'The human race: are we poo or are we going to save ourselves', should have been the blurb on the dust jacket...lol. Oh, and definitely 'The Bone Clocks'.
Cloud Atlas is definitely one of those beast books I've been intimidated by. I'd love to get to it soon, especially after seeing your glowing review! :]
You've really sold it! I've heard things here and there about Cloud Atlas. It seemed like a book I would enjoy, but have just never bought/borrowed it. But hearing everything you had to say about it really sealed it. Definitely grabbing it the next time I'm at the library!
I loved The letters of Zedelghem, The Ghastly ordeal of timothy cavendish and half lives of luisa rey but they all worked so well I have no favorite :) Plus the movie is so good and true to the adaptation :)
I liked the movie and thought they incorporated the six story lines together quite well, but I think they altered Sonmi's story line too much. What was a story about AI civil rights turned into an actiony love story. That was my only complaint :)
You so convinced me to read it (and the timing of the review couldn't be better since this book will be released next month in my country). I've been curious to read a David mitchell book for years, but for some reason was saving myself for Cloud Atlas, although I couldn't quite remember (plotwise) why I wanted to read so bad. The thing that stick with me was the fact the stories were interconnected and this alone should bring a plot twist near the end or something. That beign said, I loved how you highlighted that is not all of what the book has to offer (to be honest, I may have bought as soon it becomes available, but it would take more than a promise of a plot twist for me to actually read it). Overall, I'm glad you enjoy and share your excitement with us. I'm curious to see your opinion over his other works :)
It's so interesting to hear from someone who loved this book because while I adore David Mitchell I really, really disliked this book. I found it so frustrating. The structure didn't give you much pay-off until you made it to the very end, which I struggled with. But besides my personal feelings for this book, I really appreciate what he did with this story and how influential it's been in 21st century lit.
That's so interesting because I never thought of this book in terms of "pay-off." I was so pleased with the entire reading experience. But I can totally see where you're coming from as far as the plots. It's a lot of start-stop if you're looking for a straightforward story :) Which Mitchells did you prefer??
I mean pay-off in the sense that you have to wait so long to get the concluding half of each story. For me that was hard to deal with even though I love his writing style so much. I adored "The Bone Clocks"! I also really liked "Black Swan Green" & "Slade House."
Okay, I'm bumping Cloud Atlas up the TBR list for sure! I mostly put off reading it because such a huge amount of people kept saying that they found it confusing or intimidating so the idea got embedded in my brain. The premise has me super intrigued, though, so I can't wait to pick it up! :)
Thanks for the motivation! I tried two separate times to start Cloud Atlas but could. not. gel. with that first narrative. Will try a third time BECAUSE YOU SAID SO. Cheers!
I'm so glad you liked it, you can see why people recommend it so often ^^ I'd absolutely recommend The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet as it is absolutely fantastic and captivating but in different and interesting ways. I need to read some of his other ones as well, I think he's a writer where I will always love his stories because he's so good at writing people.
I'm so glad to hear you liked TTAOJDZ (and thank you for actually knowing the title, unlike me)! I'm eager to get to it once my TBR pile is under control :)
Exactly! After I read this book I couldn't stop recommending it to my friends but none of them bothered to read it. I read it a few years ago, and Cloud Atlas still remains as one of the most impressive books I have ever read for the reasons you pointed out. So glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did! I got Boneclocks, haven't started reading it yet. XD
I watched the movie and liked it. I found the actors playing multiple parts to be a bit distracting. And I didn't like how they changed Sonmi's story into an action Romeo and Juliet thing. I thought it took away her agency. But I was in general impressed with how they adapted the book into a movie :)
Ohhh, I loved this book! I named it my favourite read of hmmm, 2013 I think it was and it's definitely also one of my all-time favourites. My favourite narrative was Sonmi's tale, but closely followed by the postapocalyptic one, I think I had goosebumps all over me the whole time I was reading that ;-) I also liked how Sonmi's tale was picked up in the last one.
SUCH a great review, honey! ^_^ I have it on my shelves, but I just havent gotten around to it yet - this just pushed it up on my tbr :) You should definitely pick up The Bone Clocks as well - Its so fast pace and a fascinating read. Its funny how Mitchell has gotten a reputation for being very difficult to read - from what Iøve read I dont see why at all - on the other hand I find his writing to be maybe a little bit superficial-ish (dont kill me) - more on the entertainment-side than the major handcore literary side.. :) xx
I won't kill you. And I agree! I really liked Mitchell's writing style, but I've read more beautiful writing by other authors. His writing style is what makes him a literary/popular fiction writer. I do think his writing is pretty dang good, though. No complaints from me!
