A very original story!!

This story was so different and unexpected, weith fine details scattered throughout that slowly revealed a setting if humanity from an alternate and unexpected perspective. It was cleverly written, but at times I wished the perspective had been revealed a little earlier. I had to listen back a few times for if my mind wandered off crucial details were missed. I often listened at 1.5-2x speed as easier to concentrate. I do recommend this book. Certainly one I won’t forget, just could have been a little more “blunt” in some places.

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1 person found this helpful

No plot

This book contains some interesting ideas but has no real plot and just fizzles out in the end. The reader is lacklustre. Presumably that is because she needs to sound like a robot but her accents are terrible. The ABC RN Bookshow rated this as book of the year. I certainly hope they’re wrong.

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so well read

really brings the novel's world to life.
the different characters effortlessly distinguishable.
really recommend this version.
it is also a great read.

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Read by A.I.?

I know the story is told by an A.I., but seriously!! The narration of the Helen character, in particular, was atrocious! The accent, the stilted inflection etc made it seem as if the narrator was seeing the text for the first time and didn’t quite understand the context.
The story is otherwise lovely and thought provoking.

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A whimsical story of duty and care

Ishiguro gets to me every time. I was enjoying this very pleasant book of a girl and her artificial friend - then he takes us on a journey through the dismal calculus of life and hope. A beautiful story.

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interesting and compelling

Has obvious similarities with Never Let Me Go and even had some similarities with Remains of the Day (serving others). Story was compelling and slowly unfolds like a typical Ishiguro. I sometimes found Klara was the only character I connected with, as the others were kind of annoying. A solid and enjoyable novel by Ishiguro.

At times the narration was a bit cringeworthy. As other reviewers have mentioned, the British accents (particularly Helen's) were atrocious. I thought the narrator was good at portraying Klara and most female characters, the male voices were a bit awkward. I had to listen in double speed to get through long passages with Helen and Rick.

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Not the book I hoped it would be

If you are into painting an image with words, then this may be a good read. If, like me, you are interested in scenarios for robot psyche, you may be dissapointed. Sorry Kazuo, its me, not you. An american should not try and do an English accent. The thought occurred to me of how the famous Eiji Yoshikawa in his book Musashi began his novel declaring the morning sun as the killer and how Kazuo Ishiguro, living on the other side of the world in the cloudy UK, begins his book with the sun being the saviour. For better insights into the psyche of robots, a better choice would be the Azimov Foundation series or The Word of Bob - an AI Minecraft Villager.

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8 people found this helpful

A mixed bag

Great writing, but frustrating plot with interesting twists diluted by extended passages of detail not contributory to the greater story.

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6 people found this helpful

Just lovely!

Choose this for you next ‘read’. It is just lovely…and different, and lifts your spirit.

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Wow ..but terrible narration

What an incredible story although at times it was very laborious. Narrator made it even worse with her English accent I’m sorry to say. It would make a great film one day. Can see why it won the booker prize but have mixed feelings about it overall

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