Cloud Atlas

I loved this book. Its structure is interesting with its interconnecting narratives, and the use of different actors really helps to delineate these clearly. It's so great to read a book that really demonstrates a breadth of imagination and style way beyond anything that I could come up with myself. Luisa Rey a compelling story, Robert Frobisher the most wonderfully flawed cad, Timothy Cavendish's desperate plight hilarious. Sloosha (apologies for spelling, know it must be wrong!) the only one that bemused me, I'll revisit it - certainly easier to grasp in audio than written version.
Anyway, if you like short stories this is a must, as it develops the genre further and tells them in ways which make you think about them long after you have finished reading. Always entertaining, by turns witty, alarming, uplifting, shocking, moving - a great read!

This abridged version doesn't come close to doing justice to the actual book. The core storyline is there but most of Mitchell's fine writing and nearly all of the subtleties in humour are lost. There are some very talented readers (for Cavendish and Zachry) but others might make you feel uncomfortable; some are poorly cast indeed. If you are truly interested in the story, read the book or wait for the unabridged version-- which might be better done if it was one person reading (not trying to act) throughout. This is an incredible work of fiction and so much of its brilliance lies in Mitchell's way with words. Don't be short-changed by this version that is overly reductive and fails to capture the nuances of a truly great work.

I decided to give this a listen before going to see the film but after listening to it gave the film a miss. Although interesting to begin with the jumping timelines and characters began to grate towards the end. The multiple narrators used for different characters also seemed good to begin with but in the end just became annoying, The story was good but I don't think I will be giving it another listen and will wait until the film is on TV.

Nice idea fairly well written and well read. I think I woudloffer it a 3.5. It just lacked the untimely quality I was expecting. But worth a listen or read.