Welcome back to Books With Cause. Let’s dive straight into my latest review.
From Matt Haig to another author I’ve been sleeping on a little. Before embarking on this adventure, I had read Never Let Me Go, which I think is an amazing book. When I find an author that I enjoy, I’m always curious to read more of their work. It was only a matter of time before I checked this one out, but the forthcoming release of the film adaptation, directed by Taika Waititi, has sped me up a little. You know me. I’m one of those who likes to read the book before I see the film.
Klara and the Sun takes place in a dystopian version of the United States. The story is told from the perspective of Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF), which is like a hyper-realistic and exceptionally intelligent android who is powered by solar energy. In this world, some children are genetically engineered to make them more academic. Because of that, the majority of those children learn from home and become lonely. Wealthy families buy AFs, such as Klara, to keep their children company.
At the beginning of the book, Klara “lives” in a store among other AFs waiting to be sold. The manager of the store rotates the stock around and gives each AF an opportunity to be in the display window, where they stand a better chance of being spotted by a passer-by. Klara particularly enjoys being in the window as she gets to observe the world outside. She especially enjoys watching the Sun, which she believes is a living entity.
Klara is eventually chosen by a 14-year-old girl named Josie. Klara then goes off to live with Josie and her family. Klara believes she has found her purpose in looking after Josie, being her friend, and making her life the best it can possibly be. But Klara quickly learns that genetically modifying children does not come without its risks. Josie’s older sister died as a result. When Josie falls ill, her family fears that she will face the same fate. Klara is convinced she can save her and believes she can do so by making a deal with the sun.
Having previously read Never Let Me Go, I had a presumption ahead of time that Klara and the Sun would have similarities, and I was pretty much along the right lines. This book is part dystopian novel and part twisted fairy tale. Writing the book from Klara’s perspective was an inspired choice, as the reader is able to experience an unfamiliar world with her. Klara and the Sun is a melancholic book with themes of love (between friends and parent to child) and the search one goes on to find their place in the world.
My Goodreads Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 stars)
