From the Bookshelf of The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club…

Cloud Atlas

David Mitchell

Start date: June 1, 2020

Finish date: July 31, 2020

Why we're reading this: This book was voted on by our members as a good example of structure. Discussion day will be July 22nd.
[close] This book was voted on by our members as a good example of structure. Discussion day will be July 22nd.

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What Members Thought

Jun 25, 2013 Toi Thomas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, sci-fi, general-fiction, spiritual

This is a really good book that still has me a little confused a month after listening to the audio presentation of it. I can’t image how Hollywood was able to pull this story off, but maybe one day I’ll bring myself to the point of watching the movie.

I’m not going to make any attempts to sound super profound here: I like this book because it was magical in a completely magic-free way. Themes that come to mind in this story of stories are: reincarnation, propaganda, racism, the power of knowled This is a really good book that still has me a little confused a month after listening to the audio presentation of it. I can’t image how Hollywood was able to pull this story off, but maybe one day I’ll bring myself to the point of watching the movie.

I’m not going to make any attempts to sound super profound here: I like this book because it was magical in a completely magic-free way. Themes that come to mind in this story of stories are: reincarnation, propaganda, racism, the power of knowledge and or education, and so much more…and of course there is a sense of love, but not really romance. There is sex, violence, music, art, philosophy, and more all cosmically mingling from one story to another in this odd anthology.

I’ve probably already confused a few people, but that’s ok because I’m still a little confused myself. I mean, I get it. I understand what I heard and how it all works together, but just don’t know if I get the meaning of it all. What I do get is a warning about the human condition and the many great and scary things we are capable of. When advancements in technology, communication, and politics come together it’s powerful, but that’s only one part of it. Time and change is a variable humanity has no control over and it seems to be the ultimate mastermind of fate.

I seriously do not have the words to describe exactly what it is about this story I loved, I just know I was intrigued and compelled to complete it from the very start. I’m a lover a well told stories and this book tells amazing stories and a very creative way. This book makes you think about things you never knew you neglected, at least I did. I can clearly see that this book would be too intense for a great majority of my friends, which is why most of them have seen the movie, and based on their responses to that, it’s a good thing they stayed away from the book.

In any case, I think this is a great adult read. Something to get your mind going to places you never thought to go. The pace fluctuates, the themes and stories can be confusing, but reaching the end is totally worth it.
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3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2019 Kathy Trueman rated it really liked it

This book was incredible, everything the description promised. I was blown away by the different voices telling the story - each of them was completely different, with different situations, philosophy, character, and style.

It's an impressive tour de force.

It gets 4 stars from me because it's such a downer and because it left me wondering in places "What happened?" Yes, personal opinion, I admit. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 29, 2013 Victoria Sanchez rated it it was ok

Shelves: dnf

My friend Rachel wrote a review of Cloud Atlas which exactly mirrored my opinion - and it's damn fine review - so I'm going to just add a link to it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Is this breaking GR protocol?? ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 30, 2015 Jemima Pett added it · review of another edition

Shelves: abandoned, bookclub

As other reviewers warned, it starts with a mannered extract, mannered in the style of an 18th or 19th century explorer, which is mostly mildly interesting. The next part is narrated as letters to a friend from a self-serving upperclass twit trying to survive his bad habits through ingratiating himself with others. I felt this pretentious drivel was included only to show how brilliant the author was at his detailed research, and to give him an opportunity to show it by namedropping on every othe ...more

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Dec 10, 2016 Karin Mitchell rated it did not like it

Shelves: fiction, literary-fiction

I'd seen so many good reviews of this book that I kept thinking if I stuck with it, the book would come together and move me. It did show some writing chops in being able to move from voice to voice but that's all I can say for it. Every time I finally got into a story, it changed. I can't believe this was published and absolutely don't understand everyone loving it. I felt like it was difficult to read without a purpose to that difficulty. I don't mind a challenging read but expect to be reward ...more

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May 27, 2017 Michal rated it liked it

Shelves: literary-fiction, z-2017-bookchallenge

not my haskafah, but still a brilliant structure and wonderful prose. Have to be patient with the way the story is strung out and the ambiguity in the plot.

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