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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: Classism and Ableism
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, Classism, and Chronic illness
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: Death, Abandonment, Ableism, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Deadnaming, Grief, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
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: Terminal illness, Classism, Chronic illness, Grief, and Child death
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: Terminal illness, Grief, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Child death, 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: Classism and Chronic illness
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: Classism and Child death
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: Grief and Dementia
Minor: Gaslighting, Bullying, Classism, Confinement, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
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
ninahuynh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Artificial Friend, or AF, are the thing of this world. The concept of having an artificial entity aid humans has been a point of discussion in various books and films. In this case, Klara, an AF, was purchased to be Josie's companion and ultimately <Spoiler> aid her mother in the grief process that is to come when Josie eventually passes from her illness. While the summary says that the book explores the question of "what does it mean to love?", I think the crux of the story lies more upon how far would one go for love. While an AF, Klara of course has a more mechanical demeanor to things than her human counterpart; however, that does not mean that she is any less human in the way she keeps her loyalty to Josie. From the moment they promised each other in the store to the moment Josie leaves for college, Klara expression of 'love' to her human friend is comparable to that of the humans in Josie's life.
I would also say that this book opens up discussion for artificial intelligent/artificial friends' self. If Josie had not pulled through and did die from the illness , how would her mother's demeanor towards Klara change? Would Klara still be able to be Klara after 'becoming' Josie for the mother? Would it be a simple reboot or is there something more complex that would need to take place?
I would also say that this book opens up discussion for artificial intelligent/artificial friends' self.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Bullying, Chronic illness, Classism, and Terminal illness