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Klara and the Sun: A Novel Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kazuo Ishiguro (Author), Sura Siu (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 52,418 ratings
Editors' pick Best Science Fiction & Fantasy
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Long-listed, Booker Prize, 2021

Short-listed, Prometheus Award, 2022

New York Times best seller

Once in a great while, a book comes along that changes our view of the world. This magnificent novel from the Nobel laureate and author of Never Let Me Go is “an intriguing take on how artificial intelligence might play a role in our futures...a poignant meditation on love and loneliness” (The Associated Press).

A Good Morning America Book Club Pick

“What stays with you in Klara and the Sun is the haunting narrative voice - a genuinely innocent, egoless perspective on the strange behavior of humans obsessed and wounded by power, status and fear.” (Booker Prize committee)

Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, 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. Klara and the Sun is a thrilling book that offers a look at our changing world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator, and one that explores the fundamental question: What does it mean to love?

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  1. Listening Length
    10 hours and 16 minutes
  2. Author
    Kazuo Ishiguro
  3. Narrator
    Sura Siu
  4. Audible release date
    March 2, 2021
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B08BCPV1G7
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 10 hours and 16 minutes
Author Kazuo Ishiguro
Narrator Sura Siu
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date March 02, 2021
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08BCPV1G7
Best Sellers Rank #3,344 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#165 in Literary Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#316 in Science Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)
#857 in Literary Fiction (Books)

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
52,418 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book compelling and interesting. They describe the writing as thoughtful, evocative, and perceptive. The book is heartwarming and touching, with themes of compassion, love, and friendship. Many readers find it unique and different from other science fiction novels. However, some feel the plot development is slow and unsatisfying.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityWriting qualityThought provokingHeartwarmingSadnessNovel qualityPacingDevelopment
613 customers mention "Readability"488 positive125 negative

Customers find the book engaging and well-crafted. They describe the narrator as compelling and charismatic. The story questions what it means to be human through an age-old tale. Readers praise the author's creative perspective and say it's a fairytale of modern times.

"...In this case, she learns very fast to accommodate to the needs and daily whims of her sick companion Josie...." Read more

"...The story takes place in the future, of course, but that future is not very clearly defined...." Read more

"...KS_ is a fairytale of the modern times, dealing, as any fairytale, with the anxieties of its era: machines taking the place of humans, substitutions..." Read more

"...She developed love and friendship. She is filled with hopes and fears and has a consciousness of herself as unique." Read more

377 customers mention "Writing quality"325 positive52 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They find the narrator's story mesmerizing, and the book explores what makes people human and what makes lives valuable. The storyline presents its own world and rules in a semi-mysterious manner. Readers appreciate the intelligent, concise, and creative perspective.

"...to observe, remember, reason logically and above all, learn from her daily experiences...." Read more

"...But the whole book is a series of references. The writing is very clean and you can read the book in a relatively short period of time...." Read more

"The novel is narrated by AI in the form of a robot named Klara who is purchased by the family of a girl who suffers from a potentially fatal illness...." Read more

"...There are also many thematic parallels, not only about human genetics, and genetic editing, but also in the way beings (be them clones or robots)..." Read more

278 customers mention "Thought provoking"232 positive46 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and evocative. They appreciate the insightful storyline, perceptive characters, and creative perspective. The book raises valid questions about science, humanity, AI ethics, and finding one's place in a changing world.

"...emotions, thoughts like us, human beings, having an advanced ability to observe, remember, reason logically and above all, learn from her daily..." Read more

"...She is genuinely advanced in some areas but rudimentary in others. There is a whiff of consciousness...." Read more

"...It is a study about illness, love, tenderness, faith, all interpreted or acted upon by a being that is not human..." Read more

"...learn that AF means artificial friend - a friendly robot filled with artificial intelligence and importantly the ability to dream...." Read more

126 customers mention "Heartwarming"113 positive13 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming. They mention it develops compassion, the power of love, and how that can transcend the world. The book is described as poignant, sad, and reflective. It sheds light on loneliness, parenting, friendship, and sacrifice.

