As of late I have been trying to regain my passion for reading something other than magazines and short stories. I always have one or two novels in some form of unfinished reading.
During most of my twenties I was too poor to have a fancy television or afford cable, now I am just as poor but managed to get the fancy tv and cable when I was not poor.
Anyway, the point is this; I have not been I guess you would call it "amazed" by a writers particular style since I discovered Pynchon in college.
David Mitchell has mastered Herman Melville's style, Philip K. Dick twists, Nabokov and Faulkner "esque" dialogue bending, Anthony Burgess dialogue inventing, Huxley's future, Cormack McCarthy's bloodlust and bloodletting and yet it is all his own.
I am no literary critic but all of the big ones agree this book is awesome. Even if you do not read novels and think fiction is shit, still buy this book. Keep it in your travel bag, beach bag, bedside table, bathroom, it will eventually get it's hooks into you.
It is basically six books in one (but really multiply it by 2 and the divide it by 2= exactly) and written with the perfection of a symphony. I believe that I am one of the more well read knuckleheads of my ADD ridden/MTV generation.
Truly art with words and if you do not get it, I feel for you.
My dad who reads more than I do and has tried his hand at the novel and I believe he should continue doing so, basically forced this book on me.
My dad who reads more than I do and has tried his hand at the novel and I believe he should continue doing so, basically forced this book on me.
I did not dig it wholeheartedly until the 3rd story, but even then was like,"WTF where is this going?"
When the scope of it and the way he does it finally hit home, I understood. Genius.
When you get to Sloosha's Crossin' 'n' Ev'yrthin' After, remember to protect your babbit and watch out for Kona and protect the Prescient and the Orison. So dork am I. I have said way to much.
BUY CLOUD ATLAS yesterday!
BUY CLOUD ATLAS yesterday!
