Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
This novel is a unique blend of six different stories, each set in a different time and place, spanning from the 19th century South Pacific to a post-apocalyptic future. Each tale is written in a different style, reflecting the time and setting it represents, and they are all connected through shared themes and recurring motifs. The stories are nested within each other, with each interrupted by the next, only to be concluded in the second half of the book. The novel explores themes of predacity, civilization, reincarnation and the eternal recurrence of the same behaviors throughout history.
The 495th greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 3rd on The Millions: The Best Fiction of the Millennium (The Millions)
- 6th on The Ideal Library (Book)
- 9th on The 100 best books of the 21st century (The Guardian)
- 66th on The 100 Best Books of the Decade(2000) (Times)
- 70th on The New Classics - 100 Best Reads from 1983 to 2008 (Entertainment Weekly)
- 99th on Harvard Book Store Staff's Favorite 100 Books (Harvard Book Store)
- 870th on Our Users' Favorite Books of All Time (The Greatest Books Users)
- 25 Books to Read Before you Die: 21st Century (Powell's Books)
- 222 Best Books of All Time That Deserve a Spot on Your Bookshelf, With Picks from Bestselling Authors and Indie Booksellers (Parade)
- As if You Don't Have Enough to Read, Fiction Edition (New York Times)
- A Century of Reading (Lithub)
- Bill Gate's Book Recommendations (Bill Gates)
- Books of the Decade (The Guardian)
- The 50 Best Sci-Fi Books for Every Kind of Reader (Men's Health)
- 1000 Novels Everyone Must Read (The Guardian)
- From Zero to Well-Read in 100 Books (Jeff O'Neal at Bookriot.com)
- 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die (The Book)