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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Cloud Atlas is a page turner. What else besides? I suppose there is some thematic connection among the stories, primarily an interest in exploring the exercise of power in human society. Consumption is also a major theme, and the dystopian future he imagines in the final story seems an accurate reflection of the anxieties many of us have about the state of 21st-century capitalism.
Loved it! What a unique way to tell a story. Although I enjoyed some portions better than others, and as they were all concluding my favorites ended I was left with conclusions I didn't care that much about. Also, its point is made very clear and subtlety is not its strongest quality; but overall I enjoyed the journey and the connections made throughout.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
slow-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I am dazzled by the form and style, and I loved two of the stories: Frobisher’s and Cavendish’s. However, the appeal of the rest of the book for me was the powerful prose, an almost Joycean capability of creating wholly different styles, voices, and language in one novel, and the impressive characterization, not the storyline.
The book was much easier to follow than the movie. The audiobook performance was very good and definitely helped with the understandability of the text.
The book was much easier to follow than the movie. The audiobook performance was very good and definitely helped with the understandability of the text.
A great book, though a challenge to keep all the jumps in time straight, I would guess, unless you've seen the very good film version (as I have). Each of the six parts could make a novel of their own, and still be quite good. I guess it can be classified as sci-fi, but it is much deeper than your typical sci-fi novel. Maybe I read it more negatively than it was meant to be, but it mostly demonstrates how nasty humans can be to each other, both on a personal level and as a society.
.
Spoiler
The fact that humans end up centuries from now as primitive savages on the one hand, and on the other hand some have left the earth and formed a better society on another planet, leaves the reader with some hope for humanity in the end
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
It took something like 6 months to read on and off. The film adaptation was kind of pithy in comparison to this book.
Re-read this again, finding a copy in a second hand book store.
Re-read this again, finding a copy in a second hand book store.
A wildly ambitious ode to humanity & our interconnectedness. A palimpsest (thanks for the big word, Kate Atkinson) of shared struggles & longings across time & place, culture, class, etc. Reflections on the merits of pursuing human values like truth, generosity & freedom in a relentlessly oppressive world. And a good time! This book called me unimaginative in 6 genres.