Cloud Atlas: A Novel by David Mitchell Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Cloud Atlas: A Novel
Book Review: A Masterful Puzzle
Summary: 5 Stars
Without a doubt, CLOUD ATLAS is one of the most innovative, ambitious and creative novels I've encountered in years. Admittedly, it takes some time and patience but for most readers it will prove to be quite rewarding and satisfying in the end. CLOUD ATLAS is six stories in a single novel. The stories and characters, which seem only loosely related at first, turn out to be subtlety and intricately interconnected - at least to the careful reader. For the first part of the novel, the action jumps forward in time until, at the end of the sixth story, where it begins to zip backwards. And it is there, at that moment of turning that the fascinating pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place. Other reviewers have done a fabulous job chronicling the action of the plot, but very briefly and without spoilers...
"The Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing" both begins and closes the novel with the mid-nineteenth century tale of a Christian, hypochondriac at sea. Journeying back to his native California, the protagonist chronicles his illness and treatment (at the hands of the compellingly suspicious Dr. Goose) as well as the Mellvillian politics of an American Schooner.
The action suddenly jumps to the early 1930's in the utterly delightful "Letters From Zedelghum". This section, inspired by the relationship between the aging composer Delius and his assistant / amanuensis, Eric Fenby, is voiced through the droll letters of the imaginary composer Robert Frobisher to his best friend and one-time lover. Personally, I enjoyed this section and, as someone at lest mildly acquainted with classical music, must say that Mitchell does a mostly credible job with musical terminology and language. The first part of the Frobisher story features Robert's discovery of Ewing's journal and the latter part explains the title of the novel itself.
Frobisher's friend, Rufus Sixsmith, leads us to the third section, "Half Lives: The First Louisa Rey Mystery" This is a standard, but well-presented thriller about a young reporter, Louisa Rey, who discovers what could prove to be a very deadly cover-up at a nuclear power plant. Unlike the first two installments, this section is written in third-person and almost appears to be a novel in and of itself. It is in this section that the reader is exposed to Frobisher's music.
In fact, in the fourth section, "The Ghastly Tale of Timothy Cavendish", the Louisa Rey mystery IS a novel read by the whiney and ill-fated titular protagonist as he endures threats, strokes and a "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" type incarceration. In some respects, I enjoyed this section the least, but I will admit that it was, at times, quite funny.
The fifth section takes a familiar science-fiction theme: the enslavement of what at first appears to be quasi-humans and makes it entirely it's own. "An Orison of Sonmi-451" is, in some respects the heart of this novel. Somni is an endearing and compelling character who helps lift this story out of it's obvious debt to Auldous Huxley and Margaret Atwood and keep the reader enthralled. I loved her, I really did.
Much to my surprise I also loved the final tale, "Sloosha's Crossin' An' Everythin' After". Do not let yourself get bogged down by the language of this - just read it. Let the speaker's voice resonate in your head and soon you'll fall into the sweet rhythm of his story. It is here that the puzzle pieces fall into place. Notice the names, "Prescient" "Meronym", etc.
As you read this watch for recurring motifs and appearances. Yes, the characters in the later stories encounter those of the earlier ones, but there are other interesting signs as well. For example, a temple mentioned by Frobisher makes a unique appearance in the world of Somni-451 and Ewing's ship appears later as well. Birthmarks, Swannekke Island and an animist place of worship appear several times as well. Themes of enslavement, elitism (both corporate and racial), pacifism, the role of the soul, and governments both good and bad swirl about this fascinating and well-crafted novel. As many have suggested, it is not a novel for everyone, but for the patient and the detective-minded, it is one not to be missed. I may not have enjoyed every section equally, but I truly loved the whole thing.
Book Review: A Masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
To read Cloud Atlas is to re-read it. One reading is not enough, and you will find yourself starting it over at the beginning once you've turned the last page. It is one of the best books I've ever read. Cloud Atlas is unique in scope and depth. It's a profound look at our world today even though the interwoven stories span centuries, from the mid-1800s to the distant future. A challenging read but well worth every moment.Book Review: A Pleasure to Read!
Summary: 5 Stars
I choose this book for our book club and boy did I pick a winner! This book is amazingly well written and catches your attention from the first page. Everyone in the book club loved it! It covers all genres and is simply a beautiful piece of literature.Book Review: A Time Travel
Summary: 4 Stars
I've never read another book like this, although it reminded me of many other books. To have stories written in the 19th,20th, 21st and possibly 22nd centuries, nested together like those Russian nesting dolls, watching as the past affects the future and then the future making the past more comprehensible, was an act very few could manage. It has a compelling story that follows these people through time. Bravo to David Mitchell. It was a treat. I'm recommending it to my book club. I'll be interested in their reactions.Book Review: A Winning Awesome Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
It's unbelievable that Cloud Atlas was written by one writer. David Mitchell's development of characters and settings is remarkable. I just ordered another of his books for a trip I'm taking. Classifying as historic fiction? Science fiction? Political fiction? It's all of them and more.