Well I hope everyone is enjoying their last weeks of summer. I just returned from Southern California and it was a good trip visiting my parents and seeing two of my siblings.
My folks are doing okay and we celebrated my Dad’s 86th birthday. He still plays a good game of golf twice a week. It was a special visit, and it’s always bittersweet leaving, but I hope to be back to see them at Thanksgiving time.
I was at the beach for a bit, but I didn’t get a lot of reading done. Go figure. I was on the go. Still the ocean felt terrific. After months of smoke in western Canada, it was nice to take a swim and be able to see the sky.
Now I’m back home and things are looking up here. We had some rain, which has helped with some of the wildfire situation. It’s hard to believe summer is almost over, but I’m really looking forward to September and October, which are usually really beautiful.
In other news, I was very sad to see that folk/country singer, musician Nanci Griffith passed away on Aug. 13 at age 68. She was a great songwriter and grew up in Texas. Her music crisscrossed my life in the late 1980s and ’90s, and I saw her in concert many times when I was living in the D.C. area.
She had so many great songs and albums so it’s hard for me to pick a favorite, but One Fair Summer Evening was my first album of hers in 1988. It’s a classic. While I’m stunned Nanci is gone, her wonderful music and legacy live on. Thanks for all she did and left us. And now I’ll leave a review of the novel I finished lately.
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro / Knopf / 320 pages / 2021
Short Synopsis: Taking place in the near future, the story is about an Artificial Friend, or robot, named Klara who comes to belong to an ill teenager (Josie) whose mother buys her as a companion for her daughter. Josie has a close friend named Rick and they plan to have a future together. But when Josie becomes sicker, Klara must think of a way to save her, even while agreeing to a plan — the mother has come up with — in case she doesn’t.
My Thoughts: I tried not to give too much away in the paragraph above as its best just to let the secrets of the novel unfold. What is okay to know is that: the story is told from Klara, the AF’s point of view, and it captures Klara’s child-like, robot simplicity and keen observations as she comes to navigate the unfamiliar human world outside the store she’s purchased from. Klara wants to be the best friend she can be to Josie and the two bond quickly. Rick, too, the British teenage neighbor who’s infatuated with Josie, becomes part of their world.
I especially liked Klara and Rick, who are bright, keen observers and always seem to have Josie’s best interests at heart. While there’s not exactly a lot of action in the novel, it has a mysterious, foreboding nature about it and what will happen to Josie and the rest of them that kept me closely dialed in. I liked the part where Klara, who’s solar powered, is beseeching the sun to help Josie get better. It’s an intriguing scene … as is the scene of when Klara asks Josie’s father to help her kill the polluting machine, which blocks out the sun’s rays.
It’s scenes like these and how the author Ishiguro melds the themes of what it is to be human and the nature of love that make him a master of storytelling and writing. Some of the themes reminded me of his earlier novel Never Let Me Go for those like me who loved that dark novel. Klara and the Sun does not have a hard-core sci-fi kind of plot so don’t let that deter you. It does have some vague dystopian details of the grim world they’re living in … that give the impression that the future world is one based even more on privilege than today … with more hardships for the rest.
I listened to the novel as an audiobook read by Sura Siu, who should win an award for how well she narrates the different voices and truly gets Klara — Josie’s special Artificial Friend. Devoted and loyal Klara is someone we all could use.
That’s it for now. What about you — have you read this novel or any others by Kazuo Ishiguro — and if so, what did you think?
Glad you were able to visit with your parents and siblings! Sounds like it was a lovely trip! I can’t believe summer is almost over. My son just started school and it’s been tough navigating it all! Utah won’t allow mask mandates which is so ridiculous.
I haven’t read anything yet by Ishiguro but I’ve had his new one on my list since it came out. Your review makes me want to listen it soon! I watched the movie Never Let Me Go and it devastated me emotionally for weeks so I decided not to read the book
I hope you stay smoke free up there! We’ve had nothing but smoke for a week
Hi Heather, wow your son has already started school for the year. Too bad to hear about the no mask mandate, ugh. Hope he stays safe.
