Klara and the Sun Book Review

Books are the center of my universe, I collect them, cherish them, and celebrate them. I feel grateful to work in a field where books are discussed and analyzed, for over a decade. I have developed a love of historical fiction, family generational drama and medical fiction. The book I am about to review however, is not in my top favorite genres. Nonetheless as a book lover and a believer of their power on human intelligence – not to mention that I am hosting a discussion event, I shall read science fiction after all! 

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence and the increasing reliance on it, Al Jalees picked Klara and the Sun for October’s Literary Circle. As a reading club, we believe in the immense benefits of reading books that aren’t your usual choice. This book explores the world from a robot's point of view. Klara is a humanoid designed to care for children and support their wellbeing. Along with other robots, Klara was first introduced to the readers while having been displayed at the store waiting to be selected by a parent for them to take home. We witness the first time she leaves the store and explores the world – basic activities humans sometimes take for granted. Written by Kazuo Ishiguro, author of (The Remains of the Day, Never Let Me Go) Nobel Prize winner who always writes about memory, love, loneliness, and the quiet struggles of what it means to be human.

Why Should You Read Klara and the Sun?

• It makes you see everyday life with fresh eyes and a tender perspective
• It raises questions you are already facing with AI
• It reminds us of the fragility of human connection

Join us at Al Jalees on October 15 to explore these themes together and see how different readers make sense of them. Your perspective might be the one that sparks the conversation.

Debate Questions

• Can a machine ever truly understand love, or is that something uniquely human?
• Do you think technology brings us closer together, or makes us more isolated?
• If you had the chance, would you want an AI “friend” for yourself or your child?