Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - 4.5 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell - 4.5 stars - My Review

This book is a weird and wild genre-blending commentary on human nature and history. It takes place in multiple countries around the world. The plot is complex. It contains six storylines that cross time periods. They initially appear to be separate but are all ultimately interconnected in the manner of a giant mental puzzle. Each is written in a distinctive voice and style. There are so many moving parts that I am not even going to attempt a plot summary. It emphasizes the effects of choices (with both good and bad outcomes) as they ripple through time. Themes include colonialism, slavery, greed, intolerance, power, freedom, and decisions. By leaping through time from the 1850s to the future, it portrays humankind’s tendency toward destruction and selfishness. The writing is erudite. Several stories get cut off abruptly and are picked back up later, but somehow it all works. There is much to contemplate in this book. It is not an easy read, but definitely worthwhile. I will likely re-read it at some point to catch more of the connections and references.

PBT Comments: This would make a great one to read if "weird" gets picked for next month's tag!

[Joanne]

Weird is the word for it Joy-LoL, lord I had a hard time getting through this book, you liked it more than I.

[Jgrace]

This book was somewhat weird, but some of Mitchell's other books top it for weirdness. The Bone Clocks and Slade House are also great 'weird' reads.

[Robin P]

As someone who loves "meta" fiction and pastiches (writing in a style of another era or writer), I liked this a lot. The nested structure is confusing but in the long run, it works. But I wouldn't recommend it to someone who just wants a straightforward story.

[Joy D]

Jgrace wrote: "This book was somewhat weird, but some of Mitchell's other books top it for weirdness. The Bone Clocks and Slade House are also great 'weird' reads."
David Mitchell is one of my favorite authors. I very much enjoyed The Bone Clocks, also loved Ghostwritten, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet and Black Swan Green.

[Joy D]

Robin P wrote: "As someone who loves "meta" fiction and pastiches (writing in a style of another era or writer), I liked this a lot. The nested structure is confusing but in the long run, it works. But I wouldn't ..."
Glad you enjoyed it too! I agree it's not for anyone wanting a straightforward story.

[Joy D]

Joanne wrote: "Weird is the word for it Joy-LoL, lord I had a hard time getting through this book, you liked it more than I."
I can definitely understand that it's not everyone's taste.

[KateNZ]

I love this book so much. I had a false start to begin with but then it clicked. Definitely in the weird category, but my kind of weird