Cloud Atlas

Did I mention I was reading this? It's very engaging so far, though (so far) I don't see a reason to be thrilled -- I have not, however hit the main gimmick or revelation, which people I have spoken to who've read it (incl. my daughter H) find either a remarkable whoosh/slingshot or a letdown

One facet of it, though, continues the questions raised about a hypothetical a Reader's Guide to Little, Big concerning allusions and references. I don't think I will spoil any thing and may increase the interest of it to note that one of the several successive stories told in it is about a high-born but caddish and self-serving young aristo who in the 1920s, broke and fleeing his gambling debts, goes to an isolated Belgian chateau where he knows a grand master of English music lives in retirement, dying of syphilis and having produced nothing in years. the young scoundrel, an Oxford grad and aspiring composer, offers his services as amanuensis and secretary. After some grumpy rejections by the old man he is taken on, and begins to try to take down some of the old man's music by dictation, which consist of a toneless humming and da-daing interlaced with notes about color and chord changes.

Well this whole story is in fact, in general and in detail, the story of the relations of British composer Frederick Delius and his secretary Eric Fenby. The main difference is that Fenby was devoted to Delius, an innocent and sweet-natured man who served him selflessly, and went on after Delius;s death publishing his manuscripts and promoting his music.

SO th equestion is: are readers expected to know this and make something of it? How would it affect a reading? DO you think less of the writer for adopting a historical situation wholesale, or admire the cunning? Guess you'd have to read the book to see.

(BTW the Delius/Fenby story was told beautifully in Ken Russell's film "Song of Summer," with Max Adrian as Delius -- one of a number of wonderful film bios that Russell did in the sixties -- Isadora Duncan, D.G. Rosetti.)