Help me to persevere with Cloud Atlas!

[ipredicttrouble]

A number of friends have recommended this book so decided to start it this week. But, man, I'm struggling with it. Give me some positive words to inspire me to keep reading!

[eurochick]

I did, but it never got any better for me.

[Polpotsbabyteeth]

I got to the end but sadly I'll never get those hours back. Boring drivel.

But, the book has plenty support on here and apparently you have to be very clever to 'get' it

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

You need Cote.

I thought it was awful and gave up, but she has never forgiven me.

I am v clever though.

[hackmum]

Well, I loved it. But if it's not your thing, it's not your thing...

How far have you got? It's written as five different genres, so maybe you'll find one to your liking!

[ipredicttrouble]

I'm only on Chapter 1! And it really isn't doing anything for me. I don't like to 'give up' on a book though.

[CoteDAzur]

It's a fantastic book. Incredibly well thought out & ambitious, with common themes running through six stories written in the styles of their moments in time. #1 is written like a Joseph Conrad book. One is a farcical comedy, another a detective thriller. #5 is dystopian and #6 is post-apocalyptic.

Remus says she doesn't like Cloud Atlas because she hasn't actually read it A mystery, since she is a dystopian/post-apocalyptic fan at heart and would likely have loved those stories with a passion if she had read them.

[ipredicttrouble]

I shall have another crack at it this evening. I think if I can get past the first story I might be ok!?

[Floralnomad]

I couldn't get into it at all ,it's one of only 2 books that I've given up on .

[nkf]

I could barely get through five pages.

[MarjorieAntrobus]

I got marooned in the middle for weeks, but I did eventually finish it. I liked parts of it a lot but, I have to admit , that I didn't "get" it until I saw the film; that pulled it together for me.

[bunkygirl]

First bit its really hard going but if you persevere its worth it. One if the best books I've ever read..

[mrscumberbatch]

I really enjoyed the book. Especially the sci-fi bit and the bit about New Zealand.

A good read. Was tempted to watch the film afterwards but worried it'll spoil it.

[Thewhingingdefective]

I thought it was hard work, but worth it. Awesome book. Loved the layer upon layer of cleverness.

[SmallBee]

I LOVED it. Some of the different stories were harder to stick with than others but it is worth it in the end, even the difficult to stick with ones turn out in a way I enjoyed.
I read it before I watched the film but typing this out makes me realise I never got round to the film......

[BeQuicksieorBeDead]

I love that book... Definitely in my top five. Give it a chance - my dp got halfway through and gave up, and since then has no faith in my recommendations! If you get halfway and still don't like it, perhaps you won't... It grabbed me quite early on as I remember.

And I am not supremely intelligent. ask anyone.

[notyummy]

I loved it and I wouldn't say I'm that clever tbh.

[PacificDogwood]

I thought it was fantastic and had real creativity-envy for weeks (I wish I could write ).

If you find it too daunting, try 'Ghostwritten' by David Mitchell. It's a fair bit shorter, but uses some of the same techiques (different stories that hang together).

Cote, gawn, link to your thread in which you interpret Cloudatlas so well

[Tabby1963]

I've watched most of the film (missed the first part) and couldn't figure it out, but loved it anyway. I bought the book on my Kindle last night and started reading today. I can recognise aspects of the film in the book, which really helps. I am enjoying it so far, and looking forward to finally getting to understand what it is actually about lol. Hopefully, one day it will be out on video and I can get my own copy to watch again...and again.

[CakeBotherer]

Ghost Written is far better than Cloud Atlas.

[jkklpu]

Don't. Ditch it now while you ahve the chance. Really, especially if you're anywhere near starting Sloosha's crossing.

[Wonderstuff]

I found the first half hard going, but really liked it as it tied all together, I would keep going, I did skim read some of the first chapters, it's one I want to go back to and re-read.

[PacificDogwood]

Oh, I am SO going to re-read it. Again.
Not v clever, me, clearly.

I did find the patois book a bit hard going, but it is amazing how I got used to it.

I suppose it depends on how avid a reader you are - I'd read anything, but CloudAtlas (and Ghostwritten and Thousand Autumns of Jan de Whatsit) stayed with me for a long time.
I gave up on 'Ulysses' after many, many attempts to read it though...

[FreakoidOrganisoid]

I have started this so many times and never finished it. Don't seem tobe able to get into it at all

[CoteDAzur]

Pacific

Here is the thread where I go over what I saw as the main themes running through the 6 stories and what I thought the author was getting at. All IMHO, of course.

I wrote that stuff after about the 10th thread where some people said they didn't get anything out of it.

OP - Maybe wait until you are at least 1/3 into the book to read that thread, though.

[MarjorieAntrobus]

Thanks, Cote, for the link to your thread. Your interpretation is impressive and thought-provoking. The film mainly picked up on the reincarnation thread, but then there's only so much that can be explored in a two-hour film I suppose. One day I shall re-read the book with your notes to hand. Thanks.