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hannahr's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Kazuo Ishiguro is truly a master of slow, uncomfortable, disorienting, stunning prose. Klara is an AF--an Artificial Friend--who begins her conscious existence in a store, eagerly observing anything she can of the outside world, seeking to understand and empathize with the human experience, and waiting for a child to choose her and take her home. When Klara gets her turn at the shop window, she is mesmerized by all of the activity and her unfettered access to the sun's strengthening power. She basks in the light, noticing and asking questions of the world beyond the store, and I was completely enamored of her from the very first line.
Sura Siu narrates this perfectly, capturing Klara's innocence and curiosity with just the slightest lilt indicate, as Ishiguro's writing itself does, that something is not quite right, that Klara's questions and observations go beyond her individual interest to make a statement about the state of the world. Indeed, the questions that this book explores about the role of technology, our desires for our children's success, the essence of the human condition, are universal and relevant.
When Klara is finally chosen by Josie to come home with her, her observations are unceasing, and the slow build of the plot and the relationships reaches a dramatic, devastating climax. As Klara attempts to protect Josie and her family and navigates her own experience of under-developed emotions (she is a robot, after all), her endearing innocence and determination carry the story through to a heart-breaking, quiet conclusion.
Despite my belief in the absolute beauty of this book, it didn't receive 5 stars from me because a few too many things were left unexplained. The critique of pollution was interesting but minimally contributed to the plot, serving primarily to create additional suspense that, in my opinion, was unnecessary. Furthermore, I wanted more explicit explanation of Klara's sight blocks and what it meant to be lifted. Ishiguro's writing is effective to a large extent because it is eerie and unclear, but I was left with a few too many questions about these elements to be 5 star-satisfied.
Sura Siu narrates this perfectly, capturing Klara's innocence and curiosity with just the slightest lilt indicate, as Ishiguro's writing itself does, that something is not quite right, that Klara's questions and observations go beyond her individual interest to make a statement about the state of the world. Indeed, the questions that this book explores about the role of technology, our desires for our children's success, the essence of the human condition, are universal and relevant.
When Klara is finally chosen by Josie to come home with her, her observations are unceasing, and the slow build of the plot and the relationships reaches a dramatic, devastating climax. As Klara attempts to protect Josie and her family and navigates her own experience of under-developed emotions (she is a robot, after all), her endearing innocence and determination carry the story through to a heart-breaking, quiet conclusion.
Despite my belief in the absolute beauty of this book, it didn't receive 5 stars from me because a few too many things were left unexplained. The critique of pollution was interesting but minimally contributed to the plot, serving primarily to create additional suspense that, in my opinion, was unnecessary. Furthermore, I wanted more explicit explanation of Klara's sight blocks and what it meant to be lifted. Ishiguro's writing is effective to a large extent because it is eerie and unclear, but I was left with a few too many questions about these elements to be 5 star-satisfied.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, and Grief
rorikae's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
In 'Klara and the Sun,' Kazuo Ishiguro proves his mastery of tackling large, existential questions through the small moments of life.
The story follows Klara, an AF or Artificial Friend, who is waiting to be purchased in a shop. Klara is particularly observant and she watches the world around her to learn more. Eventually, she is taken home by a family to be the companion for their daughter, Josie, a young girl who is suffering from an illness.
Similar to 'Never Let Me Go,' Ishiguro sets us down in a world that is near future and we get to learn the world through the eyes of someone who is new to it. We progress in understanding along with them and this not only frames the story successfully but it also creates connection between the reader and the protagonist. Even though Klara is an AF, she is deeply observant and tries to piece together the world surrounding her so that she can understand it. She tries to understand society, relationships, and what makes humanity human. Through her simple observations, Ishiguro comments on each of these things in profound ways. I would recommend going into this book knowing as little about it as possible because seeing the way that the world unfolds around Klara is both magical and unsettling. Things in this world don't seem quite right and getting to explore how this is true is part of the magic of this book.
Ishiguro is one of my favorite authors because of his quiet commentary. How he uses small everyday moments to explore the much larger questions about life. He has succeeded at this again in Klara and the Sun and I can't recommend it enough, especially if you have read 'Never Let Me Go' and enjoyed it. This would be a perfect book club read as the large themes and subtle commentary demand to be unpacked.
The story follows Klara, an AF or Artificial Friend, who is waiting to be purchased in a shop. Klara is particularly observant and she watches the world around her to learn more. Eventually, she is taken home by a family to be the companion for their daughter, Josie, a young girl who is suffering from an illness.
Similar to 'Never Let Me Go,' Ishiguro sets us down in a world that is near future and we get to learn the world through the eyes of someone who is new to it. We progress in understanding along with them and this not only frames the story successfully but it also creates connection between the reader and the protagonist. Even though Klara is an AF, she is deeply observant and tries to piece together the world surrounding her so that she can understand it. She tries to understand society, relationships, and what makes humanity human. Through her simple observations, Ishiguro comments on each of these things in profound ways. I would recommend going into this book knowing as little about it as possible because seeing the way that the world unfolds around Klara is both magical and unsettling. Things in this world don't seem quite right and getting to explore how this is true is part of the magic of this book.
Ishiguro is one of my favorite authors because of his quiet commentary. How he uses small everyday moments to explore the much larger questions about life. He has succeeded at this again in Klara and the Sun and I can't recommend it enough, especially if you have read 'Never Let Me Go' and enjoyed it. This would be a perfect book club read as the large themes and subtle commentary demand to be unpacked.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Chronic illness
fiainkvinna's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Bullying, Grief, and Ableism
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