<p>^ I haven’t read it. At 680 pages and 99 chapters, it sounds daunting–but at least Perec uses the letter “e” in this one!</p>
<p>I read it when it first came out in English. I was very confused. 
When you guys mentioned it I went to my shelves and found it - I would try again, but I too am daunted by the length. (If anyone wants to borrow it, PM me and I’ll send it to you!)</p>
<p>^Booklady what a nice gesture! CCers never cease to amaze me.</p>
<p>I have to say that I didn’t feel all that deeply about the characters, either. For me, the book was an intricate 3-D puzzle with important themes; the characters didn’t feel real enough, I think, for me to truly empathize with their journey.</p>
<p>I liked Cloud Atlas and have already recommended it to friends. That said, I find it a hard book - for me - to discuss. I enjoy reading everyone’s posts but find I don’t have much to share. Reading the posts I feel somewhat out of the loop: the idea of reincarnated souls throughout centuries and the clues that linked the characters appeals to me. I think I enjoyed stories that others found difficult - Adam Ewing’s 1700s journal and Louisa Rey’s 1900s pulp fiction. In a way the form of the narrative represents the time, even the full circle return to oral tradition with Zachry, and I found it made for quick immersion into the setting. I’ve thought about why I have so little to share when I liked the book immensely. It’s almost like I don’t want to tamper with the impressions the book left on me.</p>
<p>Ignatius, I agree.
This book was a struggle, and I told someone I had a love/ hate with this book when I finished it. The CC discussion has enlightened me about the absolute genius of David Mitchell. </p>
<p>And, Ignatius, I cross posted with your post above.
Your summary and analysis, works for me. I waiver, daily, between what’s true and not in this book.</p>
<p>ignatius, I noticed you were quieter than usual. ;)</p>
<p>I’m glad to know that it’s because you liked the book so much rather than because you liked it so little. </p>
<p>I completely understand not wanting to tamper with the impression the book left on you. Whenever my kids have to read one of their favorite works as part of a school assignment (The Outsiders, To Kill a Mockingbird, etc.), their response is invariably, “Ugh. Class discussion will ruin it.”</p>
<p>I have favorite books that I’m not going to even tell you people about for fear the response will be a polite “Seriously?” :)</p>
<p>I think one of the reasons the book is a little bit difficult to discuss is because its sections are vivid enough to elicit a range of responses in the reader, yet somehow none of them feels like a really complete story; in addition, as others have pointed out, many of the characters are not very fully drawn. Mitchell leaves you wanting more. </p>
<p>I had thought that I would understand the book much better the second time I read it, and that this would make it pretty easy for me to discuss it, but to my surprise neither has happened. One thing I’ve noticed, though, is that after rereading “Cloud Atlas” I now have a greater desire to read more of Mitchell’s work, and also to read more of some of the types of fiction that “Cloud Atlas” was modeled upon.</p>
<p>So right now I’m reading “Riddley Walker” (it’s so interesting to compare it with Sloosha’s Crossing), and I’ve started an exploration of Melville, who was previously basically unknown to me. I’m definitely going to read Mitchell’s “Black Swan Green” and maybe “Ghostwritten” and “number9dream.” And…who knows?..I might even give Wodehouse a try! </p>
<p>Mitchell can be frustrating…but he makes you think, and he makes you feel, and he can provide a good jumping-off place for further explorations.</p>
<p>^ completely agree</p>
<p>This book was the right one at the right time. I started reading it right before my kids headed back to school and I became entrenched in it. It warded off the empty nest blues. At the time, my S was interested in what I was reading and started asking me questions about the author. He then went into his room and came back with “The Thousand Autumns…”, thinking I might enjoy that book over CA. He didn’t explain why. </p>
<p>I feel this book has connected me to my S, my D (who was in Japan this summer), my (deceased) father, who loved sci-fi and watched “Soylent Green” with me many years ago ( I still remember my reaction), and to my H, who will see the CA movie with me. The Louisa Rey section evoked thoughts of my mother, who at 95 remains an avid reader of that genre. I also feel I have deepened my connection to my fellow CC book club peeps, who help to expand my inner world. I’ve enjoyed this discussion and wonder what is next on the horizon. As I have mentioned, I am now reading Wool, which was recommended by the Kindle folks. It’s not as intricate as CA but I like the pace of the story and the characters. Another book that has caught my attention is Ready Player One. I guess sci-fi/fantasy/dystopia is where my mind is at right now.</p>
<p>^ if CC had a “like” button, I’d be clicking it for your post Psychmom. Lovely</p>
<p>I’ve been lurking, but hopelessly behind reading this book.</p>
