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Klara and the Sun

Klara and the Sun is a 2021 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Klara and the Sun is a 2021 dystopian science fiction novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The story is narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF), a solar-powered companion robot who is chosen by a sick girl named Josie. It is Ishiguro’s eighth novel and his first after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.

Plot

The novel follows Klara after she is chosen from a store to live with Josie and her family. Through Klara’s observations, the story reveals a near-future world shaped by artificial companions and genetically enhanced children.

Characters

Klara is the central narrator, while Josie is the child she is meant to companion. Summaries also identify Josie’s friend Rick and Josie’s mother as important figures in the story.

Themes

Critics and summaries describe the book as exploring what it means to be human, the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, social inequality, love, and mortality.

Publication

Klara and the Sun was published on 2 March 2021 and is widely described as Ishiguro’s first novel after receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.

Key facts

  • Klara and the Sun is a 2021 dystopian science fiction novel by Kazuo Ishiguro.
  • The story is narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF), a solar-powered companion robot.
  • Klara is chosen by a sick girl named Josie in a near-future society shaped by genetic enhancement and social inequality.
  • The novel explores themes of humanity, consciousness, love, mortality, and technology.
  • It is Ishiguro’s first novel after winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2017.
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Canadian context

Kazuo Ishiguro is a globally read novelist in Canada, and Klara and the Sun has been discussed in Canadian literary contexts as part of contemporary speculative fiction and book-club reading.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Klara and the Sun?
It was written by Kazuo Ishiguro.
What type of book is it?
It is a dystopian science fiction novel.
Who narrates the novel?
The story is narrated by Klara, an Artificial Friend (AF).
When was it published?
It was published on 2 March 2021.
What is an Artificial Friend in the novel?
An Artificial Friend is a solar-powered companion robot designed to live with and accompany children.
What are the main themes?
Major themes include humanity, consciousness, love, mortality, technology, and genetic inequality.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klara_and_the_Sun
    Supports: publication date, author, genre, narrator, setting, and plot overview
  2. The Bibliofile — https://the-bibliofile.com/klara-and-the-sun/
    Supports: plot summary, Artificial Friend concept, Josie, and themes
  3. Audible — https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-klara-and-the-sun-by-kazuo-ishiguro
    Supports: narrator, solar-powered AF description, themes, and setting
  4. Harvard Review — https://www.harvardreview.org/book-review/klara-and-the-sun/
    Supports: AF description and thematic interpretation
  5. BookBrowse — https://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/4228/klara-and-the-sun
    Supports: narrator, observational qualities, and thematic focus