M k

M kvery much enjoyed Miranda as a character -- related to her as a "fiction artist"

M kThe writing itself was really nice; I liked the way everything was described through Klara's eyes - her observation and sense of wonder permeated everything. I was engaged from the start -- the world they were setting up, and the characters themselves, had so much potential. <br/><br/>Unfortunately, it barely touched upon a number of aspects that, when I started this book, I was excited to learn more about. The concept of AFs, being "lifted", the socioeconomic state of this society, even the father's way of life, all felt like things that they were trying to hint about, but never really were expanded on more than brief mentions by the characters.<br/><br/>(Spoilers ahead)<br/><br/>Another thing I took issue with was the conclusion with the Sun. I had assumed that Klara's fascination with the Sun and the way she constantly personified it was a naive (though endearing) misunderstanding on her part, based around the fact that she and other AFs were solar powered -- but in the end, the sun really just healed Josie? Because they made a "deal"? None of the ethical implications of her continuing Josie even mattered, because she prayed to the Sun and he just.. fixed her. It almost felt like a shallow allegory to religious faith.<br/><br/>I was interested in the premise, but I guess I just wasn't impressed by the execution. It felt like so many concepts just got muddled as the book went on, and the ending itself felt almost rushed. I did like Ishiguro's writing style, but this book was honestly disappointing.