'Klara and the Sun', Kazuo Ishiguro- A Deep Dive and Review

Hello! I recently checked out Kazuo Ishiguro's latest novel 'Klara and the Sun' and promptly fell in love. (There are slight spoilers for the book!)
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[@fraserwilliams2414]

Had Josie not been lifted? I got the impression she had, and from the bubble game where Rick has Josie saying (poorly paraphrased) that she is ill/bed bound because her Mother had “courage”, my interpretation was the gene editing had somehow gone wrong. Also the Mother confronts Rick near the end (just before the “miracle” I believe) asking if he thinks he’s lucky that he’s heathy but basically has no prospects. It’s made clear throughout Rick hadn’t been lifted, the mothers at the party near the start gossiping for example before we have any idea what it means. I absolutely loved the book as well, as the pieces started coming together I found myself remembering and rereading parts that didn’t make much sense at the time like the bubble game. Great review cheers!

[@BobTheBookerer]

I think you’re right! Yeah, that makes a lot of sense! And thank you so much- such a beautiful book, and really glad that it got a lot of love last year!

[@thomasceneri867]

Yeah if she wasn’t lifted, there would be no issue with Rick, who isn’t lifted.

[@pokkets9284]

Great review! One of my favorite things ishiguro did in both klara and the sun and never let me go is how he kind of only allowed the reader to see certain aspects of the world because that's what the character sees. It keeps you wanting more to know what's going on and I love his writing style and how much he makes you think about humanity and souls. Such a good read

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And yes, absolutely agree! It’s so tender and sweet, but there’s also so much malice lurking in the background that we can’t fully see. It’s so great! Thank you again!

[@danielsister2467]

Ishiguro should write some black mirror episodes... just sayin’

[@BobTheBookerer]

Oh my goodness, yes! They would be disturbing but quite fun!

[@danielsister2467]

@@BobTheBookerer like every good black mirror episode! ;) lol

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@danielsister2467 Haha, very true!

[@anges_book_chatter]

This was my first Ishiguro and I love it. The vagueness of the world allowing the reader space to think about this world and what it means was amazing. By the end I loved Klara and I had a little tear. 😢

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! I absolutely agree with everything you said- very well put! And yes! I don’t know how Ishiguro did it, but I was so invested in Klara’s life.

[@courtniepollard1557]

*SPOILER* You said that Josie was a standard human who didn't have any modifications, but she was lifted, which was the reason she got sick.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ah yes, sorry, you’re absolutely right! Thanks for pointing that out!

[@Cotictimmy]

Yes you fall in with love Klara & Josie. I started out really disliking ‘The Mother’, but even as her plan is revealed, you start to realise she is she is in utter torment and racked by guilt and fear of the approaching absolute loss over everything she ever loved. She is strong and logical, & she has been indoctrinated to believe that science can solve everything. She is trying not to lose her second child in the only way she can think of. Although Klara never explicitly says so, I got the strong feeling that she completely comprehends The Mothers’s pain & desperation, and therefore feels compassion (rather than anger) at what Chrissie is attempting.

[@vaniarlander4213]

For me, This book made me feel like it subtly told the story of all our lives. I think I am doing what Klara did. That she supposed the sun was capable of helping even after her first attempt seemed to fail, is where I like to believe my spirit resides. I thought you sharing how it made you feel, is why I choose to share my thoughts too. Thank you for your truthful time.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And I love how you describe it in your comment!

[@dominichelton]

Just finished this book a few minutes ago and I can completely see an anime film adaptation by someone like Makoto Shinkai. I need this collaboration to happen because this story is beautiful

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, that sounds fantastic! I need this now!