"...As as AF, Klara surprisingly also suppressed her own feelings of rejection, sometimes scornful reactions from others to loyally support Josie...." Read more

"...memories about Never Let Me Go, specially the kind of decency and tenderness that Ishiguro masterfully embeds into the action and reactions of his..." Read more

"...She developed love and friendship. She is filled with hopes and fears and has a consciousness of herself as unique." Read more

"...is personified by Klara, and described as giving life saving and healing power, but seemingly at his own discretion when he chooses to help or not..." Read more

78 customers mention "Sadness"56 positive22 negative

Customers find the book touching and sad, bringing tears to their eyes. They describe it as a touching, unsettling, and affecting read that has a dystopian feel. The book's atmosphere is described as bleak and tragic, with thoughtful and poignant comments about our future.

"...There is a whiff of consciousness...." Read more

"...it is in Ishiguro's narration through Klara that makes this a touching but sad book, which I have a feeling may have gotten its start as a vision of..." Read more

"A warning: this is a really sad book. It’s sad despite its (almost) happy ending. It holds a mirror up to our human lives...." Read more

"...written, and the story was very heartwarming, maybe even tear-producing at the end. Reading along with Klara's emotional journey was very moving...." Read more

42 customers mention "Novel quality"32 positive10 negative

Customers find the novel engaging. They describe it as unique and unusual, with an intriguing storyline. Many consider it one of the author's best works, describing it as literary fiction with some sci-fi elements that reads like a timeless tale.

"...Everything is familiar, but at the same time seems strange through Klara's sometimes childish or naïve (however precise) descriptions of what she..." Read more

"...This is a literary fiction novel with some sci-fi aspects...." Read more

"...The book was a bit more refined and sophisticated and looking at the author's other books I can see why...." Read more

"...and faith, the plumbing of philosophic depths in this novel is rather too simplistic...." Read more

72 customers mention "Pacing"36 positive36 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it engaging and fast-paced, with an easy read that grabs you from the first sentence. Others feel the pacing is slow and flat, leaving them feeling unsatisfied. The imagery is described as plain, the technical commentary outdated, and the human connection is slim. Overall, readers feel the book lacks originality and has no groundbreaking elements.

"...The writing is very clean and you can read the book in a relatively short period of time. Definitely not a slog...." Read more

"...However, the author begins an at first slow descent into madness, and about two thirds of the way through it begins to utterly fall off a cliff...." Read more

"...little information to the reader, making this story heartbreaking and moving...." Read more

"...But it felt hollow, slow paced and left me feeling flat. It only felt interesting around page 200 but even then the plot never went anywhere...." Read more

44 customers mention "Development"0 positive44 negative

Customers find the plot slow and confusing. They feel the characters are underdeveloped and haphazardly developed. The spirituality feels mundane and lazy, and the characters act in confusing and unsympathetic ways. Overall, readers find the book boring and tedious.

"...there is some other hidden message beneath that, as her development seems somewhat haphazard, and not shaped in your usual character arc...." Read more

"...of the story, about love and loss and spirituality was mundane and felt lazy ...." Read more

"...The human characters in the story are conflicted, complex, and not always rational. Klara is oddly more sensible, and more lovable...." Read more

"...On a personal note, the final part (part 6), is particularly challenging...." Read more

