You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Cloud Atlas
Group Themed Reads: Discussions
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November 2012 - Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
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Oct 29, 2012 02:47PM
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This is by the same author that wrote 'Number9dream' that was my September Buddy Read. As I couldn't finish it I am looking forward to reading this thread as to whether I should give him another go, or just leave him be.
My friend really wants to go see the movie. She suggested we go tomorrow night to get away from the house on Halloween. But, this is my first Halloween in the city, and I'm hoping I get some ghouls and goblins at the door. With all the snow on the ground, it's doubtful though.
Yes! We usually get some snow around Halloween and then it warms up and melts, and we have nice fall-like weather again. But this year!!! I don't know what happened, but it snowed all weekend. We must have about 3-4" of snow on the ground. This amount of snow is unusual for this time of year. I hope the kids still have a fun Halloween in spite of it.
Too bad all the YLTO members couldn't meet up and see the movie together!
Halloween was cancelled last Halloween in NJ due to snow.... and probably cancelled this year due to the hurricane. My poor jersey friends. I'm watching it from afar and really sad for my neighbors, friends and tenants (and friends) in our house! Anyway..... I downloaded the book and am ready to get reading! I think this book is going to be a challenge for me, but the reviews are good so Im excited to read it! I'm sure the movie wont come out here (malaysia) for awhile so I'll have plenty of time to read the book before I see the movie!
Everyone in the wacky weather.... rain, floods, snow... etc.... stay safe! :)
April wrote: "Too bad all the YLTO members couldn't meet up and see the movie together!"Wouldn't that be fun! ; )
Judy ~ yes, we called several of our friends/neighbors to check on them. My neighbor had 4 trees down, another neighbor has tree on roof (but didn't go through) but thankfully no trees down in our yard. They are all without power and probably will be for a week, but all doing good! VEry devastating for NJ. Our town is 30 miles inland but many roads still closed and all traffic lights still out in our little town. THe shore looks like it was devastated. I wasn't much of a NJ shore girl, but sad! Thanks for asking. It's been weird watching it on the news and not being there to help our neighbors!
Judy wrote: "It's been weird watching it on the news and not being there to help our neighbors! I bet. But so glad to hear that all you know and love are all right. I bet you're thinking that kind of storm was..."So true.... we are getting our fair share of rain and lightning and thunder (as it is "rainy season") but haven't had wind! :)
UGH.... i'm waiting for midnight (3 hours) so I can start reading Cloud Atlas! I may cheat and start a few hours early!
Happy Halloween to you all! :) (we just had trick or treaters in the rain and they were all so cute!)
You don't have to wait, Jennifer :) the group reads only require participation in the discussion, so you can read whenever you like!
I loved the structure of this book. I can't describe it but remember that it felt like like the story was folded. If anyone gets what I mean help me describe it.What I mean is that the first story ends the book the second story is the penultimate story as well and so on. Very cool.
The book was very complicated and the different voices could be challenging at times. Sometimes it was hard to find the link between the stories.
I really enjoyed this one but I have to say some in our bookclub did not like it at all (they also tended to be ones that don't like science fiction or fantasy so some of the nested story did not appeal to them).
I found this quote from a review that made me laugh and I get what they are saying:
The Daily Telegraph gave the novel a mixed review focusing on its clashing themes, with Theo Tait noting: "In short, Cloud Atlas spends half its time wanting to be The Simpsons and the other half the Bible."
Started the book today and so far I like it. The idea that it is told by different voices intimates me a little. Sometimes find it hard to keep track of everything.
I meant intimidates me. Lil.
I just am trying to get through the first chapter. I read a review that if you hang in there through the first chapter you will make it through the book! :) This one is going to be a challenge for me.
It was challenging for me too and it was later that I got challenged. I really loved the first and last bits. Well, didn't love all the characters but some made me laugh even though they were so "of a different time". I am thinking of teaching people to smoke. You will know it when you get there.
I'm still trying to tie up other books too, Amy. Probably next weekend for me!
Shannon, the structure is often described as being like Russian dolls (on inside another), but a far better analogy I read in a review here is this: Imagine six books, each open near the middle, then stack them on top of each other. Thus the first section is the first half of the "book" that is also at the end, and the middle story isn't broken up at all. In addition, there are ways the plots and characters of individual components are connected.
It's easier to read than that may make it sound, but I think it's a nice, visual, bookish way of thinking about it.
Yes, that is how it is, a stack of open books. And I really liked the structure.One difficulty that I had was I found I was always looking for the tie that binds the books together and in some cases I am not sure that I found it or that it was there to find?
Did anyone else run into this?
