3.5 stars. Spoilers ahead.

I went into this book completely and utterly blind. All I knew about this book was that it was one of the most borrowed books of 2021 of a library I visit. No further details about anything regarding what this book was about, not the vaguest clue.

Not knowing what this book was about and thus, having almost no expectations is most likely why I came to enjoy it. The reviews I have come across have either been preaching this books greatness or talking of it as if were the most boring book in existence.

I must agree, it is rather ~slow~ in terms of progression—but it is quite literally written from the perspective of a robot, an AF if you will. Though the writing isn't a masterpiece per se, it does arise some intriguing questions.

Klara, the AF that finds herself accompanying Josie, a teenager that is sickness-ridden as a result of "genetic lifting" (another dystopian element of this novel, aside from the whole "artificial friend" ordeal itself). As Josie's condition worsens, her mother sets out to have her portrait done by a man called Mr. Capaldi; however, this portrait is not any standard portrait at all and instead is a replacement shell of a sculpture of which is intended for Klara to inhabit if and when Josie passes.

As for the "and the sun" part of all this, Klara seeks assistance from the sun, as she believes in the sun having restorative powers (complementary belief to AFs requirement of the sun for energy/functioning).

All this, an overall simplification of the story, not too complex or elaborate of a story. The real thing this story actually provides is questioning the meaning of identity.
It gives an insight on human behaviour from an outside perspective whilst putting emphasis on whether any of us are truly unique?

The general themes of this play into how we deal with bereavement, grief, and loneliness. Most of the characters, Chrissie, Rick, Vance, Josie, and Klara are known to have had some struggle with being alone. Chrissie (the mother) tries to cope by making plans to replace her daughter, Vance confronts Helen on the years he spent alone because of her, Josie and Rick quarrel consistently in fear of a future without each other and away from their "plan," and Klara—Klara was willing to give up her own identity and her own parts, all for the sake of keeping her companionship and place within the family.

I feel there's more to write in regards to the most crucial element of this book: identity—but it is a subjective matter and hence I will be leaving it out of my review.

3.5/5 could have been written better but still proved to be an interesting read.