This was a book that told an epic tale that crossed between many characters, following a long span of history (and future). It also managed to deliver on the promise of being an ode to stories and the power they have over us. This book has mystery, travel, love, hope, change and redemption, great character and world building, and even some secret Easter eggs for the characters to find.
It is hard to imagine the process of writing a story like this. At first there is a sense of confusion for the reader as we wonder what exactly is happening, but as usual it pays off to be patient and keep reading. We start to see connections here and there, and also see the parallels in our own lives.
I couldn’t help but think of David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas as a comparable work with a similar (albeit more rigid) structure. I seem to like stories that have an epic scope – from birth to death we see how someone deals with the cards life has dealt them – and see their relatively short life in perspective with the thread of history.
So this was a story well-told, and one I’m sure will stay with me for a long time. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year.
Next I’m reading The Broker by John Grisham.