I loved this so much! And I loved the movie - but I was disappointed in the way they did the android girl part. They turned it into an action adventure and missed out on a lot of the nuances of that part.... and for me, Moby Dick was the most painful reading experience of my life.
I completely agree with you about Sonmi's story in the movie! They totally changed it to an action love story, which is not like the book section. At first I really loved Moby Dick, but it's turned into a bunch of anecdotes. I want to hear more about the sailors and life at sea for them.... I'll finish it this year, I'm sure.
I'm extremely glad I watched this! I myself was put off by the first narrative but hearing your thoughts on it has made me want to push past my previous spot! Also did you watch the movie before or after you read the book?
I don't think so! I saw the movie after reading the book. I liked it, but it was doing something quite differently than the book. The awesomeness of the book is exploring the different voices of the narratives. Though you'll be aware of the basic plot points, there are always things that didn't make it into the movie or were changed :D And there are a lot of things Mitchell subtly brings up in the narratives that the movie couldn't touch on!
Hi Amanda! I've just picked up The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell & it's fabulous so far, a little bizarre but fabulous all the same. I have Cloud Atlas but I'm yet to pick it up. Great review :) xx
I really didn't like Cloud Atlas and I've been scared to pick up anything else even though David Mitchell really seems lIkea someone I'd love. :( . I bought number9dream and am hoping to like it better.
If you haven't already, check out MercysBookishMusing's author spotlight on Mitchell. That might give you a better idea of which of his books to try next. I'm sorry you didn't like Cloud Atlas, but I hope you find another book by Mitchell you love!! :)
'The human race: are we poo or are we going to save ourselves', should have been the blurb on the dust jacket...lol.
Oh, and definitely 'The Bone Clocks'.
Thanks for your recommendation! If the publishers for an upcoming special edition of Cloud Atlas want me to blurb it, I'll for sure use that quote ;)
I'm one of those people who has had this book on my shelves for years, and I've been afraid of it. You have encouraged me to give it a go x
I hope you enjoy it!! :D
Cloud Atlas is definitely one of those beast books I've been intimidated by. I'd love to get to it soon, especially after seeing your glowing review! :]
Also, totally unrelated but Brittany and I started Fudoki and I definitely don't want you to feel left out if you want in on the buddy read still!
I definitely want to join in the buddy read! Are you going through Voxer or Goodreads or something else?
You've really sold it! I've heard things here and there about Cloud Atlas. It seemed like a book I would enjoy, but have just never bought/borrowed it. But hearing everything you had to say about it really sealed it. Definitely grabbing it the next time I'm at the library!
Awesome! I hope I haven't steered you wrong :D
This review really helped me open this book & it is one my all time favourite books ever!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you
I'm so glad :D Which of the six stories was your favorite?
I loved The letters of Zedelghem, The Ghastly ordeal of timothy cavendish and half lives of luisa rey but they all worked so well I have no favorite :)
Plus the movie is so good and true to the adaptation :)
I liked the movie and thought they incorporated the six story lines together quite well, but I think they altered Sonmi's story line too much. What was a story about AI civil rights turned into an actiony love story. That was my only complaint :)
OH yeah... Your right they should have kept Sonmi's story arc it was pretty poetic in the book...
I suppose the actiony love story worked better cinematically, but it was clumsier than the novel, for sure!
You so convinced me to read it (and the timing of the review couldn't be better since this book will be released next month in my country).
I've been curious to read a David mitchell book for years, but for some reason was saving myself for Cloud Atlas, although I couldn't quite remember (plotwise) why I wanted to read so bad. The thing that stick with me was the fact the stories were interconnected and this alone should bring a plot twist near the end or something. That beign said, I loved how you highlighted that is not all of what the book has to offer (to be honest, I may have bought as soon it becomes available, but it would take more than a promise of a plot twist for me to actually read it).
Overall, I'm glad you enjoy and share your excitement with us. I'm curious to see your opinion over his other works :)
I DO hope you enjoy Cloud Atlas!! I'm curious to see what I think about Mitchell's other works, as well :D Happy reading!!
It's so interesting to hear from someone who loved this book because while I adore David Mitchell I really, really disliked this book. I found it so frustrating. The structure didn't give you much pay-off until you made it to the very end, which I struggled with. But besides my personal feelings for this book, I really appreciate what he did with this story and how influential it's been in 21st century lit.
That's so interesting because I never thought of this book in terms of "pay-off." I was so pleased with the entire reading experience. But I can totally see where you're coming from as far as the plots. It's a lot of start-stop if you're looking for a straightforward story :) Which Mitchells did you prefer??
I mean pay-off in the sense that you have to wait so long to get the concluding half of each story. For me that was hard to deal with even though I love his writing style so much. I adored "The Bone Clocks"! I also really liked "Black Swan Green" & "Slade House."