A book hard to forget
4 out of 5 stars
A book hard to forget
This was my second book by Kazuo Ishiguro. The first one I read was The Remains of the Day which I thought it was an ok book, but not great. I liked Klara and the Sun much more than The Remains of the Day. This novel is told from the point of view of an AI machine, nominated as AF (Artificial Friend), called Klara who is programmed to be a companion to a child.Klara is kind of unique if compared to other AFs. She is very perceptive and very observant of what is going on, she is constantly trying to piece things together and make sense of human behavior. So at the beginning of this novel Klara is on a display in a department store and, according to the store manager she has an "appetite for observing and learning, has the most sophisticated understanding of any AF in this store”.The AFs are powered by sunlight and require this light to function correctly. That explains the importance of the Sun for Klara. One day, Klara ends up being picked up by a teenage girl named Josie who has some health problems going on. Klara becomes very devoted to Josie, and faces a lot of challenges at Josie’s home in their family dynamics. So the reader gets to follow Klara’s experience in this household and the dynamic with Josie ‘s family.The plot unfolds gradually. Ishiguro reveals little by little information to the reader, making this story heartbreaking and moving. The book discusses what makes people human, what makes human lives valuable, in what ways humans interact with one another, how technology interferes in our lives, but also shines light on loneliness, parenting, friendship, and mortality.My heart ached seeing Klara’s struggles to make Josie feel better, cure her illness, even though she had no idea how to do that. Her plan to help Josie may seem childlike but her desire to help is legit and heartwarming. Klara is a machine but the more you read this novel more human she seems to become. She is a deeply compelling protagonist. Beautifully written, Klara and the Sun is one of these books hard to forget.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • JH
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very original and refreshing perspective of AI
    Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I had read other novels by Kazuo Ishiguro, loved them for its simple but deep and insightful thoughts. This latest novel deals with the contemporary topic of robots, artificial intelligence and its impact to our near future. It is the time that we can buy or order a robot or AF (Artificial Friend) to meet our needs. In this case, a mother bought an AF named Klara to be a companion/assistant/helper/confidante to her sick daughter Josie. Kazuo presented this story differently than other authors in that he narrated it from the perspective of AF Klara as a person throughout the story. Reading thru the novel, readers will soon forget that Klara is a robot since she has feelings, emotions, thoughts like us, human beings, having an advanced ability to observe, remember, reason logically and above all, learn from her daily experiences. In this case, she learns very fast to accommodate to the needs and daily whims of her sick companion Josie. As the story evolves, Klara learned or started to developed feelings for Josie such as loyalty, empathy, friendship, sadness. Klara transformed from a robot at the service of its master to a dedicated friend who is looking for ways to make Josie's day brighter. In mid-story, Klara was engaging Rick who was an old childhood friend of Josie but somehow drifted apart, to come back to Josie to help her with her sickness. As as AF, Klara surprisingly also suppressed her own feelings of rejection, sometimes scornful reactions from others to loyally support Josie. In the latter part of the novel, Klara explored metaphysical thoughts like faith with her god (The Sun), memory of a dear person after death and even sacrificing herself to replace Josie in an act of selfless love. But even with her super faculties, Klara understood her limits realizing that love is not a concept that can be learned. At the end of story, Klara even thought she accomplished her mission which is to help Josie overcome her illness had to deal with her age and usefulness as an AF. Even an AF is becoming old, outdated and as all physical things, will be sent to a lonely place to die. At the end, one can't help to love Klara as a human being, to feel for her dedication, loneliness and sad destiny. In many ways, Klara has learned to become better than us because she expressed no bitter remorse and ill feelings about her destiny. After finishing the novel, I have a perplexing thought about the role of AF in our future technological society. What role do we want an AF to be, a helper in daily chores, companion in lonely times, a friend to confide in, a protective mother-to-be or a person who we can learn from ?
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Gary Moreau, Author
    4.0 out of 5 stars A style reminiscent of Eastern poetry
    Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is the first book I have read by Kazuo Ishiguro. And according to the professional reviewers one of his common themes is the exploration of what it means to be human, which love is a big part of. And this book certainly fits.

    The narrator is a robot named Klara, an AF (artificial friend) meant to be a companion to a teenage girl named Josie. The story takes place in the future, of course, but that future is not very clearly defined. There is a reference to massive social upheaval caused by the advancement of AI, a predictable backlash from the humans who are disaffected, and the implication of anarchy. There is even a specific reference to fascism.

    But the whole book is a series of references. The writing is very clean and you can read the book in a relatively short period of time. Definitely not a slog. But many questions go unanswered and vague is a defining characteristic. In many ways, in fact, both the writing style and the reliance on vague implication often made me think of Eastern poetry (I am a fan) in narrative form.

    As other reviewers have noted, the book leaves you with an overall sense of sadness, but I would call it emptiness because it is more of a perspective than an emotion. It just is, which is largely the way Klara sees and experiences the world.

    Having given it much thought over the years, it is very doubtful to me that artificial people will develop along the path that Klara is on. She is genuinely advanced in some areas but rudimentary in others. There is a whiff of consciousness. Klara picks up on innuendo and interprets her observations in ways suggestive of the most observant and sensitive of humans, but has a very limited knowledge of the larger world. She doesn’t, for example, understand the purpose of the simplest machines.