[@EricKarlAnderson]

Really lovely to hear your thoughts and I'm so glad you found it such a moving experience reading it because I did too. It's interesting how you discuss the issue of world building and how it's perhaps not necessary for Ishiguro to fully flesh out this future society and how it's structured. Of course we only see the world through Klara's perspective so will have a limited understanding of what's going on and have to imaginatively fill things out from snippets of conversations she overhears. But I did find myself a little frustrated not getting a better idea of what was happening in the larger society and wondered if Ishiguro was getting away with referring to issues like genetic engineering and class/race segregation without really delving into them. It didn't spoil my enjoyment of the novel and I agree with so much of what you said. That question of faith and an artificial being expressing faith and the reader wanting things to work out though we know the sun can't help the girl are so beautifully portrayed.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! Yes, I did wonder if I was giving him too much of a free pass on the world building aspect, but I was so charmed by the story that I was okay to overlook it. Thinking about it now, I wonder if it would have felt strange to have it in the story, because it would have needed to either be a bit of an information dump or a somewhat awkward and clunky conversation between Klara and another character. And yes, Klara’s wishes and prayers were just so beautifully done!

[@beeabser]

I loved this book! A big message I got out of it is that the more our science tinkers with AI with the purpose of making human life “easier”, we are giving more humanity to AI, and are losing our own. First big example is the party, where the guest children consider themselves superior (against unlifted Rick), but clearly are “unsocialized” (by literally wanting to break a doll, Clara). These two characters, Rick and Clara, who are considered inferior and of less value, are the two most sympathetic. Bob, what did you think about the 7 black birds at the end?

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ooh, yes, I love how you expressed that! I hadn’t put that into words properly about the unsocialised children, but you’re so right! And I hadn’t thought too much about the birds at the end, but that’s a good point. Maybe something about fairy tales and superstition (about luck and bad omens)? I’ll have to think about that some more! How about you? Thanks again for making me think about the book in new ways!

[@beeabser]

Bob, you talk about luck and superstition. I read Hope and spiritual optimism. We first meet Rick practicing with his seven birds, obviously recognized by Klara as simple toys. At the very end, Klara, always hopeful, sits in the sunlight contentedly waiting for her adventure to continue, while we feel sadness for her, and ourselves. However the seven birds, Ricks, (seven, not six, not eight!) suddenly appear to her. Perhaps we are led by Ishiguro to believe at this time AI technology has evolved further (she is where she is remember...shhh). She clearly believes them to be real birds, but........ Perhaps humanity (our Rick) prevails, and there is a chance he (we) has devised or designed a way for humanity and AI to live harmoniously. Ishiguro is a master at making us think beyond the closed covers!

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@beeabser Oooh, I love that reading of it! Thank you! How fascinating! And yes, I love Ishiguro for keeping us thinking long after the book is finished!

[@prissilaemikobogni6161]

I’ve just finished this book and it was amazing! I felt so many emotions towards Klara and all the characters. Great review! I have never ready any of his book before, but I’m planning to.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, so glad you enjoyed it! And yes, it’s quite beautiful! Thank you so much! Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day are the two that most people seem to like most of his (I also really like When We Were Orphans).

[@marcpersonalvideos]

What a thoughtful, insightful and lovely review, Bob. Just finished the novel tonight here in Melbourne. And you video was a great bookend. Thank you.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much- that's very kind of you to say! Glad to hear you enjoyed the book!

[@yoshitomosaito8879]

I wear a pair of glasses when I deal with computer or reading books. But as I look at mountains from my daily spot in Denver Colorado, I can see the peaks very clearly without glasses. Metaphorically speaking, Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun requires reading glasses when I enjoy the details of writing, but I can clearly see the long view of the story without any aid of glasses. Having said that, I don’t feel like it’s necessarily to decide whether the book is success or failure.

[@BobTheBookerer]

That’s a beautiful way of describing it- thank you, I love that!

[@Kimromero1219]

Just finished it and immediately wanted to watch your video to get your thoughts. I loved it. I fell in love with Klara too.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, thank you so much! And yes, such a beautiful book!

