Thursday, November 15, 2012

Latest Review: Cloud Atlas (Movie & Book)

Goodreads Summary:
A reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Reagan’s California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified “dinery server” on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation—the narrators of Cloud Atlas hear each other’s echoes down the corridor of history, and their destinies are changed in ways great and small.

In his captivating third novel, David Mitchell erases the boundaries of language, genre and time to offer a meditation on humanity’s dangerous will to power, and where it may lead us
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My thoughts:
I really loved this book.  I think that it came to me at a time in my life when I really needed a novel like this.  It's not an easy read and I don't know how readily I can recommend it to just any random person.  I think this would especially appeal to readers that enjoy a spiritual and/or revolutionary element to their reading.  The most compelling (aka page-turning) components of this book are the areas that involve conspiracies or revolutions.  However, my favorite storylines were actually the ones that were more quiet and character-driven.  

My favorite character of the book was definitely the charismatic composer Robert Frobisher.  His particular story was one that really spoke to me - who can read this book and not love this dashing fellow?  Robert's view of the choices he made toward the end of his tale helped me gain a different perspective on some recent difficult family events.  Sorry I'm keeping this vague but I don't want to ruin anything for those who haven't yet read Cloud Atlas.  

Also, I have to say that the reoccurring theme of reincarnation was really uplifting, even for the sadder storylines.  Let me get into things a bit further with my film review...here ya go!

4.5/5 stars (for both film and book)

Movie thoughts: 
Despite all of the lukewarm critic reviews, I was pleasantly surprised with the film adaptation of this book.  First of all, you can tell that the producers/directors of this film loved and respected this book.  The way they broke down all of the storylines into one film was genius.  They found parallel threads in each of the stories and interwove them perfectly (I might venture to say, they presented it in a more compelling manner than the book itself).  

I convinced four of my non-reader friends to see this movie with me - so obviously, none of them had any previous knowledge of the book.  They all really enjoyed the film (some even ventured to say that they loved it!) and understood the main points that the author was making with these intertwining stories.  Also, while some of the storylines were tampered with (including my fave Frobisher) I surprisingly approved of the plot alterations.  

I was blown away with how well they portrayed the main point of each storyline.  In fact, some of the storylines (especially Frobisher) evoked a much more visceral reaction than what I had while reading the book.  My favorite movie storylines: Robert Frobisher (more disturbing and moving in the movie...in the book he was just so likeable you almost couldn't take him seriously), Timothy Cavendish (movie version sooooo hilarious), Louisa Rey, and Sonmi 451.

The only problems I had with the film were some cheesy lines (that never existed in the book) and Old Georgie in the Zachry plotline...in the movie he was a weird green warty guy with a top-hat, WTF?!?  Otherwise, I thought it was one of the better film adaptations of a book...especially considering how complex and long this book is.

Overall, if you enjoyed the book, I don't think you'll be disappointed by the movie.  If you've never read the book and don't plan to...ignore the stupid leprechaun (aka Old Georgie) and enjoy a really good film adaptation of a very complicated book.

 

10 comments:

  1. I've been holding off on watching the movie until I read the book but considering how many books I have queued up, that could take a very long time. I think I will just watch the movie. How rare for a book to be translated well on screen. Glad they got this right.

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    1. Yeah, it's refreshing to see a well-done film adaptation :)

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  2. I really love this book, as I do the other two of David Mitchell's that I've read. I saw him speak a year or two ago and he was so humble and sweet- made the books even better for me!

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    1. Awww, lucky you to see him speak! I definitely need to read more Mitchell...I think I'll read Black Swan Green soonly!

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  3. I'm really glad to read your reviews, because I *would* like to see the movie even though the book intimidates me!

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    1. Yay, I hope you like the movie as much as I did. Mayhaps it will inspire you to pick up the book afterwards :)

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  4. I read the book earlier this year and really loved it. Actually, the more distance I have from it, the more I love it. There are so many aspects that resonant. The book itself was hard to get through in some parts, but it was so rewarding! Like you said, there are only a few people I would recommend it to, but I think anyone who gets through it would be the richer for the experience.

    I saw the movie and was just thrilled with the adaptation. It's such a difficult book to smash into three hours, but I thought they did a wonderful job. I also thought the Frobisher section was more poignant in the movie and the green man was odd. I was definitely a fan of it overall.

    Also, Black Swan Green was my first Mitchell novel and it's so different from this one! I enjoyed it, but it's funny how "normal" it seems in comparison. It's a coming-of-age story that is much more accessible. I hope you enjoy it.

    p.s. Sorry for the massive comment, Cloud Atlas just gets my brain humming.

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    1. Love the massive comment :) Glad to hear that I'm not the only one who thought they did a good job with the film adaptation.

      Also, Black Swan Green sounds like a big departure from Cloud Atlas - I read somewhere online that some people were petitioning to have it replace Catcher in the Rye in school curricula!

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  5. I go back and forth about whether or not I would like this book...

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  6. I agree that this is not an easy read but well worth the effort and you have managed to portray it well in your review.

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