Book 2 - David Mitchell "Cloud Atlas"
While experimental in his genre leaping poatmodern, interlocking Möbius strip narrative, Mitchell never loses focus of the important elements of a novel- it has something to say and it says it well. k. Authors who attempt tour de forces and experimentation can have a tendency to leave the reader scratching his head wondering what the hell is going on. Mitchell's echoing stories are very accessible with a caveat to which I will come back, and just fine, fine storytelling. The caveat. One chapter takes us to 19th century sailing, another to a future world and the middle story to an even later post-apocalyptic future world. The vocabulary in the first can be archaic and its references obscure if you are not familiar with that time period. While some may accuse Mitchell of purple prose in this section, that would be missing the point of who the narrator is, an educated 19th century gentleman. Anyone familiar with journals of this sort will see that the language is excellently suited. The other potentially challenging sections are the two futuristic ones. As is often the case with futuristic stories there is an argot, partly invented, and partly appropriating common words and giving them new meanings. With a modicum of patience these can be easily deciphered. Readers who have muddled through Hoban's “Ridley Walker” or Burgess's “A Clockwork Orange” will have not trouble.
I will not attempt to describe the plot or characters since there are 6 separate but interlocking sets. There are continuing thematic threads-identity, freedom, self, life progressions, failure of assumption, betrayal....the nature of truth, the role of stories.
At times, incredibly intellectual, at others surprisingly simple, but always extremely engaging. David Mitchell creates six totally different, yet related stories. Sometimes the connection seems a little too contrived, but at the same time, I appreciate the idea that he's trying to go for. The narratives are flawless, in that he masters 6 different voices so completely and effectively. . Awesome read! So far, favourite novel in my challenge.
http://davesmusictank.livejournal.com/700049.html
Jazzy's Dreamwidth site
I will not attempt to describe the plot or characters since there are 6 separate but interlocking sets. There are continuing thematic threads-identity, freedom, self, life progressions, failure of assumption, betrayal....the nature of truth, the role of stories.
At times, incredibly intellectual, at others surprisingly simple, but always extremely engaging. David Mitchell creates six totally different, yet related stories. Sometimes the connection seems a little too contrived, but at the same time, I appreciate the idea that he's trying to go for. The narratives are flawless, in that he masters 6 different voices so completely and effectively. . Awesome read! So far, favourite novel in my challenge.
http://davesmusictank.livejournal.com/700049.html
Jazzy's Dreamwidth site