Reviews - Cloud Atlas | The StoryGraph

5.43k reviews for:

Cloud Atlas

David Mitchell

3.99 AVERAGE

lukashko's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

grant1788's review against another edition

4.5

challenging reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

jerick30's review against another edition

2.0

I'm not sure what to say about this book. Although at times the narrative is amazing and I found myself thoroughly engrossed - I cannot recommend this book. It has strong language in specific sections and some inappropriate content. I couldn't say how much for sure because as soon as I caught a glimpse of anything I skipped over it. I did love the closing paragraphs though. Read and re-read them.

pazmad's review against another edition

5.0

I don't love this book because it made me cry for a half hour, or because I started reading slower the closer I got to the end because I didn't want a tomorrow without these characters. I loved this book because of how full it was - full of skilled writing and interesting ideas. David Mitchell actually delivered a 'post modern' novel told from different points of view that truly were unique voices contributing to a whole. So many authors tell stories these days from different points of view, but the only thing different about the characters are the names. In Cloud Atlas I needed a dictionary while reading the Pacific Journal of Adam Ewing. Robert Frobisher's letters filled with rich and bawdy descriptions created a fascinating world where from his perspective mundane sound is music - everything is filtered through his musical sensibilities and morality is fluid based on his bank balance. Then Luisa Rey's story was written like a mystery novel - completely different tempo and style of writing. The hilarious ordeal of Timothy Cavendish was almost slapstick comedy. In the futuristic sections about Sonmi 451 and Zachry, Mitchell creates a plausible and compelling future state. Through all these characters' stories are woven themes about the role of corporations, faith and belief, and the marginalized versus the powerful. The comet birthmark orbits through the text and back again so we start where we began, and wondering what is our role in all this? What can we hope to contribute and influence? Everything? Nothing? Fascinating book.

the_fat_k_'s review against another edition

5.0

The ultimate book about exploitation, greed, power, and the seemingly small differences ordinary people can make.

How can something this good exist?

ssr052162's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 4%

I think it was simply something I wasn't in the mood for at the time. I'll pick it up again eventually. If I drop it again then I know it's not for me. We'll see.