There are many answers to that, Shannon.When I first read it (shortly after publication), I saw connectedness and predacity as the uniting themes - in addition to the way specific characters and books are linked to each other, such as one finding a copy of the preceding letters or story.
I'm a third of the way through a reread, and although I agree with my earlier impression, I think there are at least a couple of other common ideas, that of a journey or transformation, and of escape and freedom.
By the time I've finished, I'll probably add some more, and other readers will have different ideas.
So, has anyone finished the book AND seen the movie? The movie hasn't come to my town yet and I really am hoping it does soon! I am so curious. I really hope they did a good job.
The film won't be released until mid February 2013 in the UK. :(
I'm going to the movie tonight with a couple of friends.
Janice wrote: "I'm going to the movie tonight with a couple of friends."You will have to let us know how liked it! So excited to hear about it!
I really enjoyed the movie! Towards the beginning, I was thinking it was going to be a waste of time. But as it progressed and I began to see how all the layers were connected, I began to enjoy it. By the end, I was very impressed and moved by it.Now, I'll have to read the book. And I'll buy the DVD when it comes out.
Janice wrote: "I really enjoyed the movie! Towards the beginning, I was thinking it was going to be a waste of time. But as it progressed and I began to see how all the layers were connected, I began to enjoy i..."Wow, Janice, that's quite the endorsement.
It still is not in my town and I am afraid I will have to go away for work for a couple of weeks and that it will come out while I am away. (Yes, I live in a small town but work is taking me to even smaller and more remote).
A few of the stories in this book would have made a very good book all on their own. But mixed together in the manner they were--does the man (and his editor) have attention deficit disorder?--and connected by a highly stretched imaginary string does not a good novel make. If you want to be able to think it through and actually make a real connection to the stories you will be disappointed in this book.
I struggled through the first half of the book trying to fit the connections together--not satisfied with the connection of "Ohhh, they both looked at the clouds and wondered" or "oh, my! that person read something that other person wrote". I kept thinking I'm wasting my time.
The second half--I enjoyed the continuation of several of the stories. I began to think--this might turn out to be good after all.
The very end I found very disappointing. Total waste of time.
For me, the most satisfaction followed my rating of the book on Audible. They offered to return the credit I used to purchase the book. A good ending after all!! : )
I still haven't finished this book. I think he should have made these stories stand alone short stories. The links between stories seem to be contrived.
Lori wrote: "If you want to be able to think it through and actually make a real connection to the stories you will be disappointed in this book."Evidently you and some others were, and that is fine, but not everyone reacts that way; some people enjoy or even love it.
Personally, I like the structure and think it works quite well, even though it is so contrived. However, I think his Ghostwritten is better: it has similar themes, and connected stories, but in a subtler way.
I wanted to read this book because the movie had a cast I like. Not really a good enough reason to read something, I know. But I did give it a try. I don't think I'll finish it right now. Maybe sometime later, much later really. If I have to struggle to read a book, especially one that so many of us feel is contrived, it just won't keep my interest long enough. Besides I don't think reading should be a struggle. Just my opinion. So, for all of those who love this one, I commend you. For those who don't, I understand. I'll go back to my Dickens, Wells, Verne, throw in some JD Robb, Patterson, Morton, Orringer and anyone else that crosses my path.
OMG....I must be really stressed because I'm having a hard time just typing a post! So....we are in the process of a big move. It is very stressful, especially this time of the year. I have only read the first 2 pages but I'm already concerned and I want your advice. Why is this book intimidating me? Is it because I'm so stressed? Maybe this is something I should read at a later time? Or, maybe If I keep reading I will discover that it's not so intimidating after all?
I liked it but it did divide my in person book club. Nobody LOVED it but a few of us really liked it. A couple of us have plans to go see the movie together. Some didn\t like it but they didn't like the futuristic part.The thing I love about books and bookclubs is that there is one for everyone.
I am sorry that some didn't like it. I struggled with parts of it and with finishing it but I really did like it. If I remember correctly I gave it 4 stars which is high praise from me.
For the most part, I enjoyed four of the stories. Luisa Rey, Cavendish, Sonmi-451 and Adam Ewing. Cavendish and Sonmi's were probably my favorites. I particularly enjoyed Cavendish's escape!!
April wrote: "OMG....I must be really stressed because I'm having a hard time just typing a post! So....we are in the process of a big move. It is very stressful, especially this time of the year. I have o..."
Hi, April,
I found the first two stories in the book-Ewing and Frobisher-somewhat like a reading assignment in high school. It wasn't enjoyable at all. I had to make myself keep reading which seems ridiculous because reading, at my age, should be a pleasure not an assignment. I disliked the book based on the first two stories but I'm of the opinion that one isn't qualified to condemn a book if they haven't read the whole book so I kept reading.
