Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguru

Anyone could read this narrative at face value as a tale of how our future could look with Artificial Friends. A solution to loneliness readymade and store bought. But it takes some contemplation to see into the heart of this book. Klara and the Sun has an almost dream like quality to its style that floats you along its narrative, which is more about understanding Klara’s inner world; her philosophy than an event, though events prompt her calm analysis and decisions.

Any narrative that includes a form of artificial intelligence prompts the usual question: Could humans be replaced with AI? The question of if it is technologically possible to replace humans with AI is just the tip of a metaphorical iceberg. And we have seen this ‘tip’ explored many times in literature already. However, there is more to Klara and the Sun.

While it still hinges on the question: What makes us human? I feel this narrative takes this idea further and into the less explored questions around a connection with something greater, ideas around religion. I think Ishiguro is questioning the value and trust we put into belief systems.

The more I think about this book the more value I find in it.

- Anara

Hardback, £20 - paperback available in March 2022. Find this in the Fiction section!