I agree Never Let Me Go is gut-wrenching … his tales are always a bit sad or wistful. And Klara is no exception but not as gut-wrenching as Never Let Me Go. Sorry to hear about your smoke — is that from the Northern California fires? Our temps have dropped a bit here so I’m hoping the BC smoke is ending soon. take care! enjoy your weekend.
I loved Klara and the Sun. Childlike narrators, even childlike robots, appeal to me. In fact, childlike robots may have an especially strong appeal because a childlike robot seems like an unlikely character. Her appeal to the Sun struck me as deeply poignant.
I’m so glad you were able to visit with your parents and siblings. My dad is 94, and I want to see him every day. I know my time with him is probably short.
Thanks for sharing a little about Nanci Griffith. I remember listening to her work and being impressed with both her singing and her writing. A singer who writes her own songs is like a picture book author/illustrator to me, an exceptional person.
Hi Deb, yeah Nanci Griffith was exceptional with her songs & music. I was so surprised by her passing, I didn’t even know she had been ill.
And I’m glad you liked Klara and the Sun too … I agree it really drew me in having Klara tell the story, with her observations & childlike robot simplicity.
It’s good you are able to see your dad. It’s so important. It’s really tough saying goodbye to my folks … I just try to get back every few months. but miss them. take care. Enjoy your books.
This time of my life, at almost-sixty-five, is filled with loss of people I’ve loved for years. But it is also filled with new friendships, especially those of people who are just beginning to learn about the world, and these compensate richly for the losses.
Yeah I hear ya Deb … And I was so pleased to hear of your new granddaughter. Your grandkids seem terrific, fun. Much to enjoy. 🙂
This has been among my favorite books read in 2021. I need to circle back and read other Ishiguro books. I love his writing.
It’s great that you had an opportunity for that California visit with your family and some respite from the smoke. I hope we are nearing the end of this year’s western fire season.
I remember Nanci Griffith fondly also. Perhaps my memory is faulty but it seems like we’ve lost a lot of artists from that era recently.
Hi Dorothy, you’re right we have lost a lot of artists & musicians lately. Like John Prine, Nanci Griffith … and Tom Petty come to mind. Ugh tough.
It was a good visit with my family thanks. & Can’t wait till the end of the fire season.
I’m so glad you liked Klara and the Sun too. I think it’s one of my favorites for 2021 as well. It snuck up on me & moved me. I was impressed by Klara.
Enjoy your weekend & garden.
I had Klara and the Sun on hold for over four months and it decided to show up at my library on the second day of my recent 15-day road trip out West. If it had come in two days earlier, I could have taken it with me on the trip…had to let it go to someone else, instead because I very suddenly jumped from number 14 to number 1 after working my way all the way from something like number 210. I’ll never forget Klara and the Sun even if I never get to read it. LOL
Ha Sam. I can relate. I always just miss a book on hold at the Library. It happens often. Sometimes the timing of books just slips right out of one’s hands. I think I had planned to read Klara and the Sun earlier in the year … but only got to it now. In many ways it’s a quiet story … but one’s that quietly affecting all the same. Hope you enjoy it someday, ha. take care.
I’m glad you had a nice visit with family and the irony that you got clear sky in southern California is not lost on me. We’ve been lucky this year down here fire-wise.
My daughter is home for one more then she goes back to NY for college. I’ll miss her, but it feels like it’s time for her to return to her friends.
Hi Helen, hard to believe school is starting again. I’m not sure I realized your daughter goes to college in NY. What year is she? I hope she feels safe.
It’s been strange that the air this far north has been unhealthy to breathe all summer. We finally are getting rid of it now, with some rain ahead. But SoCal’s air was luckily better, quite surprising. It was a good visit thanks! Enjoy your weekend.
I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but I am ready to start getting some rain! It’s been terribly dry here, which is unusual. We almost always get rain year-round, but I don’t think we’ve had any measurable amounts since April. No smoke in our sky, though, which is a relief. Even when we were traveling to Santa Rosa, the sky was pretty clear, with the exception of one day. But thankfully, we didn’t smell any smoke.
