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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I saw the movie a few years ago, but it's been long enough so that I don't remember a lot of the details. I enjoyed the movie for its general ambiance and feel, but remember it being pretty confusing.
Not surprisingly, this book was a lot better than the movie. I loved the way the six stories were wrapped around each other like a set of nesting dolls (or like RF's Cloud Atlas Sextet). Because I had seen the movie, I knew that there were six characters going into the book, and was excited for each new story to begin. Then, as the stories started closing out, I was excited to float back through time to each to see how they wrapped up.
All six stories and characters were engaging, and unique. I loved how each character had their own voice and their own vivid way of describing the world around them. The references from one story to the next were subtle, but present enough so that the thread that connected them was constantly brought to light (Luisa's gun allergy, RF's mistrust for doctors, the repeat references to an Atlas of Clouds, the birthmarks, etc).
I listened to this book on audible, and all of the readers were good. I do think that I may have had an easier time catching some of the nuances between storylines if I had physically read the book, rather than listening to it, but listening to the book was a pleasant experience.
Not surprisingly, this book was a lot better than the movie. I loved the way the six stories were wrapped around each other like a set of nesting dolls (or like RF's Cloud Atlas Sextet). Because I had seen the movie, I knew that there were six characters going into the book, and was excited for each new story to begin. Then, as the stories started closing out, I was excited to float back through time to each to see how they wrapped up.
All six stories and characters were engaging, and unique. I loved how each character had their own voice and their own vivid way of describing the world around them. The references from one story to the next were subtle, but present enough so that the thread that connected them was constantly brought to light (Luisa's gun allergy, RF's mistrust for doctors, the repeat references to an Atlas of Clouds, the birthmarks, etc).
I listened to this book on audible, and all of the readers were good. I do think that I may have had an easier time catching some of the nuances between storylines if I had physically read the book, rather than listening to it, but listening to the book was a pleasant experience.
Absolutely incredible. I have no idea how you write something like this and am in absolute awe of this author's brain. I am glad uni forced me to read this because otherwise I would have probably given up after a few chapters because this is not the easiest book to get into or get through but for me it was absolutely worth it to push through. I have never read something this ambitious in structure and it might be one of the most unique books I've ever read. I am so excited to discuss this in class. Really really special and one of a kind. So good.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As someone who writes, I admire the imaginative daring that went into the creation of this book. 6 stories intertwined through time, each referential and connected in some way to the one before? And then to structure those in the order of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 - so that you're only getting the first half of each story in the first half of the book? The first story (journal) even ends mid-sentence! And then the narrator of the second story, reading the same journal, gets frustrated that the journal is cut off mid-sentence! I knew then that I was in for something very special.
As someone who does not really like historical fiction (I've tried and failed many times with various authors, some of whom are my faves), I struggled through the first few stories, but the lingering premise, and the mysteries and gall that the author displays kept me mesmerized throughout. And then of course he delves into the future into one of my favorite genres - Scifi - and totally wins me over.
This book made me want to go curl up in a leather chair and write, or just make art, while also getting me to look at my life and the influence I have on others and vice versa - and the influence we have on each other through various mediums. This is one of the most daring and imaginative novels in modern history.
While it's hard to easily recommend this given that it's not casual beach reading by any means, but if you're in the mood for heady, artistic, imaginative writing then this book is for you.
As someone who does not really like historical fiction (I've tried and failed many times with various authors, some of whom are my faves), I struggled through the first few stories, but the lingering premise, and the mysteries and gall that the author displays kept me mesmerized throughout. And then of course he delves into the future into one of my favorite genres - Scifi - and totally wins me over.
This book made me want to go curl up in a leather chair and write, or just make art, while also getting me to look at my life and the influence I have on others and vice versa - and the influence we have on each other through various mediums. This is one of the most daring and imaginative novels in modern history.
While it's hard to easily recommend this given that it's not casual beach reading by any means, but if you're in the mood for heady, artistic, imaginative writing then this book is for you.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I remember when this book first came out and everyone was talking about it. I couldn't wait to read it but somehow I never did. But when I finally got to it the first time, I was a little disappointed with it and soon forgot all about it. This time around was for my book group and I was interested in seeing if anything had changed for me. Unfortunately I don't know because I really did not remember anything about it. But I guess that is the good thing about the book. And again, Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it any better the second time around. My rating doesn't change.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated