Klara
Klara is one of the novel's main characters and its narrator. An artificial intelligence, Klara was created to give companionship and friendship to children of wealthy parents, most of whom are insulated from the rest of the world. But Klara isn't an especially happy entity. From the window of the store she is for sale in, Klara witnesses the world going by. She doesn't know anything about it, other than she wants to be a part of it. Despite her lack of experience, Klara is an exceptionally intelligent robot who is adept at navigating such an unfamiliar world. More than anything, though, Klara is a useful friend and companion to Josie, a young girl who needs as much mentoring to get through this world as possible. Although she isn't flesh-and-bone, Klara is a good-natured robot who will do anything to help the people around her, especially Josie.
Josie
Josie is one of the protagonists in the novel. Before she was born, Josie was genetically altered so that she would excel in her academic pursuits. That's why she has been largely isolated through her thus far young life; her parents (and the state) want her to focus on why they deem is important: her academics. They don't permit her anything else. That's why, after she and her parents find out that she is dying, Josie ventures out and tries to experience life in its fullest before it is too late. A naturally inquisitive, but restrained, girl, Josie is a beacon of light in an otherwise morose world. With Rick, her childhood friend, Josie starts to discover more about the world. And ultimately, their friendship grows into something more: a romantic relationship. Josie grows further and becomes a woman, now not sick. And she ends up with Rick, who she continues to adore for the rest of her life.
Rick
Rick is Josie's childhood friend and a major character in the novel. Although Rick is Josie's age, he doesn't possess the same academic prowess that many have come to expect from young kids. Because of this, Rick is often chastised and considered to be a disabled person with limited (if any) career prospects. Josie looks past such labels and becomes fast friends with Rick, who she grows exceptionally close with. Like Josie, Rick has an insatiable curiosity about the world and everyone who lives in it.
