Published: 2021
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopia / Literary Fiction
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Klara and the Sun
Themes: AI Ethics, Loneliness, Love, Genetic Engineering.
Publisher’s Summary
Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Readers’ Favorite Science Fiction (2021)
From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, 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, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. In Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro looks at our rapidly changing modern world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator to explore a fundamental question: what does it mean to love?
Review
Klara and the Sun provides the unique perspective of Klara, an “Artificial Friend.” AFs are robot companions for children in this dystopian world. Klara spends her days viewing the world from a store window, waiting to be selected by a family. In the meantime, we are provided glimpses into Klara’s childlike nature through her observations of humanity. I would highly recommend this novel to secondary students and adults alike. Klara’s character is beautifully “fleshed out” as the novel progresses; we learn about her thought processes and her motivations. It is an incredibly timely read in this age of Artificial Intelligence, especially amidst debates about whether technology is advancing civilization or creating more distance and loneliness.
Klara demonstrates a childlike hope and basic goodness that stands in stark contrast to the cynicism of the adults around her. Despite all the technological advances in this future world, the essential question remains: What does it mean to be human? Ishiguro is critical of the rise of AI, suggesting it will become very good at manipulating human emotions like anger, sadness, and laughter. This book pairs perfectly with classroom discussions on ethics and scientific advancement.
🤖 The Uncanny Valley & AI Observation
Klara is a high-end “Artificial Friend,” designed to mimic human empathy. However, her perspective is distinctly non-human, often interpreting the world through “boxes” or “panels” of visual data. This narrative style touches on the Uncanny Valley, a concept in robotics where a humanoid object’s resemblance to a human can evoke feelings of unease.
- Solar Powered: Klara views the Sun as a literal deity who provides “nourishment” and life-giving energy. This primitive, spiritual interpretation from a highly advanced machine creates a fascinating paradox.
- The “Lifting” Process: In Klara’s world, children are “lifted”—a term for genetic editing to enhance intelligence. This creates a social divide between the “lifted” and “unlifted,” raising questions about eugenics and the cost of academic success.
- AF Motivation: Unlike humans, whose motivations are often tangled in ego, Klara’s primary motivation is the health and happiness of her child, Josie. This “selfless” programming makes the reader wonder if a machine can actually “love” more purely than a human.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Philosophy & Ethics (What is Humanity?):
- Activity Idea: “The Turing Test.” Discuss the criteria for consciousness. If Klara can feel “hope” or “worry,” does she deserve rights? Debate whether Klara’s “Sun worship” is a bug in her programming or the beginning of a soul.
- ELA (Point of View & Narrator Reliability):
- Activity Idea: Klara describes scenes in “segments” or “grid patterns.” Have students rewrite a common school scene (like a busy cafeteria) using only literal, clinical observations as if they were an AF trying to learn human social cues.
- Science & Tech (Genetic Engineering):
- Activity Idea: Explore the real-world implications of CRISPR and gene editing. The “lifted” children in the book face physical risks for their intellectual gains. Research the ethical debates surrounding “designer babies” and how they mirror the social hierarchy in the novel.
- Social Studies (Dystopian Hierarchies):
- Activity Idea: Analyze the social structure of the book. Why are AFs necessary? Discuss how the isolation of the “lifted” children mirrors modern-day social media isolation and the impact of technology on adolescent mental health.
