David Mitchell

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I've just started reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet - anyone else reading it at the moment?

I loved all his books, though maybe Black Swan Green was a bit less memorable than the others.

Cloud Atlas is one of my all time favourite books.

I read this a few weeks ago. It took me a while to get into it but once I did I loved it. He writes such brilliant, clever books. What do you think so far?

I'm really enjoying it - although I need to stay focussed on who is who. I am terrible for remembering names of characters in books and when they are unfamiliar names it's twice as hard.

I've just got to the bit where the monkey runs off with the leg but they swap it for some tobacco.

He's a great writer, very good at period detail, creating characters and their own distinctive way of speaking.

Which other current writers do you like?

I think Tibor Fischer is good and if you like David Mitchell you would like him - though I've not read anything by him for a good while.

I just finished reading Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell before I started this one - it was impressive but the end wasn't as dramatic as I had been expecting.

Dying to read the new one but waiting for it to come out in paperback.

Love all his books, Black Swan Green s my favourite.

I haven't heard of Tibor Fischer I will investigate. I read Jonathan Strange ages ago, I don't remember much about it to be honest but I think I enjoyed it! I do like epic books like that. Have you read, oh what's it called? By the same guy who wrote Virgin Suicides? Sorry, being a bit vague!

Oooh who else do I like? Haruki Murakami - have you read any of his? Jonathan Coe, Ian McEwan, Scarlett Thomas, errrm I'll read all sorts though from Twighlight to Bronte!

I'm now reading The Group by Mary McCarthy but taking a while to get into it.

it is my next book, have been anticipating it with sheer delight love his books, I really think he will be the best writer of his generation, huge talent and does not play safe

Are you thinking of Middlesex, Beckybendylegs?

I do like Jeffrey Eugenides
has anyone read Jonathan Safran Foer? his 2nd book (I think) 'extremely loud incredibly close' was very very moving to me at least who does not often feel moved to tear by books

Cloud Atlas one of my faves too. Have you read number 7 dream? Weird but v interesting.

I liked Black Swan Green. I suspect that it was mainly autobiographical.

I tried so hard with cloud atlas but just didn't get it. I got to the bit where it changed from one set of characters to the guys with the silver message orb things and I just lost the plot-literally.

I may try again another time.

mrspirat8 you might like to look at the Guardian book club thingy discussion the book, start with the first week here

Think of Cloud Atlas as a staircase. You go up it as time goes by, ie bottom step is the explorers in New Zealand, top is the far future. Then you come back down the stairs again.

sorry for misspelling

Yes, Becky - I really like Murukami. I recently read the one about the guy who runs a jazz club and has an affair with his old schoolfriend - sorry can't remember the title.

Not read Middlesex but have read the Virgin Suicides (years ago).

I know I started The Group but not sure if I ever finished it.

Not a fan of Ian MacEwan.

As well as literary fiction I really like good sci fi and fantasy - China Mieville, Neil Gaiman, Ken Mcleod, Richard Morgan etc.

Middlesex! That's the one. I loved it.

I'm so pleased I found out about David Mitchell thanks to DH hearing something about Ghostwritten on radio 4 many years ago. We are now big fans (I used to live in Japan too).

Anyone read Scarlett Thomas? I think she's fab but not many people seem to have read her books. Such a shame in my opinion!

Becky regarding Scarlet Thomas I have 'The end of mrY' which DH loved, so it is on my to read list

I have it too but not yet read it.

V. envious about you having lived in Japan. Would really like to visit one day - maybe when the baby is a few years older.

I borrowed this from the library, 14 day loan only so not long enough really to do it justice

It's not a quick read, you need huge chunks of time to read it properly

I want to go back to Japan one day too and often dream I'm there even now 13 years since I came back. DH the other day said we should all go - he reckons about ten grand for a family of five, flights, hotels, spending money, etc. Well perhaps we'd better start playing the lottery!!!

I alwasy think there is somwthing missing from David Mitchell.

I can appreciate his writing, enjoy some of it. But i find it souless.

I've also heard that Black Swan Green it autobriographial, all the more surprising that it lacks soul.

I do know what you mean, but I think it more that the emotion is there but controlled/understated - a bit like with Murukami.

personally I think he has such an ease with language that he seems to forever bend and twist it, exploring possibilities in form, I agree with understated emotions and there are common themes running through his books.

I think one day he will write a truly personal book and that will be his masterpiece, in the meantime I am happy with watching and enjoying his development and experimentation

I like Murukami too, and I like his understated style, but I don't find him souless like i do with David Mitchell.

I think being understated is an entirely different thing.

Perhpas writing is just too much of intellectual exercise for David Mitchell, so there's not enough from the heart.

Another Mitchell and Murakami fan here!
Ghostwritten and Wild Sheep Chase are my favourites.
I enjoyed both eugenides' books, and end of mr Y too...

Any ideas what next?

How about Banana Yoshimoto? She writes very beautiful but rather sad books.

Oooh just thought Jonathan Coe 'The House of Sleep' or perhaps Julian Barnes 'Love etc'?

Kate Atkinson for the weird, slightly off the wall fiction. Ali Smith - another fabulous writer!