[@boonwolf9266]

I'm glad it ended when it did, I really don't want to cry. Beautiful ending Can also find it free audio book on KZbin

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yes! Such an emotional book, right? And ooh, I’d be intrigued to hear the audiobook for it! Thanks!

[@boonwolf9266]

@@BobTheBookerer the one I played had some audio issues for the first hour or 2. Didn't play the 2nd version. Still feel the story was a bit lite in the middle. If she was a AF seemed to have very little friends iterations

[@lesleysprague1158]

I sobbed for 3 hours after I finished the book.

[@karlapadilla]

I loved this video ☺️ felt like listening to a friend ramble

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, thank you so much!

[@klaraskoj7056]

So true!! Felt like discussing with a friend😊

[@LarryHasOpinions]

i reviewed this myself recently but unfortunately i wasn't as enthusiastic as you seem to be. I found it quite underwhelming i'm afraid, although i still enjoyed listening to your review :-)

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much! And not a problem- I totally see why people did not get on with it as much as I did, and I’m excited to check out your review!

[@LarryHasOpinions]

@@BobTheBookerer I really don't think it would have had all these positive reviews if ishiguro wasn't the author, at least imho

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@LarryHasOpinions Yeah, I have been wondering this. I definitely think it would have taken me a lot longer to come around to reading it if it hadn’t been by him, and maybe I gave it more of a free pass because it’s him, but I was still really moved by the story.

[@JeremyHelm]

11:54, 12:21, 12:46 reminds me of the selfless striving of Daneel and Giskard in Isaac Asimov's novel Robots and Empire

[@Merrick]

My 2nd Ishiguro, and if the name wasn't on the cover I never would have known.

[@nal3454]

thank you very much, you are so good

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you!

[@mariozhivago]

We don't get all the information that because we see the world from the eyes of Klara..

[@attention5638]

I have been hearing so many mixed reviews about this,, I keep going up and down with it. However, I do really want to read Ishiguro, bur have no idea where to even start. I was thinking on "Never Let Me Go" as it seems to me, the main one that is talked about. Any suggestion? This one and "Never Let Me Go" may be the only two I have actually heard of his. 😬

[@BobTheBookerer]

Totally fair- it seems to have divided people a bit more than his others, and I can see why. Yeah, I’d say ‘Never Let Me Go’ and ‘The Remains of the Day’ are good starting points for him, and are two of his most well-known ones (for good reason, I think!)

[@ravenpicks]

Thanks !

[@Kat-V]

I was quite disappointed by the ending. I was expecting a sad ending, but a beautifully sad one. What I got instead was a fairytale ending that felt out of place with the whole message of the book. It made me wonder if Ishiguro is religious because I thought it would have been good for Klara's character growth to learn that the Sun does not have magical effects on humans, but he allowed her to keep believing it does. It just felt wrong

[@kateclarke9038]

It leaves you more puzzled, where is the dad living in some fascist state? If the lonely prairies are better to live in than the polluted city what's causing the pollution? What is the future of Klara when she is siezed up and in a junkyard? Spending the rest of eternity worshipping the sun?

[@FIT2BREAD]

Nice review. While I was dissapointed with this, especially compared to his other work, I appreciate your points for why you liked it.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you! And I can imagine- although I loved it, it definitely felt a bit different from some of his other work. He’s a bit of a shapeshifter as a writer- this, Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go and Pale View of the Hills feel like they had different authors in some ways, but I was just very charmed by this book.

[@FIT2BREAD]

@@BobTheBookerer for me, in comparison to other books, others that i feel dipped into the same themes, especially, "what does it mean to be human," this fell short and could not compare. I saw so many positive reviews, and frankly just chalked it up to folks being caught up in Ishiguro hype. I liked your video because it took me out of my "arrogant" judgement and I could really get a feel for how someone could authentically enjoy it. I always subscribe to the joy of books including the idea that people can have vastly different reacfion to the same book, this was just one I couldn't wrap my head around the praise.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@FIT2BREAD That’s totally fair- I haven’t really read too many books on that theme, so I guess maybe Klara felt a little fresher, but I can totally see how that would be the case. I also have a bit of a soft spot for non-human characters doing tender things, so the bit where Klara prayed to the Sun was the kind of thing I adore. Thank you, though- really appreciate it! I was worried that my love of Ishiguro biased it (it probably did, at least a little) but I’m glad it didn’t come across as an Ishiguro love-fest!

