tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204542.post110006127718189151..comments2024-03-27T14:57:37.031+05:30Comments on Jabberwock: Cloud Atlas reviewJabberwockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10210195396120573794noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204542.post-48454575936650149312012-05-11T19:12:27.780+05:302012-05-11T19:12:27.780+05:30This is one author where, even after reading 3 boo...This is one author where, even after reading 3 books now (Cloud Atlas, Number9dream and ghostwritten), am undecided whether they are good or not.<br /><br />He definitely has his strong (and I mean really strong) points - Daring and Experimental style, Amazingly smooth flow in the narratives, seamless transition in narratives etc., I feel he distinctly lacks a stiry to tell. He may do better if he focuses on a single story or style or at most 2 (like Murakami).<br /><br />But yes, he is still only a decade old and am looking forward to his later works as I feel he has a lot to offer.Sidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204542.post-67347557198280424062009-07-11T04:36:10.683+05:302009-07-11T04:36:10.683+05:30Didn't think much to Cloud Atlas. Most of the...Didn't think much to Cloud Atlas. Most of the stories are clichéd and derivative of other works (especially the Noir/detective and Somni's sci-fi stories). The funny thing is that Mitchell is fully aware that his individual stories are unoriginal (he even points it out several times in the book). So he did it on purpose; he may well want me to think that it is the structure of the overall book that matters, rather then the originality of the stories, but I'm not buying that. Mitchell is indeed versatile, but why should I bother with his derivative tales, when I could just as well enjoy the better, original stories that influenced him?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204542.post-1130680298585500952005-10-30T19:21:00.000+05:302005-10-30T19:21:00.000+05:30Cloud Atlas is a triumph and thoroughly enjoyable....Cloud Atlas is a triumph and thoroughly enjoyable. The format, skipping forward then back through time, is bold and original and works well to complement the underlying theme of the book; that although the oppressive and predatory nature of human beings may ultimately lead to our destruction, there is a good in human beings that will remain through the ages, struggling to make the world a better place. I found the links between the characters rather hazy, but the suggestion of reincarnation of the characters is intriguing. The cynical, dark humour employed by Mitchell is brilliant, utilised particularly successfully in "The Ghastly Ordeal of Timothy Cavendish". I advise everyone to pick up this book and start reading, you might just learn something.<BR/><BR/>PS. VG REVIEWAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204542.post-1107003386244004472005-01-29T18:26:00.000+05:302005-01-29T18:26:00.000+05:30Cloud Atlas is indeed difficult. But six good stor...Cloud Atlas is indeed difficult. But six good stories in one novel is very impressive- great imagination. Though all are quite consistent in quality, "the Ghastly Ordeal" is perhaps the best and least pretentious of the lot. Found it very enjoyable. But I just don't understand why he added the silly birthmark/re-incarnation angle. Just to receive extra flak?rykohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09509794359807189171noreply@blogger.com