tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post3927429142654555002..comments2024-02-09T15:35:58.132-05:00Comments on Avid Reader's Musings: Cloud Atlas Readalong: Midway PointMelissa (Avid Reader)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-78187730434077116372012-03-18T16:07:45.350-04:002012-03-18T16:07:45.350-04:00Ruthiella - It's really like nothing I've ...Ruthiella - It's really like nothing I've read before! I'm so glad you joined in. <br /><br />Kristi - I am so glad I read Goon Squad first. I don't think it would have stood up to a mental comparison very well. It was really good, but it just never reaches the same level as this one. I love what you said about the author crossing genre with his writing. I think that's one of the things that is the most impressive to me. If you had told me a diff author wrote each section I would have believed you. They are os incredibly different and he writes each one so well!<br /><br />Carrie - That's the whole reason I wanted to host a readalong of this one. It had been on my list forever, but I never managed to pick it up. <br /><br />softdrink - Good for you! I had a hard time slowing down for the first break, but I was worried I'd give something away in my post if I didn't stop. I think Somni's section was the one I was the most curious about as well. <br /><br />Willa - It is SOOO different from that book, but it is really good. <br /><br />Care - I just finished that section too and it reminded me so much of The Handmaid's Tale. I love that you read a bit of Fahrenheit 451 yesterday too! I think it is so interesting to think about what books influenced the author, whether they realized it or not.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-25193463084096070412012-03-18T14:48:57.758-04:002012-03-18T14:48:57.758-04:00I'm into the second Sonmi section and starting...I'm into the second Sonmi section and starting to wonder if Margaret atwood has read and dnejoyed this,,, or I just haven't read much dystopia?!Carehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06478474870247729611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-17253034838340016782012-03-18T14:30:09.163-04:002012-03-18T14:30:09.163-04:00I have to read this book - read "Black Swan G...I have to read this book - read "Black Swan Green" by the same author and loved it!Willahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01901628974325954428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-80395775280352888772012-03-17T16:29:02.199-04:002012-03-17T16:29:02.199-04:00I must confess that I've finished the book alr...I must confess that I've finished the book already (I have problems pacing myself :-)). I got to the end of the first half and just had to keep reading! I especially wanted to get back to Sonmi's story. Actually, her world. I was really curious as to how the world got to that point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-89866249070129107842012-03-17T14:16:59.284-04:002012-03-17T14:16:59.284-04:00I am enjoying it so much - much more than I had ex...I am enjoying it so much - much more than I had expected to. This is one of those books that had sat on my to-read list for a long time - everyone talks about it - but I had no desire to actually pick it up. Thank you so much to both you and Care for prompting me to finally give it a shot!<br /><br />It did take me a bit to get into the first section, but after twenty pages or so, I was actually really enjoying it. My favorite section by far is Somni's story, though.<br /><br />I posted my thoughts in more depth here:<br />http://booksandmovies.colvilleblogger.com/2012/03/17/cloud-atlas-read-along-part-one/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-87881610753972522842012-03-17T12:49:47.156-04:002012-03-17T12:49:47.156-04:00I read this before a Visit from the Goon Squad and...I read this before a Visit from the Goon Squad and it kind of ruined Goon Squad for me. I liked it enough, but I found Cloud Atlas superior and it was difficult to not compare them.<br /><br />Adam Ewing was a snoozefest. I wonder how many people quit without making it past the first section worried that the whole book is that tedious.<br /><br />I think what impressed me so much about this book was not just the interconnected nature but how well Mitchell crosses genre with his writing. Each section has a different feel and writing style that stays true to the story he's telling.<br /><br />It's definitely one that improves on reread. I loved it the first time, but now that I know the overall theme, it's wonderful to see how it's carried throughout the story from the very beginning. <br /><br />Glad you're enjoying it!Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07343557750428307066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-43067764982502842102012-03-17T10:59:30.530-04:002012-03-17T10:59:30.530-04:00I can see the parallels to Goon Squad but I didn&#...I can see the parallels to Goon Squad but I didn't see it until you mentioned it. BUT it does make me wonder what books the authors read and were influenced by. I can see threads and images cross-books and I'm really seeing it lately.