Cloud Atlas: A Novel Summary and Reviews

Cloud Atlas: A Novel
by David Mitchell

Cloud Atlas: A Novel
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Book Summary Information

Author: David Mitchell
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Format: Deckle Edge
Published: 2004-08-17
ISBN: 0375507256
Number of pages: 528
Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks

Book Reviews of Cloud Atlas: A Novel

Book Review: "Revolutionary or gimmicky? Shan't know until it's finished."
Summary: 4 Stars

Cloud Atlas, so misleadingly referred to as a "novel," is actually a cycle of short stories that follows the reincarnations of one soul on its journey through human history. Each of the stories can be read by itself, but like any short story cycle, the work takes on new dimensions of meaning when the stories are read alongside one another. Mitchell's gimmick, if it can be called that, interrupts each story at a cliffhanger; after five cliffhangers, and one story told without interruption, CA finishes out with a rapid-fire succession of denouements and ends where the story began, circa 1850.

I would recommend CA, but hesitantly. For those looking for a book resting somewhere between thoughtful literature and thoughtless pulp, Cloud Atlas is a good choice. The characters are interesting and the plots are eccentric and fun, which makes CA an overall engaging read. Mitchell's control of different styles is also quite admirable, and is exemplified (in my opinion) by the epistolary mode of Adam Ewing and the dialectal, post-apocalyptic romp of Zachry. Each character sounds like themselves, and none of the characters rehashes any others.

On the other hand, for those looking for a book that will challenge them intellectually or morally, or will introduce them to characters so near to flesh and blood that we forget their literary origins, look elsewhere. The characters in CA were never deep or complex enough for my tastes and never emerged from the stories as real people. Frobisher comes closest with his intriguing mix of aristocratic insouciance and volatile brashness, and his unquenchable passion for music. No wonder Mitchell grants him such a meta-fictionally important role. However, he never takes on the different dimensions one might expect a character of his potential to develop; while multifaceted, he lacks the light necessary to sparkle.

Similarly, Mitchell seems to lack the maturity and wisdom to write a book of that particular sublime caliber for which some of us are always searching. If you're willing to aim below sublime, however, then give this book a chance. It's good, exciting fiction and definitely several cuts above most of the garbage circulating in print.

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