The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club discussion

Discussion for CLOUD ATLAS.


Hello Writers and Readers!

From now on we will hold all book discussions in one spot.

If you posted a review of Cloud Atlas, please feel free to share it here.

Let us know your overall thoughts.

You can also answer the optional questions.

And we encourage you to reply to comments to create a conversation.

Let's have some fun!


1. The structure is pretty unique for Cloud Atlas. There are six main characters, their stories are all interrelated, and each has a differing genre (epistolary/letters, mystery, farce, sci-fi, post-apocalyptic), did it feel to you as though you were reading six separate novellas or one complete novel?


2. Have you ever attempted to intertwine two different character’s stories or timelines together? For example: jumping back and forth between past and present with a single character, or showing one character in the present and another character from the past (perhaps the MC’s ancestor)?


3. The structure of this book is unconventional, and a bit risky. Did the structure of this book add or take-away from your ability to enjoy the various plots?


4. For me, the themes of oppression and greed were most prominent throughout all the loosely connected stories. Did you feel the same way or were there other themes that stood out to you more?


5. Whose story was your favorite and why?

1. So I've actually read Cloud Atlas multiple times, and honestly the story that feels the most separate to me is the Luisa Ray line, which is odd because it has a direct connection to the Robert Frobisher line in the form of Rufus Sixsmith! It doesn't feel like a wholly separate novel because of the continuing themes, the connection to the prior line, repeated vocabulary and ideas and so forth, but it still feels the most different from the rest of the novel.

On that note, it's also my least favorite line, but I think that's because I don't read thrillers. I don't love the style or viewpoint, and compared to the rest of the stories I just don't care as much. I like Luisa, but the story line doesn't do as much for me.

Nonetheless, overall I really like the structure - even though it drove me NUTS the first time when Adam Ewing's story ended MID-SENTENCE because as far as I knew I was never getting the rest of it.

My favorite is probably Sonmi-451's story, mostly because of fantastic the world-building is. I particularly like the way Mitchell achieves so much world-building just through his different use of language - for example, the way he uses a real linguistic phenomenon but extends it so that trademarked names become common nouns. (i.e. In real life, "kleenex" for "facial tissues"; in the novel, countless examples.) That tells you so much about the world, as does the word "corpocracy" and the use of "consumers" rather than "citizens."

On that note, in addition to the recurring themes, I love noticing recurring words, like "prescient/prescience" and "somnambulant" and of course "sextet." I notice more and more of them every time I re-read the book.

I've never tried to intertwine different character's stories or timelines this way. I enjoy reading books that do this, but it's not really something I'm interested in doing. I could maybe see myself intertwining two character's stories in the same time and then eventually running them together, but that'd be about it. Maaaybe.

E.M. wrote: "1. So I've actually read Cloud Atlas multiple times, and honestly the story that feels the most separate to me is the Luisa Ray line, which is odd because it has a direct connection to the Robert F..."

Thank you so much for participating in the discussion, E.M.! I really enjoyed your answers and thoughts.

"...even though it drove me NUTS the first time when Adam Ewing's story ended MID-SENTENCE because as far as I knew I was never getting the rest of it." <--- That made me chuckle.

Like, E.M., I haven't intertwined stories or timelines like this. All I've done is write in different character's POVs, which is definitely not the same. However, I do have an idea for a book that alternates between a character in modern times and a character in a historical setting. Except, this is an idea where I would not be writing both of those stories/characters. This is an idea I talked with my mom about years ago. She'd write the chapters for the character in pioneer times, and I'd write about chapters for the character in contemporary times. It seems like so much fun! But...we may never actually do it since we're doing so many of our own projects.

I read this back in 2013 and reviewed it then here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I started to re-read it but got caught up in other stuff. I will re-read it again one day. I'll be back for the discussion later. Interested to see what people thought of the book and how they answer the questions.

E.M. wrote: "1. So I've actually read Cloud Atlas multiple times, and honestly the story that feels the most separate to me is the Luisa Ray line, which is odd because it has a direct connection to the Robert F..."

I agree with you about the structure initially driving you Nuts. When first reading this, I was about to return the audiobook thinking there were glitches in the file. I was glad I kept going.

Chrys wrote: "Like, E.M., I haven't intertwined stories or timelines like this. All I've done is write in different character's POVs, which is definitely not the same. However, I do have an idea for a book that ..."

OMG Chrys. You and your mom have to do that project together. I already love it.

Toi wrote: "Chrys wrote: "Like, E.M., I haven't intertwined stories or timelines like this. All I've done is write in different character's POVs, which is definitely not the same. However, I do have an idea fo..."

LOL! I'll talk to my mom about it and see what she says. ;)

I haven't read Cloud Atlas before and I haven't got very far with it because I started late. I was hit by the racism in it but will reserve judgement till I finish the book, hoping Mitchell was consciously trying to make a point. I love the language, how skilfully he weaves those words.
Chrys - your project with your Mum sounds fabulous. Please do it.

Here is my review


https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Question 1

Love the 6 stories and point of view. Think they are very interelated, each feeding on the other. Enjoy the mirror effect of the chapters , starting and ending with the ocean traveler in 18th century ?
The structure makes the novel complex and philosophical. A true reflection on Mankind and our evolution ... or turning in circles, depending on how you see it.

Question 2

My NIP jumps from twos stories set on different continents, different time frames and two main characters who do not know each other but may or may not meet at some point.
Love to read and write about interelated but separate plots with different points of view. Mind juggling is so much fun when cleverly balanced.

Susan wrote: "Question 2

My NIP jumps from twos stories set on different continents, different time frames and two main characters who do not know each other but may or may not meet at some point.
Love to read..."

That sounds neat! I can see how "mind juggling" would be a fun challenge when writing a story like this.

Kalpana wrote: "I haven't read Cloud Atlas before and I haven't got very far with it because I started late. I was hit by the racism in it but will reserve judgement till I finish the book, hoping Mitchell was con..."

Definitely lots of racism in the book. It ties into the theme of oppression, but even so some things kind of catch me. Like (view spoiler)[Atua saves Adam Ewing from Dr. Goose, and that's what changes Adam's mind about slavery, which is good, technically, but it also kind of plays into the idea that BIPOC have to go above and beyond to get basic human decency, like a slave literally had to save Adam's life for him to realize, hey, maybe owning people isn't good. (hide spoiler)] So I do think it needs to read critically, even though oppression and the oppressive idea of a "natural order" that must be maintained are major themes.

Toi wrote: "E.M. wrote: "1. So I've actually read Cloud Atlas multiple times, and honestly the story that feels the most separate to me is the Luisa Ray line, which is odd because it has a direct connection to..."

Yeah, now that I've read the whole thing I think the structure is brilliant! But that first time, WHEW BOY. Although then it becomes 100% relateable when Robert writes to Sixsmith to ask if he can find the second half of Adam Ewing's journal. XD

Chrys wrote: "Like, E.M., I haven't intertwined stories or timelines like this. All I've done is write in different character's POVs, which is definitely not the same. However, I do have an idea for a book that ..."

I love those kinds of books, Chrys! It's so cool that you'd be writing it with your mom.

I did not read the book, but I did see the movie. I tried to watch twice and could not get into it. It was on my third try I actually stuck with it to the end and did enjoy it.

3. The structure of this book is unconventional, and a bit risky. Did the structure of this book add or take-away from your ability to enjoy the various plots?

For the reason of having a bit of trouble getting into the movie I did not even try to read the book. I don't usually like split stuff like, but to be fair I did not give the book a chance.