Klara and the Sun Book Summary

In 'Klara and the Sun,' Kazuo Ishiguro explores the profound bond between an artificial friend, Klara, and the human world she longs to understand. Set in a dystopian future where 'AFs' or Artificial Friends are companions for children, Klara's observations reveal deep truths about love, loneliness, and the essence of being human. As Klara is chosen by a little girl named Josie, she becomes intertwined in the family's complexities and secrets. The narrative raises haunting questions about the nature of consciousness and the sacrifices made for love. Will Klara's unique perspective illuminate the path to Josie's well-being, or will she uncover darker realities? The journey promises to challenge your perceptions of friendship and what it means to truly connect.

By Kazuo Ishiguro

Published: 2021

"'The sun, as I understand it, is a giver of life and energy, but also a witness to our struggles and sorrows. In its warmth, we seek connection, and in its light, we find clarity amid the shadows of existence.'"

Book Review of Klara and the Sun

NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER • 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! “What stays with you in ‘Klara and the Sun’ is the haunting narrative voice—a genuinely innocent, egoless perspective on the strange behavior of humans obsessed and wounded by power, status and fear.” —Booker Prize committee 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?

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'The sun, as I understand it, is a giver of life and energy, but also a witness to our struggles and sorrows. In its warmth, we seek connection, and in its light, we find clarity amid the shadows of existence.'

Klara and the Sun

By Kazuo Ishiguro