With everything that is going on in your life right now I think you should pack the book in a box and try it again after the boxes are unpacked. A book should not be adding stress! Put the book away and turn on your favorite music!!!
Lori, I think that is just what will do. However, I am a bit sad about it. I really did want to get this book marked off my list.
I've not even started on this one, and it's doubtful I'll get it in before the end of the month (but stranger things have happened).Lori, it's a shame you found it so much like school-work, something none of us need to be reminded of!
My favourite parts of the book were the Pacific Journal of Ewing; The Luisa Rey Mystery; The Ghastly ordeal of Timothy Cavendish. I found the Somni-451 stories and the middle part of the book (Sloosha's crossing) to be quite interesting but not as appealing to me personally.I found this on wikipedia and thought it was quite interesting about the theme of ascension and descension (as individuals physically and as societies morally and ethically (as well as financially?). Please excuse the plagiarism.
Movements of ascent and descent, for example, appear in each of the six stories. They are suggestive of humanity's larger moral epiphanies and failings. Adam Ewing, whilst ascending the volcano on the Chatham Islands loses his footing and tumbles down into a hollow (pg. 19); Robert Frobisher is forced to jump from the first floor of a hotel to avoid paying his bill (pg. 43); the car of Luisa Rey is shunted off the edge of a bridge and falls into the water around Swannekke Bridge (pg. 144); the author whom Timothy Cavendish publishes ejects a literary critic from the 12th floor of a hotel (pg. 151); the clone, or fabricant, called Sonmi~451 ascends from the underground shopping mall in which she works (pg. 208), and her growing self-consciousness is also explicitly described as an "ascension". Finally, Zachry Bailey and Meronym climb and then descend the Hawaiian mountain of Mauna Kea, Zachry confronting the temptations of the devil (named as Ol' Georgie in the book) (pg. 282 onwards)
I may be of the minority on this discussion thread, but I LOVED the book. I admit it was quite a challenging read, but that's partly why I liked it. It was like a puzzle, and you have to work to filter through all the pieces. That said, if I hadn't been forewarned that it starts slow and is difficult to get into, I probably would have given up on it.I'm surprised that people have found the connectedness of the stories contrived. I felt the exact opposite. With the exception of the birthmark, I thought the connections were beautifully subtle.
On the other hand, I was disappointed in the movie, which did feel contrived to me. Although there were some beautiful scenes and I think the directors did an admirable job of transferring the book onto screen, I was felt some of the philosophy was lost (especially in the Frobisher and Sonmi stories).
It sounds like I made the right decision to watch the movie first. I saw the connection, and began to see it as one cohesive story rather than individual stories.I'm looking forward to reading the book now to see what the differences are between the two.
I've started this and was slightly bemused to see the first section ended in the middle of a sentence. I was tempted to read the last section & finish the story, but will read it in page order & trust that it will work...
The (non)ending of the first section caught me out. I first read it a week or two after publication, so none of my friends had read it and and there was no Good Read etc. I briefly wondered if my copy was wrongly printed!
I asked for this for my birthday and so far, haven't received it. I do have a birthday Book Depository order from my brother coming but I doubt it will get here in time for me to read with you all :(Around October-ish I stop buying books so I can have things my family can buy me for birthday and Christmas. I made a stupid call this time (although I thought the movie has come out, the book should be everywhere!).
I started the book last night, but only got a little way into the 1st chapter.
I finished the book and now I think there is a lot of food for thought. It makes me wonder what world we end up with. Since we see the future the ending isn't that hopeful. But as a cautionary tale of what might be in the future there remains hope.
I got to the 3rd section in the book last night, and now see what everyone was talking about - how they start and end. I am not sure I am going to finish this one in time or if it is worth it, unless someone convinces me that things will be wrapped up by the end of the book. The sections remind me of reading short stories. Personally, I do not enjoy books full of short stories. I guess I like to get into a story and savor it longer than a short story allows.
Cherie wrote: "I got to the 3rd section in the book last night, and now see what everyone was talking about - how they start and end. I am not sure I am going to finish this one in time or if it is worth it, unl..."That's what I think. He should have just written a collection of short stories.
100 Great Science Fiction Short Stories
by Isaac AsimovLOL, Beverly! Here is one I am not going to read. It was on my RECOMMENDATIONS list. :o
Cherie, in the second half, the links between the stories become clearer and many loose ends are tightened. I think it's an excellent book, and worth the effort, but I can understand why it's not to everyone's taste.
That's a shame, but when you do read it, if you comment here, you'll probably revive the discussion.
Okay - I guess I can continue reading it. I didn't remove it from my Currently Reading list add it to my 'started but did not finish list' yet. LOL.
