Amazon.ca:Customer reviews: Klara and the Sun

Top positive review

Moving

Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2021

I never thought that I would become emotionally attached to a robot; but the author does a good job at humanizing Klara in an innocent and touching way - thus I want her to succeed. I really enjoyed this book.

I am currently enjoying another book by Kazuo Ishiguro called Never Let Me Go. I also downloaded The Remains of the Day. I think I have found a new author to follow.

4 people found this helpful

Top critical review

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Nancy Bjorgo

Klara and The Sun is a one-note novel

Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2021

Oh, oh! I'm in the position of opposing the popularity of Ishiguro's novel Klara. I had SO looked forward to reading it! But it falls short of my expectations. I'm caught up in the beginning and immediately LIKE the narrator who is a robot, but as the novel progresses, I am more and more bored by the extensive dialogue. I skimmed the last 1/4 of the novel. I am a devoted re-reader of complex novels, but not this too-simple one! I'd NEVER read it again.

10 people found this helpful

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From Canada

Nancy Bjorgo

Klara and The Sun is a one-note novel

Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2021

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10 people found this helpful

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David of West Vancouver

This book fails in characterization and also in its tech references

Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2021

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I disliked the glacial first third but found little changed As it wore on. The author claimed in interviews that he had spoken to AI gurus but he seems to have gleaned one idea (robots seeing through geometric shapes) and he must have used this about twenty times. The device of the main character not being able to grasp pronouns is also frustrating. But there is nothing or no one to follow in any depth. The main human becomes inexplicably ill and then recovers.
Very few novelists have been able to make futuristic writing interesting in a sustained way. Doris Lessing was bad and Ray Bradbury really innovative and fascinating.
But this book will waste your time if you are interested in A.I.; more so if you like character development.

8 people found this helpful

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Alma Creations

Disappointing

Reviewed in Canada on March 14, 2021

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The writing style is so dull, formulaic and unrefined that makes for a very annoying reading. The treatment of this important theme seem so childish and simplistic, nothing like the brilliant Machines Like Us by Ian McEwan. It is the second novel by Kazuo Ishiguro that disappoints me greatly. Too bad.

6 people found this helpful

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Tim Cork

Moving

Reviewed in Canada on March 18, 2021

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4 people found this helpful

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Phil B.

An Amazing and Moving Story

Reviewed in Canada on December 30, 2021

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Klara and the Sun is the kind of story that will gently sneak up on you and then devastate you! At least that's the effect it had on me. I don't understand any of the reviewers that give this incredible story less than five stars. I would surmise that most of them have read Ishiguro's previous works and may have been expecting something different from the author. I had, in a way, the advantage of never having read anything by Ishiguro before, so I was open to whatever story he was going to tell.

As a fan of xenofiction, it was fascinating for me to read the story as told by Klara, an android sold as an "artificial friend" for a girl with a life threatening illness. Klara's observations of the world and its people came across as simplistic yet highly insightful and sophisticated.

There were times when I thought I knew where the story was heading and I was completely wrong. The story's pace was steady throughout, but always interesting. The end came about naturally and without much tension and drama. In spite of that, the ending was powerful, thought-provoking, uplifting and shattering.

Klara and the Sun is a story I won't soon forget.

One person found this helpful

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H. Anzarouth

Loved it

Reviewed in Canada on March 11, 2021

Verified Purchase

I liked how the novel gives the reader a fresh new look at artificial intelligence from a different perspective. I found it to be very thought provoking. I felt emotionally attached to the central character, though only a machine. Of course, there's a lot more to it than that, and the book really speaks to human behaviour.

You'll enjoy this book if you are interested in thinking about some of the possibilities that could come from humans and androids intermingling.

I gave it a 5 because I felt it was very well written and kept my interest throughout. Gobbled it up.

3 people found this helpful

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Yacob Kobi Belanger Carroll

A good read, but not special

Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2022

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What It's About:
Klara and the Sun is a very-near-future sci-fi novel, set in a world where Artificial Friends (abbreviated to AFs) such as Klara are sold like phones to children as AI companions and helpers. This story follows Klara, starting in the shop in which she is displayed before being bought, and following her journey with the not-so perfect family that adopted her.

What I Liked About It:
This is a very character-focused book, and in that department it is well written. There is a good variety of characters in situations many are familiar with and they all have their own opinions on the central conflict.
The protagonist is also somewhat alien, with different perspectives and thoughts on the world, enough that the setting, based in contemporary-ish times, seems more distant than it really is.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Said central conflict is weakly resolved. It's not the most original plot device in the world, but it's enough for a character-driven novel like this, and I would have been content leaving the five stars for execution were it not for the fact that the author just hand-waves the problem away at the last moment, basically tacking on a "And they lived happily ever after" to the end of what would have been a halfway decent tragedy.

Who Would Like It:
If you read books for the characters and are looking for a light read, this is a decent book. Just don't expect a well written ending and you'll be fine.

Similar Books
The Always Human web-comics by Ari North, Quite similar but much better executed and free on Webtoon, so you don't lose anything by trying.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Ender Saga by Orson Scott Card, The four novels after Ender's Game are great books with excellently written philosophy and characters, but a significantly longer read than this.

Personal Commentary:
This book is alright. I treat it like a typical light novel, more words on pages than a story, and though everything is forgotten shortly afterwards, the time spent reading is nice and not truly lost. Not every book needs to be a great, world-shaking thing either.
The ending is bad, and the moment the author hinted at the ending I was praying that they were just trying to mislead me, but they didn't. Still, I liked it, but don't pay full price for this, it's not worth it.

I host reviews like these in an arguably prettier format on my website: israelkobi dot com

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Amazon Customer

Growing up, miracles and faith

Reviewed in Canada on April 21, 2021

Verified Purchase

A touching story told by an android. We see through her eyes some of the common humans stories: Love, divorce, greed, anger, strong beliefs in unlikely superstition and finally death or, at least, the road to death. Ishiguro paints vivid and real pictures the possible journeys that we all might take and the relationships along the way. His writing is beautiful and simple; touching and colourful.

One person found this helpful

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Barbara Raue

Personal Robot to care for Josie

Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2022

Verified Purchase

A dystopian novel with a robot (Artificial Friend – AF) telling the story. Genetically altered children (lifted) for greater abilities is not always successful, but unlifted children have limited opportunities. The sun is Klara’s friend and source of power.

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JoGoCo

Graceful Sadness

Reviewed in Canada on March 20, 2021

Verified Purchase

Klara has the same sadness as Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. Gracefully decline without complaint for the wonderfully developed main character. Excellent.

2 people found this helpful

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5 star		53%
4 star		28%
3 star		13%
2 star		3%
1 star		2%

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Klara and the Sun

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