Klara and the Sun: A GMA Book Club Pick

ByKazuo Ishiguro

Release Date: 2021-03-02
Genre: Literary Fiction

Score: 4

From 2,189 Ratings

Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Once in a great while, a book comes along that changes our view of the world. This magnificent novel from the Nobel laureate and author of Never Let Me Go is “an intriguing take on how artificial intelligence might play a role in our futures ... a poignant meditation on love and loneliness” (The Associated Press). • A GOOD MORNING AMERICA Book Club Pick!

Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her. Klara and the Sun is a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator, and one that explores the fundamental question: what does it mean to love?

Reviews

Truly, deeply memorable
5
By bixv
Best read slowly and with the same attention to detail that Klara demonstrates.
A wonderfully emotional ride
5
By Cosmic_Pearl
This book was beautifully written. I found myself sometimes re-reading whole pages to be able to process the beauty of what was said. The main character - Klara - is relatable and fascinating. The plot progresses naturally and makes you want to keep flipping pages to reach the conclusion. Most of all, this book provides a fresh point of view of what it means to love and be human.
Really cute story.
4
By paige<33
I loved this quick read. There was so much symbolism between the relationship with Josie and Klara. What the AFs meant to people and what they provided the teenagers. The Sun too. It was beautifully written and ended in the perfect way.
Wish it had more
2
By EmmStro
There was so much left unanswered. The book never drew me in, I kept waiting for the story to grip me- it missed the mark for me.
Low impact story line
2
By VastOzone
Not much density in this rather quaint story. I was waiting for something substantial to happen but it never arrived. Not really Sci-fi. Pretty much just a contemporary story about a child and her caregiver.
Thank you, Dear Author
5
By k10ca
One of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching, thought-provoking books I’ve ever read. Sir Kazuo Ishiguro creates as vivid and poignant a world in “Klara” as he did in “Never Let Me Go.” He allows space for the reader to discover her own associations, emotional and intellectual, to the themes he explores. My experience of reading this book calls to mind my experience of psychoanalysis, how intense the emotional bond is between the analytic pair, a bond that’s strong enough to bear contact with the truth of what’s inside our minds and hearts.
Ishiguro is magic
4
By Akamba
This book starts somewhat slowly, but gets ever more engaging.

As the story becomes more established, Ishiguro creates moments that are utterly unique to his writing. Scenarios that he portrays with a kind of fidelity to reality that I’ve never seen elsewhere. I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll say that as with his other books, he finds nuances in the relationship between emotions and behavior that are beyond uncanny.

Another marvel from this remarkable artist.
Hinted at some interesting themes
3
By ciretsof
But just never grabbed me. I wasn’t able to form relationships with or feelings for the characters. I finished, dutifully, and it’s not a _bad_ book, but also not what I’d consider great literature.
Thought provoking but not for everyone
5
By Nomis_encore
This is REAL science fiction that actually questions life and that nature of humanity. Yes, the writing style is simple and not overly complicated but that is a GOOD thing. No bothering with useless clutter words that say the same thing, just take up more space. The reason the style is so plain is because the story is from the POV of an android
Fascinating!
5
By Bluegrass Shopper
Much to think about in this novel! Our increasing dependence on technology to “experience” life carries a variety of risks along with advantages.