That’s wonderful that your dad is still playing golf! My mom’s a couple of years older and still gets out to walk with her friends a few times a week. I’ll bet you’re glad you were able to spend some time with your folks. As the COVID numbers rise, I wonder how many people will cancel their upcoming travels. We were going to drive to Nashville at the beginning of Sept. but decided to cancel. We would be driving through too many states that have high numbers, low vaccination numbers and no mask mandates. Too risky for us!
Yes, I was very sad about Nanci Griffith. I’ve been enjoying her Other Voices, Other Rooms album this past week and love hearing her and John Prine sing Speed of the Sound of Loneliness.
I have Klara and the Sun on my TBR list and will get to it soon. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Hey Lesley, yeah wasn’t it a bummer to hear about Nanci. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness is a great song. So is that whole album. I will play it too.
I’m glad your mother is doing well. It was a good trip down south, thanks. We had to cancel Sept. trip plans to Idaho as the U.S. land border is still not open to Canadians like my husband, so we have made other plans. Nashville seems far away for you all. Good idea to reassess with the CV situation. I never stopped my mask wearing indoors in public. Just kept going with it.
Now it’s only in the 50s here so it feels cold to us — after 90s. I hope summer can hang on for awhile longer. Enjoy your cove & books.
Susan, so happy to read that you had a nice visit with your parents. It’s great that your dad is still active. I’m glad you enjoyed Klara and the Sun. I have the audio and must get to it soon – why do we have way too many choices in books – a good problem to have though.
Hi Diane, thanks. My trip visiting my folks was good. I’ll be interested to hear what you think of the Klara audio. The narrator does well trying to mimic how an Artificial Friend would sound. I hope you like it — though expect a quiet kind of tale. Have a great week.
I’m glad you had a nice visit and were able to escape from the smoke. The smoke was really bad here for about a week, but it seems to be clearing up a bit. I guess the west coast is finally getting some rain.
Yeah it was so good AJ … to escape to Southern Calif for better air … crazy eh? We had smoke in Canada for almost 2 months, but now things are better. Glad your area is getting better too. I enjoyed hearing about your park job in your post. Colorado is beautiful in all its various landscapes. Have a great week.
So glad to hear you had a good time at your folks! And enjoyed the beach…. There’s always time for reading, enjoy the other joys life also gives you!
I still want to read Klara and the Sun, lovely review!
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Elza Reads
Thanks Mareli. Nice of you to say. Yeah I agree … sometimes you just need to focus on the family ties that are important. I had a really good trip there with them — but 10 days sure felt like a whirlwind. Still not sure where I am now. Have a good one!
I absoultely LOVE the first photo!
A trip to see family sounds wonderful! I miss all my siblings etc.
Congrats to your dad on his 86th Birthday, and he still plays golf twice a week? WOW!
Sad about Nanci Griffith!
I haven’t read anything by Kazuo Ishiguro. I love the cover of Klara And The Sun.
Hey thanks Vicki for your note! So nice of you to say. I took quite a few wave shots but this one was one of my favorites. There were some big waves that day.
My Dad still rocks and I’m glad he’s having fun with golf. I’m quite impressed too. Are your siblings in Florida or all over? It’s hard still to travel I know. Have a great week.
I’m glad you got to celebrate your father’s 86th with him! We’ll be here for my mother’s 86th next month, but will likely miss my father’s (also 86th) in December. Thinking about a double celebration in September. Hooray for clear skies and the beach, too… beautiful photos!
I was on the fence about Klara and the Sun, but have decided to add it to to my audio list. Thanks!
Hi JoAnn, I’m glad I got to Klara and the Sun after all. I enjoyed the audio. See what you think. The narrator is quite good and drew me in to the story.
It would be great to do a double bday celebration for your folks in September. Hope your parents are doing all right. We’re both in the same boat. I think my Dad had like four separate bday celebrations – so it was a good week. Let there be cake! You’re wise to wait out Hurricane Henri. good luck this week.
