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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I can't imagine how the movie would be any good, but boy, I sure enjoyed the reading!
The book is long and it's hard to remember the details of everything story as the perspectives constantly alternate in this book.
Is it worth it to see the stories connect at the end?
Yes
Is it worth it to see the stories connect at the end?
Yes
Entertaining in places but not much more. Overreaching.
This book is intricately constructed, a series of six books in one. Could easily been a writerly show-off, but the individual books are compelling. And they comprise all styles, from historical fiction to science fiction. And normally I'm no sci-fi fan, but the future sections are the strongest of all the "books" here. And it raises an interesting question after it's all over... if there is a soul, and it exists as it does in this book-with no linking individuality or thematic continuity-then what IS it, really?
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See also:
• http://www.flavorwire.com/294548/10-great-science-fiction-books-for-people-who-dont-read-sci-fi
There was an interesting conversation a while back with two of my friends. One friend had read the book, but not seen the movie; I had seen the movie but but read the book; and the other friend had both seen the movie and read the book. Some switches made during the adaption were extremely jarring to the friend who had not seen the movie, and she vowed never to see it. However, after finally reading it myself, I was pleasantly surprised to how true it stayed, at least to a good percentage.
As someone who teaches writing and is also an author, I was impressed by the structure of Cloud Atlas. The level of detail in how these individual stories reflected upon each other swept me up in the moment, and I was thoroughly immersed in these worlds. It's cleverly composed, and while some voices stood out more strongly than the others, overall, I greatly enjoyed the experience of reading this novel. Cavendish's voice comes right off the page: the turns of phrase are brilliant throughout. I felt less connected to Zachary's story, as I'm sure many did, as the dialect was a challenge to get into--it took a re-read to fully "get" it, and it does add some interesting depth to the story. Sonmi's tale was also intriguing in showing how philosophy can be shaped over time. Very engaging, and I'd definitely go back and read it again in time.
As someone who teaches writing and is also an author, I was impressed by the structure of Cloud Atlas. The level of detail in how these individual stories reflected upon each other swept me up in the moment, and I was thoroughly immersed in these worlds. It's cleverly composed, and while some voices stood out more strongly than the others, overall, I greatly enjoyed the experience of reading this novel. Cavendish's voice comes right off the page: the turns of phrase are brilliant throughout. I felt less connected to Zachary's story, as I'm sure many did, as the dialect was a challenge to get into--it took a re-read to fully "get" it, and it does add some interesting depth to the story. Sonmi's tale was also intriguing in showing how philosophy can be shaped over time. Very engaging, and I'd definitely go back and read it again in time.
What a read! So, this book took me a while to get into it. At the start, the 6 different stories left me feeling like I hadn’t really had a chance to properly get into one story before it was cut short. Especially with the first 2 sections as, although well written, I felt confused as to what was going on and not yet attached to the characters.
HOWEVER the middle stories really hooked me (sucker for some dystopian/android stories!) and as I started to feel the connections, which felt primarily to be of the souls to me, I became more attached to all the storylines and characters. I also loved the inclusion of Frobisher’s musical sextet as a mirror for the book.
I zoomed through the second half of all the stories and was excited to see where all the characters would end up.
Although it took a minute to get into, I really enjoyed how Mitchell broke down any standard structure of fictional writing and completely made it it’s own, and because of that it’s really left a mark on my heart.
HOWEVER the middle stories really hooked me (sucker for some dystopian/android stories!) and as I started to feel the connections, which felt primarily to be of the souls to me, I became more attached to all the storylines and characters. I also loved the inclusion of Frobisher’s musical sextet as a mirror for the book.
I zoomed through the second half of all the stories and was excited to see where all the characters would end up.
Although it took a minute to get into, I really enjoyed how Mitchell broke down any standard structure of fictional writing and completely made it it’s own, and because of that it’s really left a mark on my heart.
I think I may have psyched myself out about this one. I was told that it was challenging, high-brow literature, and so I pre-judged that I wouldn't "get" it. I'm glad I gave it the college try, though, because I think these nested and entwined stories are very good. A few of them took some time for me to find the rhythm, but it wasn't insurmountably difficult.
I enjoyed the differences in tone and writing style among the six stories. And I liked most of the main characters, especially Luisa Rey and Sonmi-451 (I would have appreciated a whole book about either of these women, and I think Sonmi-451's story was particularly chilling and profound).
Ultimately, I enjoyed the unusual structure and style, and I appreciate the message that an individual's struggle against cruelty and oppression may not seem like much (and may feel practically pointless), but that many drops make an ocean.
I enjoyed the differences in tone and writing style among the six stories. And I liked most of the main characters, especially Luisa Rey and Sonmi-451 (I would have appreciated a whole book about either of these women, and I think Sonmi-451's story was particularly chilling and profound).
Ultimately, I enjoyed the unusual structure and style, and I appreciate the message that an individual's struggle against cruelty and oppression may not seem like much (and may feel practically pointless), but that many drops make an ocean.
Truly a masterpiece in many ways. Cloud Atlas brings together six very distinct stories, set in different times of history and written in various styles. I really enjoyed most of the stories, but story 6 was so lengthly and hard to understand which calls for the drop to four stars. The Cloud Atlas sextet of stories was beautifully done and each are woven together so subtly (in my humble opinion. Time to watch the movie!
Recommended by a fun boomer couple on a beach in Belize
Recommended by a fun boomer couple on a beach in Belize
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes