REMINISCENT OF Never Let Me Go, one could say, since it addresses how our technological capabilities continue to leapfrog ahead of our ability to behave ethically. In Klara and the Sun, Ishiguro imagines (1) how we might treat AI companions, once we have them, and (2) how the capability to genetically modify our children to give them some kind of advantage, once it is possible, would play out in our class structure. As in Never Let Me Go, Ishiguro doesn't expect us to handle either innovation with much moral insight.
But the novel is perhaps even more reminiscent of Remains of the Day, with Klara rivaling Stevens in her devotion, patience, and unselfishness. Josie is several degrees more appreciative than Lord Darlington, though, which was a relief.
Does it make sense that an AI being would develop religious ideas? The solar-powered Klara does not call the sun her god, but she does petition it in prayer and assume it has intentions as well as powers. Even more strikingly, Klara proves capable of Christlike sacrifice, jeopardizing her own well-being in an effort to please the sun, so that it would use its power on Josie's behalf. And, in a somewhat fantastic twist, Klara's prayer seems answered.
It's a moving, poignant tale--did make me wonder whether Ishiguro knew the late Ray Bradbury's 1960s short story "I Sing the Body Electric," about a kind of Mary Poppins robot that likewise turned out to be capable of self-sacrifice.
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