Sign in with Facebook
Jaidee 's Reviews > Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas
by
by
3 conflicted stars !
Gosh I struggled with this book.
Is this book well written? No doubt about it.
Is this book overwritten and too stylized? At times, yes it was.
Were the stories wonderfully original? Yes they were.
Did the stories fail to move me? Alas, they did.
This was the main crux of the matter. The stories did not resonate with me one bit. At times I could enjoy them but I found them so empty and unsatisfying. These stories were intellectually brilliant but emotionally bankrupt. (there I said it and I apologize as I am aware of how many people adored this book.)
I'm glad I read it but I am more relieved that the book is over.
Gosh I struggled with this book.
Is this book well written? No doubt about it.
Is this book overwritten and too stylized? At times, yes it was.
Were the stories wonderfully original? Yes they were.
Did the stories fail to move me? Alas, they did.
This was the main crux of the matter. The stories did not resonate with me one bit. At times I could enjoy them but I found them so empty and unsatisfying. These stories were intellectually brilliant but emotionally bankrupt. (there I said it and I apologize as I am aware of how many people adored this book.)
I'm glad I read it but I am more relieved that the book is over.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Cloud Atlas.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
July 27, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 27, 2013
– Shelved
November 16, 2014
–
Started Reading
November 18, 2014
–
2.0%
November 18, 2014
–
3.0%
November 18, 2014
–
5.0%
November 19, 2014
–
6.0%
November 21, 2014
–
8.0%
"Is it just me or have others struggled with the beginning of this book?? I'm hoping it gets easier because I've read and heard so much wonderfulness about this book."
November 22, 2014
–
10.0%
November 22, 2014
–
13.0%
November 23, 2014
–
15.0%
November 23, 2014
–
16.0%
November 24, 2014
–
18.0%
November 27, 2014
–
20.0%
November 28, 2014
–
21.0%
November 30, 2014
–
23.0%
December 1, 2014
–
25.0%
December 2, 2014
–
27.0%
December 4, 2014
–
29.0%
December 5, 2014
–
30.0%
December 6, 2014
–
31.0%
December 6, 2014
–
33.0%
December 6, 2014
–
35.0%
December 6, 2014
–
39.0%
December 9, 2014
–
40.0%
December 10, 2014
–
43.0%
December 11, 2014
–
46.0%
December 13, 2014
–
48.0%
December 14, 2014
–
51.0%
December 14, 2014
–
52.0%
December 16, 2014
–
54.0%
December 18, 2014
–
56.0%
December 20, 2014
–
59.0%
December 20, 2014
–
61.0%
December 22, 2014
–
62.0%
December 23, 2014
–
63.0%
December 24, 2014
–
64.0%
December 25, 2014
–
66.0%
December 25, 2014
–
67.0%
December 25, 2014
–
69.0%
December 25, 2014
–
70.0%
December 26, 2014
–
71.0%
December 26, 2014
–
73.0%
December 27, 2014
–
75.0%
December 27, 2014
–
77.0%
December 28, 2014
–
80.0%
December 30, 2014
–
81.0%
January 1, 2015
–
82.0%
January 1, 2015
–
85.0%
January 2, 2015
–
86.0%
January 3, 2015
–
88.0%
January 3, 2015
–
90.0%
January 4, 2015
–
93.0%
January 4, 2015
–
95.0%
January 4, 2015
–
100.0%
January 4, 2015
– Shelved as:
three-stars-books
January 4, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-32 of 32 (32 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Cecily
(new)
-
rated it 5 stars
Jul 29, 2015 05:36AM
Not tempted to try any other Mitchells then?
reply
|
flag
Cecily wrote: "Not tempted to try any other Mitchells then?"We own most of them. So yes I will try lol.
The more you read, the more interesting it gets because all are linked to several others, as you doubtless know.
Cecily wrote: "The more you read, the more interesting it gets because all are linked to several others, as you doubtless know."Yes I've seen you post about that. I don't know very much about Mitchell. I'm so glad that it gets more interesting.
If you were luke-warm about this one but want more Mitchell, you might try the semi-autobiographical Black Swan Green - if you can relate to a 1970s English childhood for a boy with a stammer - or perhaps The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, which reads like a fairly straightforward historical novel (but is revealed to be rather more if/when you read The Bone Clocks).
