It is always a pleasure to read a book by Kazuo Ishiguro, and I am excited to talk about his latest novel, Klara and the Sun. There was quite a bit of excitement over this book before it even hit the shelves, and now that it is here, it seems to have impressed both readers and critics.
The Situation: Klara spends her days in the store, making sure she does what Manager says, and presents her best self to anyone who comes in. Her favorite days are when she gets a chance to sit in the front window and look out at the sidewalk and street. Despite being an Artificial Friend, or AF, Klara is able to notice and remember quite a bit about her surroundings and what she sees. It is her intelligence that makes many afraid of her and her kind, while Manager is sure that someone will be impressed with her, so much so that they take her home to their child. Doubts begin to creep in when the newer series of AFs are made and distributed, and it looks like Klara's window of opportunity has closed. But soon, one little girl, who would periodically visit and pay special attention to Klara, is able to convince her mother that she is the AF she wants. It is clear that the young girl has some illness, but Klara has been programmed and taught to be the best companion for the child that chooses.
The Problem: It does take some adjusting, but Klara soon finds her rhythm inside of Josie's home. She gets to know the routine of both Josie and her mother, as well as Melania Housekeeper, though she remains wary of Klara and clearly uncomfortable with the presence of an AF. Josie's best friend, Rick, is also wary of Klara at first, until he understands that she only wants what is best for his friend. From Klara's limited observation, Rick is a nice boy, though somehow not quite the same as Josie and some of her other friends. There is a fundamental difference between them, and not only could this difference potentially drive them apart in the future, but it is also the reason Josie is so sick and may not survive into adulthood. A decision was made that was presented to all children, and wanting what is best for Josie, her mother agreed to it, but it took her daughter's health. But Klara believes that the sun could help. It is what gives her power to do what she does every day, so surely, it could help Josie too.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set in a not too distant future. In this future, AFs, or Artificial Friends, are a somewhat new thing, and like any new impressive technology, some want nothing to do with it, others are curious, and still others are ready to embrace it fully. Klara only wants what is best for the little boy or girl who chooses her, though while in the store, she is able to hear small snapshots of conversation around her that discuss some of the failings of other AFs. In Klara's world, artificial intelligence like her is not the only big difference between the reality in the book and our reality today. It also seems that children like Josie are given the opportunity, when they are younger, to become "lifted." Essentially, children can be genetically altered and become brighter and smarter. Those that are not lifted are looked down upon, while also being given less opportunities for success later in life. But there have also been advancements in surveillance, and education works slightly differently from what we know. It is a familiar world, but just different enough to feel alien.
My Verdict: This is a powerful book, but somehow not at all intense while reading it. This could easily be attributed to Klara the AF being the first-person narrator. She sees and observes everything objectively, just as it is, but she does not quite understand it. So the reader is given her thorough and accurate descriptions of everything, but the subtleties are lost on her. What is offered are observations about life in a store, and then observations about life in a family with a complex dynamic and history. And the plot of the book unfolds almost more like it would in a mystery novel. The clues are given out slowly, and the puzzle pieces of the world are gradually put together. It is clear that there is more to Josie's situation than her being both lifted and sick, but everything does not fall into place until Klara is able to observe more interactions, see more places, and meet more people. She may be the main character of the story we are reading, but she is not the main character of her own situation, which lends to an experience that is fascinating and revealing.
Favorite Moment: Any moment when Josie's mother is forced to contemplate what her past decisions may have done to her daughter.
Favorite Character: Rick's mother Helen is not present for the majority of the book, but she makes an impression. And despite her own issues, she holds on to her somewhat cheery disposition (much to her son's annoyance), and is not afraid to comment on issues most everyone else would like to ignore.
Recommended Reading: I recommend both Never Let Me Go and Remains of the Day.
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