Help me to persevere with Cloud Atlas!

The first chunk set on the ship in the 19th century is the hardest to read imo - if you get over that it does get easier.

I'm glad you find that thread helpful

LittleRobots - I would be very interested to hear what you think about CA's themes.

I thought it was fantastic! Our book club read it but it got a mixed reaction and I was so disappointed as I was really looking forwards to discussing the themes.

I particularly liked how he explored the 'power relations' and social interactions depending on class or status. That seemed to be the major theme for me as it was explored within each chapter. Also the idea of knowledge and truth - who has it, who has access to it. I'd love to think through the themes more coherently, it would make an ace book for study.

I'm going to read cote's review this evening when I have time to sit and read properly (and quite looking forwards to it!).

CoteDAzur, thank you for writing such a detailed analysis of CA and for linking it to this discussion.

Cote Thanks so much for your analysis! I'm reading Cloud Atlas at the moment and have picked up on some of the themes you mention. I enjoyed the first half of the book but found some of the stories in the second half less engaging.

Marjorie - Reincarnation was not an important part of the book, imho. There was only the comet birthmark that was mentioned a few times (not in the first story, afaik - because it was the villain Dr HG who was the one later reincarnated?). Also, a few flashbacks like Luisa "remembering" the castle of Zedelghem when she was reading Frobisher's letters. That was it.

I watched the film and while it was visually impressive in places, I thought it didn't manage to translate the film's essence to the screen. And the silly make-up/costume changes to "reincarnate" the same actors in every story were very distracting.

And of course it had to give the film a happy Hollywood ending which is of course not how the book ends.

If you're only very near the beginning and the style of the story is not for you then you can reassure yourself that it's only 1/6 of the book, and the rest is in other styles.

I love Cloud Atlas. Must reread one day with Cote's notes to hand.

BUT: Not only is not every book for everybody, but I also feel quite strongly that time and place can be relevant to whether you really get or enjoy something or not.

I often put books down or leave them these days - life's too short and there are millions of other books out there: you would never have enough time to read everything you 'should' read if you did nothing else all day and night.

I had an awful and worrying time last year with dh's health and read some chick lit for the first time in my life - couldn't focus on anything clever or worthy at all. Luckily his health and my reading taste have both recovered a little!

Dream Number 9 is a far better book by the same author. Sadly it missed the acclaim that Cloud Atlas recieved.
Read that instead, it will be time much better spent.

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.

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.

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

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...

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.

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

Ghost Written is far better than Cloud Atlas.

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.

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

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

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.

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......

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

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.

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

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.