66 pages • 2 hours read
Cloud Atlas
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Book Brief
509
Novel • Fiction
The South Pacific • 1840s
2004
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Cloud Atlas by David C. Mitchell is a 2004 novel composed of six interconnected stories in a nested structure, spanning from the 19th century to a distant post-apocalyptic future. The protagonists react to events from previous stories, and the chapters reverse order after the midpoint. Events involve themes of exploitation, rebellion, and the enduring impact of human actions across time. The novel depicts slavery and discusses racism, death by suicide, and sexual abuse.
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Nostalgic
Adventurous
Reviews & Readership
266,054 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
David C. Mitchell's Cloud Atlas is lauded for its ambitious structure, interweaving multiple genres and narratives that span different eras. Critics appreciate its thematic depth and innovation, though some find its complexity challenging and the transitions between stories jarring. Overall, it is hailed as a daring literary piece that rewards persistent readers.
Who Should Read Cloud Atlas?
Fans of ambitious, multi-layered narratives and interwoven storylines will find Cloud Atlas by David C. Mitchell captivating. It appeals to readers who enjoyed the intricate plots of The Bone Clocks by Mitchell and the philosophical depth of Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. This novel is ideal for those intrigued by historical, dystopian, and post-apocalyptic settings.
266,054 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
ADAM EWING
ADAM EWING
A 19th-century American who chronicles his travels across the Pacific in a diary, which influences future generations with his gradual ideological shift towards abolitionism.
ROBERT FROBISHER
ROBERT FROBISHER
A young, ambitious composer whose story is told through letters to his lover, Rufus Sixsmith, while he navigates his complex personal and artistic ambitions in Belgium.
LUISA REY
LUISA REY
An investigative journalist finding her footing in the world of hard-hitting journalism, whose quest for the truth propels her into dangerous corporate intrigue.
509
Novel • Fiction
The South Pacific • 1840s
2004
Adult
18+ years
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