Cloud Atlas, written by David Mitchell, is a story filled with mystery and time travel that unfolds over multiple time periods. The novel focuses on six interrelated stories in which seemingly unrelated characters are repeatedly born and reborn, each existing in its own period of time with its own unique setting. The characters, whose lives often intertwine in various ways, come from vastly different backgrounds and cultures, revealing a larger, mysterious pattern of purpose and interconnectedness. Spanning centuries, the novel reaches its dramatic climax as the six stories draw closer together, ultimately forming a single, captivating narrative.
The novel begins in the 1800s with a man named Adam Ewing, who is suffering from an illness while sailing on a ship in the South Pacific Ocean. As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to a disparate cast of characters, including a young American music composer in the 1930s, an investigative journalist in the 1970s, an aging publisher in the present day, a talented cloner in a post-apocalyptic future, a tribal member in a primitive alternate-future, and a futuristic fabricant in an advanced futuristic society. Through each of these characters, the reader is provided with a unique window into a different world, one in which technology, society, and culture have changed drastically over time.
The novel has a nonlinear structure, jumping back and forth in time to provide a glimpse into the lives of each character at various points in their respective “present day”. Despite its complex structures, the connections between each timeline are always accessible, its narrative building with each chapter until its epic conclusion.
The characters in the novel are all deeply individual, but there are a few common threads that connect them. Throughout the various time periods, there is a pervasive theme of being an outsider, with many of the characters facing extreme ostracism and persecution because of their race, religion, or beliefs. But there is also an inherent kindness and compassion to them, often stemming from shared experiences and understanding.
At the core of the novel is a powerful evil, one that is constantly trying to eradicate and control the individual lives of its characters. In the post-apocalyptic future, a cult known as the Valleymen pose a particular threat to the inhabitants of certain areas while in the tribal setting, an aggressive settler culture damages a way of life that has been carefully preserved and nurtured for centuries. No matter the setting, this evil presence is ever-present, an oppressive force that threatens to control and enslave each character’s world.
The underlying message of Cloud Atlas is the importance of individual freedom and the power of the collective to ward off external threats. Despite the many obstacles placed in front of its characters, the novel concludes with a sense of hope and optimism. The characters, and by extension, the reader have grown from their experiences, and the novel’s message still rings true today: that it’s possible to overcome even the greatest of obstacles as long as we have one another.
At its heart, Cloud Atlas is an emotionally nuanced exploration of the human experience, and its themes will likely remain relevant for generations to come. Whether you’re a fan of science fiction or simply a reader seeking a gripping adventure, this book provides a captivating look into the power of the individual and the will of the collective.