I thought that's what you meant :) It was a long time to wait, that's very true! I'll have to keep those other titles in mind :D
Yes! I loved this one too :)
HUZZAH!
Okay, I'm bumping Cloud Atlas up the TBR list for sure! I mostly put off reading it because such a huge amount of people kept saying that they found it confusing or intimidating so the idea got embedded in my brain. The premise has me super intrigued, though, so I can't wait to pick it up! :)
It's really not as scary as it's made out to be! I hope I don't steer you wrong :D
Thanks for the motivation! I tried two separate times to start Cloud Atlas but could. not. gel. with that first narrative. Will try a third time BECAUSE YOU SAID SO. Cheers!
I hope attempt 3 is very successful :D
Did attempt 3 take you through the whole book? How was it?
I'm so glad you liked it, you can see why people recommend it so often ^^ I'd absolutely recommend The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet as it is absolutely fantastic and captivating but in different and interesting ways. I need to read some of his other ones as well, I think he's a writer where I will always love his stories because he's so good at writing people.
I'm so glad to hear you liked TTAOJDZ (and thank you for actually knowing the title, unlike me)! I'm eager to get to it once my TBR pile is under control :)
Exactly! After I read this book I couldn't stop recommending it to my friends but none of them bothered to read it. I read it a few years ago, and Cloud Atlas still remains as one of the most impressive books I have ever read for the reasons you pointed out. So glad that you enjoyed it as much as I did! I got Boneclocks, haven't started reading it yet. XD
oh oh! Did you watch the movie? If so what did you think of it?
I watched the movie and liked it. I found the actors playing multiple parts to be a bit distracting. And I didn't like how they changed Sonmi's story into an action Romeo and Juliet thing. I thought it took away her agency. But I was in general impressed with how they adapted the book into a movie :)
Ohhh, I loved this book! I named it my favourite read of hmmm, 2013 I think it was and it's definitely also one of my all-time favourites. My favourite narrative was Sonmi's tale, but closely followed by the postapocalyptic one, I think I had goosebumps all over me the whole time I was reading that ;-) I also liked how Sonmi's tale was picked up in the last one.
I'm not a fan of dystopian narratives, which I think is the only reason Sonmi didn't rank higher in my fave stories list :)
SUCH a great review, honey! ^_^ I have it on my shelves, but I just havent gotten around to it yet - this just pushed it up on my tbr :) You should definitely pick up The Bone Clocks as well - Its so fast pace and a fascinating read. Its funny how Mitchell has gotten a reputation for being very difficult to read - from what Iøve read I dont see why at all - on the other hand I find his writing to be maybe a little bit superficial-ish (dont kill me) - more on the entertainment-side than the major handcore literary side.. :) xx
I won't kill you. And I agree! I really liked Mitchell's writing style, but I've read more beautiful writing by other authors. His writing style is what makes him a literary/popular fiction writer. I do think his writing is pretty dang good, though. No complaints from me!
I loved this so much! And I loved the movie - but I was disappointed in the way they did the android girl part. They turned it into an action adventure and missed out on a lot of the nuances of that part.... and for me, Moby Dick was the most painful reading experience of my life.
I completely agree with you about Sonmi's story in the movie! They totally changed it to an action love story, which is not like the book section. At first I really loved Moby Dick, but it's turned into a bunch of anecdotes. I want to hear more about the sailors and life at sea for them.... I'll finish it this year, I'm sure.
I'm extremely glad I watched this! I myself was put off by the first narrative but hearing your thoughts on it has made me want to push past my previous spot! Also did you watch the movie before or after you read the book?
I watched it after. I liked the movie, but they made necessary changes to turn this relatively unusual book into a cinematic experience :)
I've been wanting to read this forever but then I saw the movie(which I didn't hate) and I felt like it might have spoiled it for me?
I don't think so! I saw the movie after reading the book. I liked it, but it was doing something quite differently than the book. The awesomeness of the book is exploring the different voices of the narratives. Though you'll be aware of the basic plot points, there are always things that didn't make it into the movie or were changed :D And there are a lot of things Mitchell subtly brings up in the narratives that the movie couldn't touch on!
Hi Amanda! I've just picked up The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell & it's fabulous so far, a little bizarre but fabulous all the same. I have Cloud Atlas but I'm yet to pick it up. Great review :) xx
Thank you :D
I really didn't like Cloud Atlas and I've been scared to pick up anything else even though David Mitchell really seems lIkea someone I'd love. :( . I bought number9dream and am hoping to like it better.
If you haven't already, check out MercysBookishMusing's author spotlight on Mitchell. That might give you a better idea of which of his books to try next. I'm sorry you didn't like Cloud Atlas, but I hope you find another book by Mitchell you love!! :)
you literally look like lorelai gilmore !!! (Or lauren graham)