Cloud Atlas

I was puzzled to see this book mentioned in the recent news story about 'unfinishable' books alongside Ulysses and Crime & Punishment. I would hardly describe it as heavy or particularly 'literary' and, despite the structural jiggery-pokery, it is a very accessible and readable novel.

It is basically a series of mildly interconnected stories which span centuries and countries but all of which have running themes; imprisonment, injustice, etc. I say mildly interconnected only because the outcome of one doesn't really rely on any of the others and in many ways, they could function as a set of straightforward short stories. However, the structural twist does keep you engaged.

Some of the 'invented' language could put people off (I guess that's why it made it into that article but I mean come on, have these people never read William Burroughs or Clockwork Orange?) but once you wrap your head around it, it is the simple power of David Mitchell's storytelling which drives you through. Recommended.

I guess it's because a lot of people who bought it were just jumping on the bandwagon, and would rather read something more... I dunno... straightforward?

I agree that it's not very complicated, but it *is* quite long, and that, coupled with the fact that it's not written in a consistently contemporary voice, probably means people give up on it. There's also the fact that they are interconnected stories, so to an extent you're asking people to restart a novel six times. Starting a novel is the hardest part.

Haven't read this but Number 9 Dream is one of my favourite books.

I was a *little* wary of 'Cloud Atlas' at first. The structure's not really anything new (though it is refreshing to see someone doing it since most novels these days are so blandly straightforward) and the first two narrators are difficult and slightly irritating, the writing overly florid. But it gets much, much better from thereon in, and Mitchell certainly knows how to keep you hooked.

I'm not sure how I feel about the overall message - reading contentious analyses of Geoffrey Hill's poetry leads me to conclude that simple is best, but even then, the overall thrust of 'Cloud Atlas' seems a little too simple. It basically rolls out the same ideas as most manga comcis, but with reincarnation in place of Japanese writers' penchante for complex spiritual subtext.

Others will say that 'Ghostwritten' (his debut) is better, but this is a real tour de force; a cascade of inter-related stories all told by thoroughly believable voices. It's all very relevant on a political level, too.

A great book with an interesting structural twist, the book starts in the past with the collonisation of the south pacific and moves through time and into a bleak future with genetically engineered "sub humans". Before repeating the process and finally ending up back where it started.

Despite featuring on richard and Judy, this is still a must read :)

I've just finished Ghostwritten by the same author, and if you liked Cloud Atlas then you will definitely be interested in this. Very similar structure (many different stories all tied together) and equally well written.

great book. felt for sooni 451.... Man is rapacious....etc

It is an excellent book - but you do have to concentrate. Try his Number 9 Dreams as well!

I agree with moomoo - very good book and definitely don't be put of by Richard and Judy!