In an unspecified but not too distant future, classrooms give way to individual instruction on mobile devices and children are more isolated. “Artificial Friends” (AFs) - androids designed as companions - become more popular to help reduce their loneliness. Klara is an AF, bought for a very sick young girl. Though Klara is especially clever and observant, her knowledge of how the world works is very limited. This is a wonderful but very slowly paced story - if you’re looking for something action packed, it’s not here. I really enjoyed the way Ishiguro gives us a constant trickle of information about the future he’s created, and I enjoyed Klara’s joyful nature.