have to be okay with the resolution. To sum this up, I entered this book confused about Klara and the world context, left completely briefed on Klara and equally confused on world context, but is still satisfying. Also, now reflecting, this is essentially a revamp of the 2010's teenage coming of age dystopian revolution genre but better and more artistically nuanced, layered, and really a must read? Seriously it's just better, you will understand when you are done.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Terminal illness, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
theleppy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I didn't expect to come out of this book crying. It was so lovely seeing the world through the eyes of an optimistic and hopeful robot (which is such an unfair thing to call her. The book's term AF or Artificial Friend is so much more apt). I came to love Klara and the other characters flaws and all. This book is filled with such hope and sadness but it's beautiful. The way Klara sees the world is strange but beautiful. It's not a book for everyone and I say I tagged it as challenging because it doesn't hand you answers, you have to piece things together on your own and even then it's hard to grasp. It's a puzzle that is missing pieces even at the end but at the center it's beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
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