<br /><br />For example; In subbing yesterday, I got to read about 20 pages of Fahrenheit 451!Carehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06478474870247729611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-42163172351576533032012-03-16T17:32:37.091-04:002012-03-16T17:32:37.091-04:00Melissa, I was reminded of A Visit from the Goon S...Melissa, I was reminded of A Visit from the Goon Squad as well while reading, because of the interconnectedness and the varied styles of each section I think. I am really enjoying this book and so glad you and Care have organized this!Ruthiellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871834571645928819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-48667118355155498292012-03-16T17:31:51.209-04:002012-03-16T17:31:51.209-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ruthiellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03871834571645928819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-13834111122998948922012-03-16T11:53:53.946-04:002012-03-16T11:53:53.946-04:00Care - I loved your post, it was awesome! You aske...Care - I loved your post, it was awesome! You asked great questions too. Isn't the pursuit of knowledge thing fascinating? It reminded me a bit of Fahrenheit 451. Imagine how much more we would appreciate books if it was almost impossible to find one to read. That quality of knowledge becoming scare or illegal makes it all the more valuable. <br /><br />Also, I didn't like the Sloosha section you mentioned at all. The dialogue is tough! But, like you said, it makes me appreciate Mitchell's ability to write such incredibly different characters!<br /><br />Annieb - Sorry you had trouble posting a comment. I'm not sure what the problem is. I agree the skill of the writing is unbelievable! Imagine juggling all those story lines and knowing how you were going to tie them all together. That takes some talent. I also think this was a great book to do a readalong because there's so much that you could miss! I've already beneifitted from everyone else's observations. <br /><br />Ellen - I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I am too. Once you get past the first section it's such a rich experience. I wonder if a lot of people give up before they get through it.Melissa (Avid Reader)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02119628715475021774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-27149824030265628372012-03-16T11:33:53.576-04:002012-03-16T11:33:53.576-04:00Looking at all the quotes you picked out makes me ...Looking at all the quotes you picked out makes me wish I'd spent a little more time doing the same thing. So far I love this book so much that I'd love to buy the paperback when I get home (I'm reading the ebook now) so I can reread and mark the whole thing up. Once I made it through Ewing I raced through each section without taking the time to really search out those perfect lines (a few of which you quote here) or those deja vu moments that help to tie the characters together, above the birthmarks.<br /><br />So much fun to read your thoughts - I'm really looking forward to the next posts on this when we're all able to see more clearly these themes Mitchell plays with, and how the characters are connected.Ellenhttp://fatbooks.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-7703878807492362242012-03-16T11:21:06.824-04:002012-03-16T11:21:06.824-04:00Great synopsis Melissa! I'm not sure what I a...Great synopsis Melissa! I'm not sure what I am doing wrong, if anything, but this is the third time I have attempted to post, and had it go away, so here's hoping this one works. I am certainly enjoying the book and am glad I am reading it in my first readalong, because I doubt that I would have ever attempted it on my own. My favorite part is the Sonmi-451 section, but I also loved Luisa and Javi as characters. The concept and the execution of this book simply amaze me. I always say I am a reader, not a writer, so all writing amazes me to a certain extent, but this book is truly amazing. I wonder how long it took Mitchell to write it. Care, I think your review/synopsis was very good as well and not swilled sheog at all. This is a lot of fun!anniebhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17728598854622972187noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8481406859587493585.post-78575012896626894392012-03-16T09:44:53.471-04:002012-03-16T09:44:53.471-04:00Beautiful. And insightful! And ORGANIZED. (Your...Beautiful. And insightful! And ORGANIZED. (Yours is fine wine and mine is swilled sheog.) I love that we both noted the despondency quote. <br />Truly, the Somni section has the most DEEP MEANING suggestions, perhaps because it allows us to think about now and where our society could be heading. I found myself sad that we typically don't seek knowledge with the same enthusiasm - would I if it was denied and then I secretly found access to a treasure trove like Somni does? And would this 'wisdom' gain decrease contentment - do we need to be hungry to have the will to pursue? If we were all fed, then do we become complacent allowing avarice and ..., oh my head hurts.<br /><br />I just started the next section, abt 4 pages in and eek the dialect takes getting used to. I am marveling how Mitchell can change voice without it seeming like just a collection of short stories. Something is propelling all the stories forward yet different characters and settings! I like nesting doll description. I'll be back to chat more.<br /><br />GREAT post.Carehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06478474870247729611noreply@blogger.com