David Mitchell Über Novelist

David Mitchell, opens a new window uber novelist is addictive, it's official. Cloud Atlas, opens a new window stays with you long after you have read it, and makes you question the way the world works, what it could become and the part individuals play in that. The series of ethical journeys the characters traverse through the book explore how people prey on each other and corporations prey on societies. The themes of interconnectedness and cause and effect heightened by reincarnating the main character.

Now after reading The Bone Clocks, opens a new window - only my second David Mitchell novel - I begin to see his recurring themes of power, communication or miscommunication and connectivity. The consequences of random and considered actions we all make on a daily basis underlies much of his work, such as Holly Syke's young actions.

David says his work explores how random or crafted connectivity powers reality. His skilled craftsmanship blends several different genres into one great novel in The Bone Clocks going from the realism to futuristic and fantasy elements, sometimes it feels like you are reading several books at once. The different styles - together with the different voices to narrate each section - mean you'll need to keep your wits about you so you don't miss that crucial references, but I'll give nothing away.

This author really loves language. You see that he finds it an ally, a trusted friend, and it is a joy to read - but sometimes he criticises himself. The character and novelist Crispin Hershey's ideas make you think the author himself he is having doubts about novel's structure, or is he just making us think? You can imagine I am very excited to see him at WORD Christchurch, opens a new window tonight (Sunday 17 May).

The Bone Clocks

Fans can follow breadcrumbs to pick up on references to characters from other works, tying them together. Search out his fan site, opens a new window for insights into his works.

Here are some clips:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hw0oloUxnA&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPADQG_5wz4&w=560&h=315]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNpwR7ByeoU&w=560&h=315]

• Read our WORD Christchurch blog posts on Autumn Season writers.
• Read Zac's blog on David Mitchell, opens a new window at the Auckland Writers Festival.

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