Klara and the Sun - pages 279 to 307 (end)

Summary of pages 279 to 307 (end)

Despite Klara's hopes, Josie's condition initially worsens. One dark, stormy morning, the Mother confronts Rick in the kitchen, bitterly asking if he now feels like the "winner" for having avoided the risks of being 'lifted' – risks that led to Josie's illness but offered her greater potential – while he remained safe but perhaps limited. Rick counters, relaying a message Josie entrusted to him: her deep love for her mother and her assurance that, given the choice, she would have done exactly the same regarding being 'lifted'.

Immediately after this confrontation, Klara urgently alerts them that the Sun is breaking through the clouds. Rushing to Josie's room, they find Melania trying to block the intense light. Klara and Rick forcefully open the curtains and blind, allowing the powerful orange sunlight to flood Josie. Josie soon wakes, feeling dizzy but distinctly stronger, marking the beginning of her miraculous recovery.   

Josie recovers fully and grows into a young adult, preparing for university. Time passes; the tall grass in the fields is cut short. As Josie looks towards her future, her path and Rick's diverge. Though their affection remains, they see each other less often. Rick gets a car, "the Wreck", and focuses on new projects and friends. In a final conversation with Klara on the loose stones by his car, Rick acknowledges that while their love was, and remains, real and deep, they must now go their separate ways.   

As Josie prepares to leave, young friends visit, staying over. Klara finds herself retreating to the Utility Room. Josie, discovering her there, kindly constructs a makeshift platform from a trunk and crate so Klara can see out of the high window across the fields towards Mr McBain's barn.

During this period, Mr Capaldi visits the house. He proposes using Klara for scientific research, arguing the need to "open up the black box" of AF understanding to counter public fear. The Mother (Chrissy) vehemently rejects this, stating Klara deserves better – she deserves her "slow fade".   

Josie departs for college. In a final, emotional farewell, she hugs Klara, thanks her for being a great AF, and acknowledges Klara might not be there when she returns.

The novel concludes with Klara in a Yard for discarded AFs. Immobilised but content, she spends her time organising her memories, which sometimes merge in curious ways. She appreciates the Yard's orderliness and the wide sky, allowing her to watch the Sun. One day, Manager from her old store visits the Yard and finds her. They reminisce, and Klara learns Rosa's placement wasn't successful. Klara reflects on the plan for her to "continue" Josie, concluding that while she could have mimicked her, she could never have truly replicated the unique essence of Josie, which existed not just within Josie but within the love others held for her. She assures Manager she is glad things worked out as they did. Klara declines Manager's offer to move her closer to other AFs, preferring her solitude and memories. In their final exchange, Klara tells Manager how kind the Sun had been to her throughout her time with Josie. Manager leaves, and Klara watches her walk away until she disappears.   

Discussion questions for pages 279 to 307 (end)

1. Chrissie asks Rick a surprising question: does he feel like a "winner" because he wasn't "lifted?" What does she mean by this, and do you think there's any truth behind it?

2. Do you think Josie and Rick's friendship changed for the better or worse as they grew older?

3. Why do you think Chrissy turned down Mr. Capaldi's offer to use Klara for science?

4. In the end, Klara says she could never have replaced Josie. What do you think she meant by this?