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Praveen
Initially it seems this novel is not taking you anywhere...the language of the first part is that used in the early nineteenth century. From second chapter onward the language changes as the time period of the narration advances ahead through 21st century and beyond and then after the ------------.
For me it was such a pleasant journey going through this book that I did not feel like picking up any other book...for fear of spoiling my taste.
Do read it..I assure you you will remember it for a long long time!
For me it was such a pleasant journey going through this book that I did not feel like picking up any other book...for fear of spoiling my taste.
Do read it..I assure you you will remember it for a long long time!
Eddie K.
Yes its definitely a book worth reading, although I dont think it should be as highly acclaimed as it is. There are many interesting themes running through it, the most obvious being reincarnation, but at times it does descend into more of an Andy MacNab novel than a serious piece of work.
In my opinion the Sonmi-451 story is a much more powerfully prtrayed distopia than can be found in some well known books that are soley about a distopian future. If you dont want to read the whole book you could read the Sonmi parts on their own without missing too much, but coming away feeling as though you have read a great short story.
In my opinion the Sonmi-451 story is a much more powerfully prtrayed distopia than can be found in some well known books that are soley about a distopian future. If you dont want to read the whole book you could read the Sonmi parts on their own without missing too much, but coming away feeling as though you have read a great short story.
Michael Foster
This book is very worth pushing through. The more you read, the more you fall in love with the characters and feel for them, and you will also begin to see the big picture that Mitchel wants to paint. He is all about a larger than life philosophical message that comes together at the end of his books.
Suze
I cheated by continuing straight on to the last chapter after chapter 1 ended mid-sentence. After that I read it as written, mesmerized. I also recommend watching the movie after finishing the book which brings further clarification by having the same actors play various roles throughout the different time spans.
Abyssopelagic
I put it down after around then for months. I agree with Jenny. I got through the first section and couldn't put it down.
Barry Haworth
I'm currently about two thirds of the way through. I'm finding that the different sections each draw me in such that I'm looking forward to revisiting them all in the second half of the book.
I'm also planning to take Susan's advice and watch the movie again after I'v read the book.
I'm also planning to take Susan's advice and watch the movie again after I'v read the book.
Jenny (Reading Envy)
The style will change quickly, actually in mid-sentence. There are six different styles in the book. Just get through the first...
Boy Blue
Yes! The first segment is like a Victorian novel but each segment is more modern and beguiling than the last. Once you reach the middle of the book you have six cascading endings ahead of you and it's like reading downhill. You won't regret it.
Jaksen
Old question but here's my answer.
No, a thousand times no! If you find it boring, toss it away! Life is too short to be boring! (You're allowed to be bored after you die, that's my take on the whole concept of 'boring.') I read the first section, or plodded through it, and right when it caught my attention, it ended! Gimmicky? Yeah, methinks so. I tried the next section and then while reading noticed the book had fallen to the floor - well, it put me to sleep is why. When a books makes me nod off, it's time to throw the book away. (Well, return it to the library. I would never have spent money on this.)
And so I did.
No, a thousand times no! If you find it boring, toss it away! Life is too short to be boring! (You're allowed to be bored after you die, that's my take on the whole concept of 'boring.') I read the first section, or plodded through it, and right when it caught my attention, it ended! Gimmicky? Yeah, methinks so. I tried the next section and then while reading noticed the book had fallen to the floor - well, it put me to sleep is why. When a books makes me nod off, it's time to throw the book away. (Well, return it to the library. I would never have spent money on this.)
And so I did.
Bobbi Jo
I finished it. I'd say no. No. A thousand times, no! There are better books and more enjoyable.
I agree with Edward Keag about the Sonmi portions. They are the most interesting.
I agree with Edward Keag about the Sonmi portions. They are the most interesting.
Kathy
No, not really. I have toiled through the entire book and it's taken me two months, off and on. The whole novel is shite, really, but I actually found the first two narratives slightly less awful than the rest.
Lacey
I thought the same thing but I persevered. It's the weirdest book I've ever read, but I'm over half-through and each section is definitely captivating and compelling me through. I don't like to read a lot of reviews or synopsis beforehand, so I took a gamble and am glad I did. Think of it like five novellas that all correlate in the end. If you're not fond of one story, don't worry, it won't last long and the next one will be quite different!
Ilse Wouters
The first story is indeed - according to me at least, but I see I'm not alone to think that - the most difficult one to get into, or rather to be absorbed by. Once I got to the second story, I couldn't put the book down anymore, and I also long to get all the connections between the different stories. Agree with Edward Keag that the Sonmi-451 is probably the most powerful story, but I am quite fascinated by the way the entire book gives a possible description of how the world will evolve.
Billkerig
I came to this book after completely loving his most recent work, Utopia Avenue. That book had a much simpler story structure that showcased his talents so much so that I decided I'd read everything he's written. I'd picked up Cloud Atlas years ago and put it down after 40 pages. I just couldn't get into it. The second time around, however, I loved it because I loved watching Mitchell work. This guy can really make a narrative sing. If you love that, perservere. If you just want a simple yarn, read Utopia Avenue first.
Matthew
Just finished it after three or more tries. Same boat as you're in... couldn't get through the first fifty pages or so.
So glad I finally did. My favorite author (I loved each of his other books) - but this one is his true masterpiece among his many masterpieces. Worth it, and then some.
So glad I finally did. My favorite author (I loved each of his other books) - but this one is his true masterpiece among his many masterpieces. Worth it, and then some.
Dianna
Are you the type who likes to sit and ponder the meaning of life? If yes, then it is worth plodding through. It is very complicated so if you just want a fun read this is not your book. You might consider listening to it on cd or watching the movie. (I want to watch the movie; I hear you either love it or hate it.)
Julie
Yes, it's worth it. I was just about it to put it down, too, but I'm glad I pushed through.
Husk Jones
I recommend to read until the second section. If, by then, you've not "gotten into" it, it's probably not worth it; you'll end up having to read as much you dislike as you like and would be, arguably, better of just reading something you prefer instead. A lot of people seem entranced by this novel but, personally, I found it gimmicky and wasteful.
If you're bored but interested in the science fiction (AKA what the other responses are 'highly recommending') then skip to the 5th section, 6th and 7th sections.
If you're bored but interested in the science fiction (AKA what the other responses are 'highly recommending') then skip to the 5th section, 6th and 7th sections.
Jack Clarke
I just read the first 30 pages and decided I'd give it a miss, though I've changed my mind after reading these comments! Also I enjoyed the film so will persevere with book and hope it improves. Thanks! :)
Rachel
The first part of the book isn't very entertaining, I admit, but it does get a lot better as it goes on - to the point where I couldn't put it down.
David
Yes indeed very stylised. I find I have to 're-read' many of the first lines through the first journal (Adam Ewing) just to follow. I'm hoping for some relief in after the beginning, otherwise I'll have to let it rest and move on in the interim.
Mary Mulholland
This is a wonderful book, so cleverly written in different genres, jumping from the colonizers to a dystopian future. I just loved this book so much, it is well worth reading dont miss out
Lissa
I'm on page 30 and was asking myself the same thing. I am going to forge ahead !
Mike
Personally I thought the first 55 pages were some of the best parts of the whole book. So if that isn't doing it for you, you might want to quit. That said, there are 6 different stories and different people like different ones, so maybe you'll like some of the later parts better.
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