[@FIT2BREAD]

@@BobTheBookerer i should also qualify that I am sure i do that with certain authors, I mean I have a number of authors that I would read and love everything they write and of course my love of the author has to have some impact pushing my enjoyment beyond a weaker work.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@FIT2BREAD Definitely! I am sure we all do it! I am scared to go back and re-read some books I adored from my favourite writers in case I see things I overlooked the first time! I definitely go into every book by Ali Smith, Yann Martel and JM Coetzee knowing that I will probably like it a lot! It's difficult to unpick whether you like the book because it's by a favourite author, or whether the author is your favourite because they create books you love.

[@Fuhugawagah]

5:58 edited as this was already pointed out.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Thank you, and no worries- I somehow missed that entirely when I was reading, but you’re absolutely right! Thank you!

[@johndixon473]

Dude did you really just say Josie wasn’t lifted? Did you even read the book? She is lifted and her illness is a consequence of that. Rick is the child in the book that isn’t lifted, not Josie.

[@johndixon473]

05:55

[@BobTheBookerer]

Sorry, yes, I think you’re right. It’s been a long time since I read the book, but that sounds right. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@jealousgrandmaster150]

I just got halfway through and I’m not feeling it so I came here

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, fair enough, and thanks for stopping by! What are you not feeling about it?

[@Tiigerific]

I disliked the book. It had nothing to offer, was annoying, lengthy, mumbling and with no new point to think about.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Ahh, fair enough! I think it’s definitely divided people a lot more than his previous work!

[@maxcool7351]

I also found it kind of vague, in tempo and in moral. That last chapter really hit me hard, though.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@maxcool7351 Ahh, definitely fair. I found the end really powerful too, but yes, as much as I loved it, I entirely see why it missed the mark for lots of people!

[@MsDidi38]

It had lots of deeper themes which are conveyed with subtlety. You have to take time to think about them. What makes a person unique? Can they be replaced by someone very similar and still be loved by those closest to them? What does it say about humans when an AI shows more understanding of our needs than other humans? And other ideas that you think about after you've finished reading. That is the authors talent.

[@aminkh6872]

You're so biased towards this book. I didn't like this book. It's too simple and I feel kind of wasting my time reading this book. What I personally call a great novel? Something like unbearable lightness of being by Kundera

[@Merrick]

My 2nd Ishiguro, and if the name wasn't on the cover I never would have known.

[@BobTheBookerer]

Yeah, this one does feel a bit different! What is the other one of his you’ve read?

[@Merrick]

@@BobTheBookerer When We Were Orphans, which i guess is a less revered novel. I'm impressed by an author who can change their voice to suit the story so perfectly. Especially when one is a detective from the 30's and the other is a sentient AI gaining consciousness in maybe the not too distant future. I suppose I'll have to read Never Let Me Go at some point.

[@BobTheBookerer]

@@Merrick ahhh, I loved that book! When We Were Orphans feels really quite different to me in terms of style, Klara is a bit of a departure too, but maybe closer to some of this other ones. Never Let Me Go was stunning, I thought! I’d suggest reading it first before seeing the film, mostly because there are some details that I think are more surprising for the first time in the book.

[@Merrick]

@@BobTheBookerer I was going to ask the discord about whether to watch it first (there's a better chance of me liking both if i watch the adaptation first, unless it gives away things better discovered in the read). I'm also looking at the Buried Giant or even Nocturnes or the Unconsoled. What do you think?