    There is a great deal of ink devoted to how Klara sees the world. It often involves geometric shapes and the deception of angle, point of view, and lighting. That, however, is never fully linked to the main narrative.

    The human characters are not developed in depth, more as a matter of style, I think, than oversight. And there are many storylines that are never quite filled in, again, I think, due to matters of style.

    The mother presents the most complex and inscrutable character to me. We are often presented with somewhat lengthy narratives that are just left in total isolation. Often contradictory, these dialogues are never fully explained or again referenced as the narrative unfolds.

    In the end, the author’s perspective on what it means to be human is vague, like the book itself. The basic question seems to be whether or not humans have an inexplicable dimension that will never be replicated artificially or are predictable in a way we may not yet understand, but which there is a knowable pattern to.

    I, for one, believe it will be decades before robots are even remotely human. They will do amazing things and will learn much more than we can individually know. That, however, is where we live, not what we know and feel.

    One of the reasons for that is that artificial intelligence is incapable of making mistakes. It can clearly be wrong and make terrible choices. That, however, is the fault of the person creating the artificial intelligence, not the intelligence itself. And that is exactly why we must be so careful in pursuing a future dominated by AI. Humans are more than capable of making mistakes, even ones that will ultimately destroy us.

    In the end, I will probably buy another one of this author’s books. I will wait a while, however. I need to fully digest this one first. That, in the end, is my standard of a good book.
    88 people found this helpful
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  • hilo_reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars AI, robot, perhaps defectively loving
    Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The novel is narrated by AI in the form of a robot named Klara who is purchased by the family of a girl who suffers from a potentially fatal illness. Unless I missed something, I cannot help but feel that there is one huge plot hole around which the entire plot revolves, which is Klara's failure to understand something as basic as the nature of our sun. For an AI, I found this to be implausible, especially one who is praised for her individual perceptiveness. Perhaps she was a defect and that was the entire point of the story. In any case, Klara views the sun as a living being who helps those in need, and whom she could pray to and negotiate with. If that is meant to be an allegory on how quite a large number of people look up at the heavens and see a living being there that others do not, then perhaps it isn't a plot hole after all.

    The writing is vintage Ishiguro -- just plain beautiful in its clarity and simplicity.

    This novel is not science fiction. It is about the human condition being base and selfish and unkind. On that note, it resembles another of his books, Never Let Me Go. Whereas the self-centered masses are not present to my recollection in the latter, they are everywhere in Klara And The Sun.

    If Klara is a defect, she is defected towards hopefulness and lovingness in a world where she is treated by default as a second-class citizen and as an expendible object, and it is in Ishiguro's narration through Klara that makes this a touching but sad book, which I have a feeling may have gotten its start as a vision of the final pages.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Babs
    5.0 out of 5 stars A strange book
    Reviewed in Canada on December 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I read this much faster than most books. It is oddly compelling and I did enjoy it. The writing style is a bit weird. I was well into the book before the author indicates what AF means, or revealed The Mother's name only in passing, as a few examples of things that were only explained tangentially. That bothered me a bit.
    A serious flaw for me was that I couldn't understand why Klara did not have access to Google. She is not particularly well educated about the world and had no way of finding out things she was interested in unless they were observable in her own experience. That took away a lot of "believe-ability" from the story for me, as we can do that even now and the story is in the future.
    The ending is bizarre but actually very good when you think about it ten minutes after finishing the book.
    In any case, I enjoyed the book. I still think about Klara many days after finishing it, so I guess that means something. hahaha.
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  • Karen Elizabeth Pereyra Havens
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, great writer.
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 18, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Anyone who enjoys science fiction, will love it!
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  • Carlos Vivanco Pastore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Realmente bueno. Cómo siempre
    Reviewed in Spain on November 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Una vez más Kazuo Ishiguro no decepciona. Su inglés es elegante, simple, lleno de sentimientos y detalles. He leído varios de sus trabajos y nunca me ha aburrido ni desencantado. Vale la pena.
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  • Clorox was open inside the box and it becomes on my clothes and damaged it
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Arab Emirates on August 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Nice book
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  • Peter Meyvis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fijn!
    Reviewed in Belgium on June 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Mooie hardback-uitgave van Ishiguro nieuwe roman.
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