<p>I am halfway through Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy; anyone reading that?</p>
<p>
I liked that one, too–it also has a good audio version.</p>
<p>I started listening to an audio version of Black Swan Green and couldn’t really get into it. After about half of it, i skipped forward to the end. It just seemed to me like a more serious Adrian Mole.</p>
<p>I just stumbled across this quote from William Styron, which seems fitting as we wrap up Cloud Atlas:</p>
<p>“A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted at the end. You live several lives while reading.”</p>
<p>bookworm, CC threads live forever, or close to it, so come back and post after you’ve made it through the book. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Same goes for PATheaterMom—I know you’ve been catching up on posts. Oh, and on the subject of “post-discussion posting,” that reminds me: NJTheatreMOM, thanks for your additional comments on the Jane Eyre thread earlier this month. Very interesting!</p>
<p>This is around the time that we begin mulling over choices for our next selection. Feel free to throw out suggestions. And of course, also feel free to continue discussing Cloud Atlas. It ain’t over 'til it’s over.</p>
<p>^^^ Perfect quote, Mary.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I’ve eyed Ready Player One also. </p>
<p>
I let my hold at the library go after reading the reviews. I figure I can request it again at some point, should I want. Do you like it?</p>
<p>I just finished Age of Miracles - Karen Thompson Walker. (I swear all the talk of gravity made me dizzy. For any who’ve read the book: My daughter sent me this - [xkcd:</a> Sky](<a href=“http://xkcd.com/1115/]xkcd:”>xkcd: Sky) - but personally I think this - [xkcd:</a> Angular Momentum](<a href=“http://xkcd.com/162/]xkcd:”>xkcd: Angular Momentum)) </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/books/the-age-of-miracles-by-karen-thompson-walker.html?pagewanted=all[/url]”>http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/books/the-age-of-miracles-by-karen-thompson-walker.html?pagewanted=all</a></p>
<p>I am now reading Shadow of Night - Deborah Harkness. (You need to read A Discovery of Witches first.) Good enough - not great - imho. </p>
<p>and </p>
<p>I’ve happily started Kushiel’s Scion - Jacqueline Carey. Waving at BUandBC82 - I’m still impressed that you read these books in a month but I’m slowly catching up with you. I love this series: (Kushiel’s Legacy - NPR: Your Picks: Top 100 Science-Fiction, Fantasy Books). Kushiel’s Scion is fourth in the series … unless … a change in narrator and a shift in focus to the next generation signals the start of a second related trilogy. Definitely will continue the series.</p>
<p>Off the top of my head - I think maybe the next book club book should be hot off the press. We haven’t done that since 11/22/63, our February 1 book.</p>
<p>That said, I still haven’t read Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, and I still want to do so - maybe we should go back and look at others we considered and put aside for later.</p>
<p>Maybe the book club should think about choosing something a bit more traditional this time around, especially with the holidays coming and all. I’d like to suggest an author I’ve discovered through her very impressive stories in The New Yorker magazine. Her name is Tessa Hadley. I haven’t read any of her novels yet, but I want to.</p>
<p>The two that seem like the best possible choices are: The London Train and Everything Will Be All Right.</p>
<p>From a New York Times review of The London Train:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>From a School Library Journal review of Everything Will Be All Right:</p>
<p>
[quote]
…this multigenerational story has strong characters that are easy to differentiate. They invite readers to ally their sympathies with specific women among the cast, making this an easy entr</p>
<p>^ It doesn’t look like Everything Will Be All Right is available for the kindle, plus it’s a few years old. I would read either of the other two. I don’t like gratuitous violence, but I don’t think the The Round House falls into that category. I would be open to seeing how a respected author grapples with such a serious issue.</p>
<p>The Round House is getting great reviews. Erdrich at her best is really fantastic, and she is supposed to be at the top of her game in this one.</p>
<p>I found it did kinda bother me to not know whether the characters were fictional or not(in the context of the novel’s world obviously!)I kinda feel I need an anchor as to time and geographical setting. Otherwise I feel a little bit unmoored!
I loved everyone’s comments
Sixsmith-that was a good catch up thread-six stories,etc.
THe structure of the novel was like a musical composition.
I loved the history of the Chatham Islands that was inserted during the Ewing chapters-and then was re-echoed in post apocalyptic Hawaii.
I liked all the chapters but was most drawn in by Somni’s struggle to be human and independent-and the relationship between Adam Ewing and the doctor.</p>
<p>Very open to any book selection for next week. Love all the different types of books we have read!</p>