The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
florisw's review against another edition
5.0
What a fantastic introduction to the pen of David Mitchell, and a great way to start 2021! There is so miuch to be impressed about with this novel. It is meticulously researched, allowing Mitchell to seamlessly blend history with fiction. It is incredibly well-written, at times reading more like poetry than prose. I very much enjoyed his style and pace, which strike a nice balance between scene-setting and crispy dialogue. As a Hollander myself, Mitchell's use and command of the Dutch language at times is very admirable, eclipsed only by his use and command of Japanese. The story itself - although it has an odd structure - is also very compelling. It begins on the island of Dejima, and stays there for most of the novel, following the thoughts and experiences of Jacob as he adjusts to his new post (not just in his profession, but in his life). The almost claustrophobic setting of the trading island makes for a really concentrated narrative, where events are tightly-linked and happen in close proximity. Mitchell navigates this limitation of space really well, and finds ways of magnifying various aspects of daily life on Dejima: Marinus' garden; Chief Vorstenbosch's office; Jacob's dorm; the warehouse; etc. The characters are colourful (although some more than others), and their actions elicit strong emotions. Jacob made me feel frustrated, but also nostalgic, appreciative, curious, and many other things. Late in the novel, Van Cleef's actions induced feelings of disgust, sadness, and gratification, all within the space of a chapter or two. All in all, I look forward to reading more of Mitchell's work, even if it is only half as good as this one.
I thank Stephen for recommending this book, and Alibel for making me excited to read it!
I thank Stephen for recommending this book, and Alibel for making me excited to read it!
laislinns's review against another edition
2.0
I love David Mitchell. He is one of my favourite authors. Which makes it really difficult to admit that I really didn't enjoy The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet.
This is not an indictment on Mitchell. I still can't wait to dive into his other works. But here is why I just couldn't get into this particular piece of historical fiction (which, to be fair, isn't a genre that I usually enjoy in any event. I felt like if anyone could do it in a way that I would love, it would be Mitchell.)
From the start, I found the story didn't flow, the prose felt stilted and unnatural. I kept going, partly because of my love for Mitchell's other works, knowing that it's recommended to read it before others like Bone Clocks, from a hope that I would become used to the way it was written and find myself becoming unconsciously invested in the characters, and partly because I really needed a read to tick the nautical theme on my 2023 reading bingo challenge. And it took me around 250 pages to actually start feeling like the storyline was going somewhere. But even then, by the end of the novel I didn't feel the payoff that comes from a gripping read. I felt nothing but relief that it was over, to be frank.
If Dutch and Japanese historical fiction is your jam, then you may have a very different experience to mine. So don't let this review be the reason you don't pick it up. But if you're reading this and expecting it to be one of Mitchell's better works, pick up Cloud Atlas, or Number9Dream, or Ghostwritten instead.
This is not an indictment on Mitchell. I still can't wait to dive into his other works. But here is why I just couldn't get into this particular piece of historical fiction (which, to be fair, isn't a genre that I usually enjoy in any event. I felt like if anyone could do it in a way that I would love, it would be Mitchell.)
From the start, I found the story didn't flow, the prose felt stilted and unnatural. I kept going, partly because of my love for Mitchell's other works, knowing that it's recommended to read it before others like Bone Clocks, from a hope that I would become used to the way it was written and find myself becoming unconsciously invested in the characters, and partly because I really needed a read to tick the nautical theme on my 2023 reading bingo challenge. And it took me around 250 pages to actually start feeling like the storyline was going somewhere. But even then, by the end of the novel I didn't feel the payoff that comes from a gripping read. I felt nothing but relief that it was over, to be frank.
If Dutch and Japanese historical fiction is your jam, then you may have a very different experience to mine. So don't let this review be the reason you don't pick it up. But if you're reading this and expecting it to be one of Mitchell's better works, pick up Cloud Atlas, or Number9Dream, or Ghostwritten instead.
kazikkluz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
luisvilla's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliant, beautiful, somehow ultimately unsatisfying book - though I'll be damned if I could tell you why...
sarahheidt's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first David Mitchell novel I read, back in the summer it came out in the US. Totally compelling. Now that I've read all his others, I want to get back to this one, but I haven't had a chance to reread it yet.
kwbridge's review against another edition
4.0
I started this bool last year but couldn't get into it. I am SO glad I gave it another try...
storia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
eris's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't like this one as much as "Cloud Atlas" or "The Bone Clocks" mostly because it didn't have the SF/F stuff (or very little of it, anyway) that I normally go in for. However, to give it only 3 stars would be a disservice. The writing is just too good, and the setting so beautifully rendered.
herfst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
timmybooth's review against another edition
3.0
Written well. Not my favorite Mitchell.
Cloud Atlas.
Cloud Atlas is my favorite Mitchell.
Cloud Atlas.
Cloud Atlas is my favorite Mitchell.