inlovewurmom's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
3.0
When it comes to creative endeavours, it is better to swing big and miss than to play it safe all the time. David Mitchell is the kind of author who's all about taking big swings — and when it pays off, it pays. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is one of my favourite reads from 2018, so I was really excited to get into number9dream, one of his earlier works. It also helps that the story is set in Japan, and partially on Yakushima, an island that I visited in 2017.
So number9dream, unfortunately, is an example of Mitchell taking a swing at things and not quite hitting the mark, especially towards the end.
I get what he is trying to do here, of course. Every chapter is split into two narratives: there is the main narrative of our protagonist trying to find his father in Tokyo, and then a secondary narrative that provides the background or some form of allegory, usually told in the forms of diary entries, a story within a story — you get the idea.
When the device works, it works like a charm. Early on in the book, the protagonist's journey is juxtaposed with the memories of his twin sister as they grew up on the island. So the secondary narrative served an actual function, in that it helped to develop various characters further. The Kai Ten chapter, while not directly related to the main storyline, is also a great historical fiction in and of itself.
My issue with the book is that the back-and-forth between the primary and secondary narratives don't always work, but because Mitchell had already established that to be a thing in the first chapters, he has to carry on with the conceit through to the end of the book. This means that there are secondary chapters in the book that feel shoehorned in. The second-last chapter of the book intercuts our protagonist's journey to find his mother with a series of dreams — that was a really painful chapter to get through. I generally dislike dream sequences in books, because they seldom very feel like real dreams, but more like thinly veiled narrative devices to tell and not show what the characters are thinking/feeling. But most dream sequences are short and sweet, so you can basically afford to skim or skip them in other books — but when half of a 40-page chapter is filled with these dreams, it become onerous real quick.
Oh, and chapter five of the book is just a whole lot of nonsense. I cannot, for the life of me, understand the secondary narrative involving Goatwriter. I ended up skipping all the paragraphs with Goatwriter, and reading just the main narrative in that one. It's a complete left turn in the book that feel so forced by Mitchell.
Perhaps the most perplexing part is the fact that the main narrative itself is actually very, very strong. I enjoy the main character, I enjoy the side characters, I even enjoy the detour involving the yakuza. The fact that Mitchell decided to pile an additional layer of literary device on top just feels somewhat unnecessary to the already-great story underneath it all.
So number9dream, unfortunately, is an example of Mitchell taking a swing at things and not quite hitting the mark, especially towards the end.
I get what he is trying to do here, of course. Every chapter is split into two narratives: there is the main narrative of our protagonist trying to find his father in Tokyo, and then a secondary narrative that provides the background or some form of allegory, usually told in the forms of diary entries, a story within a story — you get the idea.
When the device works, it works like a charm. Early on in the book, the protagonist's journey is juxtaposed with the memories of his twin sister as they grew up on the island. So the secondary narrative served an actual function, in that it helped to develop various characters further. The Kai Ten chapter, while not directly related to the main storyline, is also a great historical fiction in and of itself.
My issue with the book is that the back-and-forth between the primary and secondary narratives don't always work, but because Mitchell had already established that to be a thing in the first chapters, he has to carry on with the conceit through to the end of the book. This means that there are secondary chapters in the book that feel shoehorned in. The second-last chapter of the book intercuts our protagonist's journey to find his mother with a series of dreams — that was a really painful chapter to get through. I generally dislike dream sequences in books, because they seldom very feel like real dreams, but more like thinly veiled narrative devices to tell and not show what the characters are thinking/feeling. But most dream sequences are short and sweet, so you can basically afford to skim or skip them in other books — but when half of a 40-page chapter is filled with these dreams, it become onerous real quick.
Oh, and chapter five of the book is just a whole lot of nonsense. I cannot, for the life of me, understand the secondary narrative involving Goatwriter. I ended up skipping all the paragraphs with Goatwriter, and reading just the main narrative in that one. It's a complete left turn in the book that feel so forced by Mitchell.
Perhaps the most perplexing part is the fact that the main narrative itself is actually very, very strong. I enjoy the main character, I enjoy the side characters, I even enjoy the detour involving the yakuza. The fact that Mitchell decided to pile an additional layer of literary device on top just feels somewhat unnecessary to the already-great story underneath it all.
jammasterjamie's review against another edition
3.0
If author's were musicians, this book would be considered as David Mitchell putting out an album of Haruki Murakami covers. That's what it felt like to me, anyhow. And there's nothing wrong with that - I love both authors and both are numbered among my favourites. That said, something about this one left me feeling a little bit hollow. I didn't get that shocking kick to the imagination that I usually do when I read a Mitchell book, and at the same time I didn't get that feeling of ethereal unreality that I get from a Murakami novel. Rather, this one sits just somewhere in between. Well-written and an interesting story for sure, but there's something about this one that just doesn't ring as truth for me. If this is the only David Mitchell book you've ever read and you didn't like it, please give any of his other books a chance before you give up on him. If this is the only David Mitchell book you've ever read and you loved it, please give Haruki Murakami a chance because I guarantee you'll love him.
In summary, I enjoyed the story and the manner in which it was told, but it wasn't my favourite by Mitchell and with the high expectations he has set for me as a reader, I couldn't help but feel just a little let down. Loved the ending, though, and I have to admit that some of my lack of enjoyment of this book could very well have come with the narrator's obsession with cigarettes as I have been in the midst of quitting smoking (again) while reading this one, so maybe that made me overly critical.
In summary, I enjoyed the story and the manner in which it was told, but it wasn't my favourite by Mitchell and with the high expectations he has set for me as a reader, I couldn't help but feel just a little let down. Loved the ending, though, and I have to admit that some of my lack of enjoyment of this book could very well have come with the narrator's obsession with cigarettes as I have been in the midst of quitting smoking (again) while reading this one, so maybe that made me overly critical.
katybug25's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
The blend of daydream surrealism and realistic life (so seamlessly done one's never quite sure how what's what) works really well. I was lost for a bit in the middle where the surreal tipped over into the hard-to-follow, but my full attention was gained back quickly, never to be lost again.
cher_n_books's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars - Meh. Just ok.
I’ve read the two most recent works by David Mitchell and think they are both amazing. Then I read somewhere that it is best to read his novels in order as some characters make cameos in later novels.
I have now also read his first two books and both were a bit lackluster. This one, in particular, was disappointing. If you are new to this author, I highly suggest starting with his most recent novels.
I expect and look forward to weirdness when I pick up a Mitchell novel, but this one was just too much.
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Favorite Quote: Dreams are shores where the ocean of spirit meets the land of matter. Dreams are beaches where the yet-to-be, the once-were, the will-never-be may walk awhile with the still are.
First Sentence: We are both busy people, so let’s cut the small talk.
I’ve read the two most recent works by David Mitchell and think they are both amazing. Then I read somewhere that it is best to read his novels in order as some characters make cameos in later novels.
I have now also read his first two books and both were a bit lackluster. This one, in particular, was disappointing. If you are new to this author, I highly suggest starting with his most recent novels.
I expect and look forward to weirdness when I pick up a Mitchell novel, but this one was just too much.
-------------------------------------------
Favorite Quote: Dreams are shores where the ocean of spirit meets the land of matter. Dreams are beaches where the yet-to-be, the once-were, the will-never-be may walk awhile with the still are.
First Sentence: We are both busy people, so let’s cut the small talk.
minniepauline's review against another edition
3.0
My least favorite David Mitchell. Which is still saying a lot.
zeef's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A must read for all humans.
sabine_beans's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5