I’m an Ishiguro fan, and have read almost all of his books, starting when he was first publishing them, so I read this one a few months ago. Blogged here:
https://maefood.blogspot.com/2021/03/klara-and-sun-new-from-ishiguro.html
I also agree with your connection to Never Let me Go, which I reread at the same time, blogged here:
https://maefood.blogspot.com/2021/03/what-is-soul-ishiguros-never-let-me-go.html
Good to hear that you were able to see your family!
best… mae
Thanks Mae. I found both of your reviews excellent and I’m glad you’re an Ishiguro fan. Me too. Though I think I’ve read only three so I need to read more of his. I think I started Nocturnes once and didn’t finish …. I should try it again. Remains of the Day is a classic. Cheers.
Each year becomes more important and wonderful that your dad is still playing golf! I still want to read Klara and the Sun, and themes do sound similar to Never Let Me Go.
Thanks Jen about my Dad. I’m glad Ishiguro returned to some similar themes of his earlier book. He always hits on the heart. Have a great week.
Welcome back from visiting your folks. I’m sure they were happy to have you there. Glad your dad is 86 young and still playing golf! Good for him. Thanks for the review. It’s on my reading list.
Thank Judee. Appreciate your kind words. And I hope you like this novel. Have a great week.
Aw, I am so glad that you had a nice visit with your family (and the pictures are gorgeous!) Also glad you liked Klara- I have heard some mixed things, but I bought it a few months back, so I am really glad to read that you liked it, I need to get to it sooner!
Hey Shannon – thanks, it was a good visit. I hope you like the novel about Klara – though I guess it’s not for everyone. It’s sort of subtle or takes awhile in places but it seems worth it. See what you think. Cheers.
I liked Klara and the Sun but I didn’t feel like it was anything new. I guess it depends what genres you are used to reading! I had some issues with some of the minor characters and I personally would have liked to know more about what being lifted involved.
Hi Ellie, you make good points. I was a bit confused about the “lifting” … which it seems remains vague. I gather some teens got help into elite schools and others did not. But I remain unsure of what it was about. I guess there was enough mystery about the predicament surrounding Josie … that I kept going. Usually in movies or books it seems Artificial beings are malevolent … so I hadn’t come across a favorable one like Klara before. Unless Aliens II might have had one I think. Thx for stopping by.
I was sad when I heard about Nanci Griffith’s passing. I love her music and was lucky to be able to see her in concert once. And I’m very intrigued by Klara and the Sun. It’s one I think I would like. 🙂
Hi Lark. I’m glad you are a fan of Nanci’s music. Me too. And now I hear tonight Charlie Watts has died, ugh. We’re losing too many great artists. Nanci’s passing really knocked me hard. I’ve been playing her music in remembrance.
I think you might like Klara and the Sun. Have a great week.
I liked it, but didn’t love it. My favorite of his is The Buried Giant. So touching!
Glad to hear the smokiness has eased and that you got some ocean time. It looked beautiful!
Yeah Catherine — the beach was so nice in SoCal. I needed more time there!
Good to know too that you really liked The Buried Giant … somehow that one slipped by me so I should go back and read it. I am a fan of Ishiguro’s but have read just 3 of his books so far. Much left to get to.
I hope all is well in Michigan.
How wonderful, that you were able to go and see your family. I must admit, even if liked it, I found Klara and the Sun somewhat disappointing. Ishiguro is a favourite of mine and I love Never Let Me Go and The Remains of the Day, but I didn’t think Klara could live up to those. Still she was a very well written AI character and Ishiguro didn’t fall into the usual trap of writing the AI just like a slightly tweaked human. She really was different!
Hi Stargazer – you make some good points. I think it’s hard to live up to those two great Ishiguro novels. But this one still had its moments. I’d like to get to The Buried Giant … which I haven’t read yet and will see if I like it.
To me, Klara was a moving character … perhaps it was her innocence or her loyal dedication so you’re right she’s a unique AI. thanks.