Cecily wrote: "If you were luke-warm about this one but want more Mitchell, you might try the semi-autobiographical Black Swan Green - if you can relate to a 1970s English childhood for a boy with a ..."Thanks so much for the tips....we have all of the above books.
I felt similarly about this one, Jaidee. Overall I found it to be a disappointment. Too clever for me, perhaps.
Andrew wrote: "I felt similarly about this one, Jaidee. Overall I found it to be a disappointment. Too clever for me, perhaps."Hi Andrew...have you tried any other David Mitchells?
Though I gave this one more star than you did, Jaidee, I too felt there wasn't enough there there, if you know what I mean. I loved Black Swan Green, btw. And was pleasantly surprised at The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet, as I wasn't sure I'd be interested in the subject matter.
P.S. Your new profile pic is adorable. ;)
Teresa wrote: "Though I gave this one more star than you did, Jaidee, I too felt there wasn't enough there there, if you know what I mean. I loved Black Swan Green, btw. And was pleasantly surprise..."
Mmmmm thanks for the feedback Teresa. You and Cecily are both in agreement about the next Mitchells.
The profile pic was changed by my partner as a message to me that I am as he says "A royal in exile" lol.
Jaidee wrote: "I am as he says "A royal in exile" lol."The plot thickens!
Cecily wrote: "Jaidee wrote: "I am as he says "A royal in exile" lol."The plot thickens!"
haha yes it does.
Congrats for finishing it. As I couldn't even watch the movie adaptation, I doubt I'll read this big book, although never say never.
Jaidee wrote: "I'm glad I read it but I am more relieved that the book is over."Snap, Jaidee - my reaction exactly. While reading, I wanted to escape from its maze many times but couldn't until the end - and what a relief then to be finally done with it! It was my first and last Mitchell.
Though I do like the sound of Black Swan Green as Cecily describes it above...
Jaidee, I totally agree . I know that so many loved this but it just didn’t do it for me . Like Andrew , maybe just too clever for me .
Bianca wrote: "Congrats for finishing it. As I couldn't even watch the movie adaptation, I doubt I'll read this big book, although never say never."Never say never Ms. Bianca ! Thank you 🙂
Fionnuala wrote: "Jaidee wrote: "I'm glad I read it but I am more relieved that the book is over."Snap, Jaidee - my reaction exactly. While reading, I wanted to escape from its maze many times but couldn't until t..."
Snap snap...lets be fair and give him one more go!
Angela M wrote: "Jaidee, I totally agree . I know that so many loved this but it just didn’t do it for me . Like Andrew , maybe just too clever for me ."2 stars..uh oh 😉....hope you are enjoying your Sunday !
Great, even-handed review of this one. I LOVED it when I read it, like, a full decade ago but I don't know if it would resonate with me now. It's fun but, as you point out, a bit empty. Clever, but perhaps too concerned with clever? Did you have any you enjoyed more than others in it? This one goes in my pile of "books I'm glad I read at the right time" where it will stay safely un-revisited haha.
s.penkevich wrote: "Great, even-handed review of this one. I LOVED it when I read it, like, a full decade ago but I don't know if it would resonate with me now. It's fun but, as you point out, a bit empty. Clever, but..."Hey Spenks...have not read anymore Mitchell yet !
Really good to see you back man !
Lisa wrote: "Nice review Jaidee XO :)"Much appreciated Lisa :)
Norma * Traveling Sister wrote: "Great review, Jaidee!"Much obliged Norma :)
Fran wrote: "Lovely review, Jaidee!"Thank you Fran :)
Loved your review, Jaidee, it reminded me of my experience reading The Bone Clocks, which I enjoyed parts of, but overall I was just glad to be done!
I think a lot of readers are conflicted about this book, Jaidee. I’ve steered clear. Thanks for an informative review!
Cheri wrote: "Loved your review, Jaidee, it reminded me of my experience reading The Bone Clocks, which I enjoyed parts of, but overall I was just glad to be done!"Strugging with Mitchell ....both of us...thanx Cheri 🙂
Tammy wrote: "I think a lot of readers are conflicted about this book, Jaidee. I’ve steered clear. Thanks for an informative review!"Thanx Tammy...lets start a support group..hehe !
Isn't it interesting that a book can be original and brilliant and yet not engage the reader emotionally? Thank you for your honest review, Jaidee.
Laysee wrote: "Isn't it interesting that a book can be original and brilliant and yet not engage the reader emotionally? Thank you for your honest review, Jaidee."Here here Laysee🧁
