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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Bit confusing at the beginning, but all comes together in the second half. Genius!
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4.5*
An intriguing book exploring six different characters, six different souls nestled into one another.
Rounding down to 4 instead of rounding up to 5 because of the Sloosha chapter - I get what David Mitchell was trying to do with it, and it felt like the climax of the book (as after all it was the only storyline mentioned in just one chapter, so it had to be the summit) but I couldn’t follow the action very well.
Other than that, I was impressed by the versatility of the writing. Thoroughly impressed by the stories as well - Frobisher and Luisa’s stories felt more interesting, while Timothy and Ewing’s were more a reflection of these characters. Sonmi, I enjoyed especially.
Overall rather innovative and creative writing. This book explores themes of slavery, of oppression, and it does so well, through depictions of colonialism, depression, and a futuristic dystopia so disturbing and so rooted in reality that it makes your hairs stand on end.
Generally, a book that makes you think. I was, at the very least, encouraged to look reviews and blogs up and read through them to see what others think about this book.
An intriguing book exploring six different characters, six different souls nestled into one another.
Rounding down to 4 instead of rounding up to 5 because of the Sloosha chapter - I get what David Mitchell was trying to do with it, and it felt like the climax of the book (as after all it was the only storyline mentioned in just one chapter, so it had to be the summit) but I couldn’t follow the action very well.
Other than that, I was impressed by the versatility of the writing. Thoroughly impressed by the stories as well - Frobisher and Luisa’s stories felt more interesting, while Timothy and Ewing’s were more a reflection of these characters. Sonmi, I enjoyed especially.
Overall rather innovative and creative writing. This book explores themes of slavery, of oppression, and it does so well, through depictions of colonialism, depression, and a futuristic dystopia so disturbing and so rooted in reality that it makes your hairs stand on end.
Generally, a book that makes you think. I was, at the very least, encouraged to look reviews and blogs up and read through them to see what others think about this book.
First opening story is very hard to get into, so nearly gave up, but beyond that it is wonderful. Particularly enjoyed the middle section. Has an interesting / unusual structure with stories interrupting each other and continuing in reverse order. Some plots are definitely stronger than others, and it is hard to remember the details from the first halves because of the structure. Might benefit from a second reading to really appreciate all the interconnections between the stories and characters.
A nice read but not as nice as thought it would be. Was expecting to be mind-blown, it was okay.
Sadly, I was unimpressed by Cloud Atlas by xxx. Short of the Sonmi xxx sections, I didn't find it very engaging and felt little attachment to any of the characters. It's not poorly written, but it seemed as though it had been cobbled together from a bunch of not-quite-finished short stories. And although they're supposed to be inter-related, I found that the common thread (a comet shaped birthmark) was tenuous at best.
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
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
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.
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.