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Book of the month

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Join David Mitchell to talk about THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET, our September Book of the Month, on Wed 28 September, 9-10pm

155 replies

TillyBookClub · 01/09/2011 22:58

September's Author of the Month has been named as one of the most influential novelists in the world. David Mitchell has twice been shortlisted for the Booker and his novels attract vast numbers of readers and glowing reviews alike.

His latest book, THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET, is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Set in 1799, in the Japanese trading port of Dejima (run by the Dutch East India Trading Company, it is Japan's only window to the outside world), the novel follows young Dutchman Jacob de Zoet's struggle to win his fortune, battle with corruption and begin his love affair with the beautiful but scarred Japanese midwife who is dangerously close to the local Samurai lord. Ambitious, poetic, pacy, full of detail and immaculately researched - this is a novel that creates a world so fully realised that you become utterly engulfed in its pages.

We have 100 free copies for Mumsnetters - find out more at our book of the month page.

And get your paperback or Kindle version now.

We're delighted that David will be joining us for the chat on Wednesday 28 September 9-10pm. Look forward to seeing you there.

OP posts:
ThatllDoPig · 01/09/2011 23:01

Is he the one off Mitchell and Webb then?! Hope so, I love him.

RoundOrangeHead · 02/09/2011 10:48

no, it's the proper one Wink

RoundOrangeHead · 02/09/2011 10:53

I loved this book, but read the whole thing pronouncing Zoet like Moet, which is apparently wrong

sfxmum · 02/09/2011 11:23

so excited must try not to disgracefully go all fangirl

one of my favourite writers Smile

pinkthechaffinch · 02/09/2011 12:23

Ooh, it sounds like a good read, hope I get a free copy.

TillyBookClub · 02/09/2011 13:15

Thatlldopig, i love your nickname. It's not the TVcomic/Radio4quiz show/newspapercolumnist David Mitchell, but I can promise you that this one is even better.

OP posts:
TillyBookClub · 02/09/2011 13:38

And a quick note to say don't worry if you are getting an Out of Office reply to your free copy email. Your requests are getting through and we will post on here as usual when all copies have gone.

OP posts:
browneyesblue · 02/09/2011 17:19

Love his books! Am secretly hoping that the book-shaped birthday present sat on my cupboard is his new book.

If not, I'll be trying for a free copy :)

Bearcrumble · 02/09/2011 18:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pithtaker · 02/09/2011 18:11

omg, i love this man, or at least I love his books. Will be here for this.x

pithtaker · 02/09/2011 18:12

Argh! where the F..,l mk did that X come from?

sfxmum · 02/09/2011 18:23

fangirl Pithtaker Grin

Fillybuster · 02/09/2011 18:50

I've already bought it TWICE (hardback, then paperback for holiday)...bloody excellent book and I adore David Mitchell (just finished Black Swan Green this morning)...hurrah! 28th is in diary Grin

browneyesblue · 02/09/2011 19:01

Boo - different book received Wink

email sent - fingers crossed

colette · 02/09/2011 21:34

I am reading this book from the library, it is great really does take you to another world. I am reading it in bed and fallling asleep whilst I am reading .
Love this author

sfxmum · 02/09/2011 22:00

The thing about Mitchell was that I stumbled quite by accident on
number9dream and was instantly excited engaged and kept reading those fantastic sentences, and was desperate to read whatever he was to write next, it turns out it was already written HurrahGrin it was a long wait for his 3rd, but I must confess I was a tiny bit miffed when it became so successful, no longer just mine (deluded)

I am always looking forward to whatever comes next, really love everything about the way he writes. It is exciting to 'discover' a writer as he is writing, all my other favourites. at this level had been writing for many years when I found them

Alicious · 03/09/2011 20:45

Email sent-I can't wait for the 28th-I am a huge fan! David Mitchell is an amazing author-yay! :)

shareatip · 05/09/2011 17:21

A very, very disturbing theme to this book but his beautiful writing style and ability to create a story... the best I've come across. I will join!!! (How do I join???? )

Read Thousand Autumns so long ago now, I may need to refresh my memory.

SpeedyGonzalez · 05/09/2011 20:10

Would LOVE to read this; I absolutely adored Cloud Atlas. Sadly I very much doubt I'll get the chance to read as much as I'd like by the end of the month, so I just want to say David Mitchell you are an amazing writer. Grin

GeraldineMumsnet · 06/09/2011 14:48

@shareatip

A very, very disturbing theme to this book but his beautiful writing style and ability to create a story... the best I've come across. I will join!!! (How do I join???? )

Read Thousand Autumns so long ago now, I may need to refresh my memory.

Hi, it's 'join' in the loosest sense. Essentially, if you've read one of David Mitchell's books and have a question for him, then please join us on the evening of 28 September - he'll be on Mumsnet from 9-10pm.

If you can't make the live chat, then post your question anyway and read the discussion through at your leisure at a later date.

And regular book clubbers, please note the later time (we figured 8pm was still too close to children's bedtimes for lots of you).

sfxmum · 06/09/2011 14:58

yes thank you for the later time, we follow European times at oursWink

perhaps I missed the point but I never really felt the 'theme' were the babies

WhipMeIndiana · 06/09/2011 21:13

am waiting with fingers crosses to see if I blagged won a free copy, sounds a very intruiging read

IamtheSnorkMaiden · 06/09/2011 22:36

This book was unanimously loved by my reading group, as was Cloud Atlas. That man is just far too clever for his own good. A shit-hot writer. Love him.

skorpion · 07/09/2011 11:57

I just love, love his books! No doubt about it, shameless fan here... Blush

Read Ghostwritten many times and found Thousand Autumns so beautifully sad.

Off to think of an intelligent question without giggles and blushing......

isleangel · 07/09/2011 14:43

Hi
I have sent my email for the book last night, but I have heard nothing. Am I meant to get a return email, or are there any books left at all? How do I know? I loved Cloud Atlas, but haven't much money at the moment, so new books are a luxury, so this would be brilliant if I could get a copy Smile