Without prior knowledge that this book was penned by a Nobel laureate, I might have given up midway. Yet, driven by expectation, I persevered until three-quarters in to find a solitary peak of excitement.
This work recalls to my mind two of my all-time favorite sci-fi movies produced by Apple, "Finch" and "Swan Song". These films delve profoundly into discussions of human nature, consciousness (the human heart, love) - a depth I found missing in this book.
As a piece of literary fiction, Klara and the Sun offers a superficial analysis. The inherent ambiguity of fiction doesn't necessitate readers to fill gaps or over-interpret. The protagonist, viewed from the machine's perspective, could have been more distinctly defined.
The narrative is somewhat scatterbrained and lacks strong logic. But one striking aspect is the contrast drawn between the selfless, altruistic qualities of the machine and human benevolence. Ultimately, it's a discourse on materialism and idealism, viewed through the lens of Al.
Finishing the book left me melancholic, a feeling that often dissuades me from choosing fiction. I immerse easily but find it hard to detach—not due to the thoughts provoked, but the companionship (between characters, between the story and me).
Whether it's a robot or something else, accompanying Klara through her experiences and growth, I, as an outsider, shared these journeys. Throughout the reading process, witnessing all characters' innermost thoughts from a god-like perspective, I developed feelings. When Klara and Josie finally part ways, I felt a sense of loss, sadness, and sorrow. The constant repetition and reminder taught me: we are here to experience, not to possess. We persistently try, gain, feel, and then let go.
In essence, the reading experience mirrors what Kazuo Ishiguro mentioned in his interview with the Beijing News: his initial intention was to write a piece of children's literature, inspired by his daughter.
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