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Adina (way behind on reviews, some notifications) 's Reviews > The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
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Adina (way behind on reviews, some notifications) 's review
bookshelves: booker, historical-fiction, british, japan
Feb 08, 2014
bookshelves: booker, historical-fiction, british, japan
Read 2016/ proofread 2022
I had this book on radar for a long time. I was sure it was going to be a success with me as I am a fan of historical fiction set in Japan, ever since I devoured Shogun as a child. I am particularly interested in the period depicted in this book and in the relationship between foreigners and Japanese people. Perfect book, then. Well...not really.
The first part of the book was promising. I enjoyed the story about the Japanese trading port of Dejima, the diversity of the people working there and Jacob de Zoet's struggles. However, everything changed when the narrative plan moved to the shrine. I thought it to be creepy, unreal and felt like it did not fit in with the previous story. I could not make myself care for Orito's fate, her lover (do not remember his name) and I soon forgot Jacob ever existed. By the time the author turned back to him I just didn't care anymore. I wanted the book to be over. With 200 pages to go I was so bored that I read another five books before forcing myself to finish.
When I read a good book I fell myself entering the book, being part of it. With David Mitchell's book I thought there was a wall between me and the story. I thought it was soulless probably due to the effort he employed to write beautiful sentences and to impress.
After seeing Cloud Atlas and reading many reviews of his works I was sure Mitchell will become one of my favorite writers. I feel so disappointed that I did not like him more. I might try another of his work but it won't be soon.
I had this book on radar for a long time. I was sure it was going to be a success with me as I am a fan of historical fiction set in Japan, ever since I devoured Shogun as a child. I am particularly interested in the period depicted in this book and in the relationship between foreigners and Japanese people. Perfect book, then. Well...not really.
The first part of the book was promising. I enjoyed the story about the Japanese trading port of Dejima, the diversity of the people working there and Jacob de Zoet's struggles. However, everything changed when the narrative plan moved to the shrine. I thought it to be creepy, unreal and felt like it did not fit in with the previous story. I could not make myself care for Orito's fate, her lover (do not remember his name) and I soon forgot Jacob ever existed. By the time the author turned back to him I just didn't care anymore. I wanted the book to be over. With 200 pages to go I was so bored that I read another five books before forcing myself to finish.
When I read a good book I fell myself entering the book, being part of it. With David Mitchell's book I thought there was a wall between me and the story. I thought it was soulless probably due to the effort he employed to write beautiful sentences and to impress.
After seeing Cloud Atlas and reading many reviews of his works I was sure Mitchell will become one of my favorite writers. I feel so disappointed that I did not like him more. I might try another of his work but it won't be soon.
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Reading Progress
February 8, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
February 8, 2014
– Shelved
September 9, 2014
– Shelved as:
booker
September 9, 2014
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
February 16, 2015
– Shelved as:
british
March 8, 2016
–
Started Reading
March 31, 2016
–
62.63%
"I wonder what does it say about my enjoyment of this book the fact that I seem to prefer to be reading anything else."
page
300
April 4, 2016
–
Finished Reading
August 29, 2018
– Shelved as:
japan
Comments Showing 1-16 of 16 (16 new)
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Jenny (Reading Envy)
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 13, 2016 07:06AM
In case you still want to try another David Mitchell, this is not quite like most of his work. It's much more like historical fiction whereas the majority of his works are more contemporary with some extra elements thrown in.
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Jenny (Reading Envy) wrote: "In case you still want to try another David Mitchell, this is not quite like most of his work. It's much more like historical fiction whereas the majority of his works are more contemporary with so..."I will probably try something else by Mitchell in the future. I was in a bit of reading slump and that might had affected my enjoyment of his writing.
Have you read "The Tale of Genji"? One of the best in Japanese historical fiction?
Adina, Mitchell's "Black Swan Green" was both short and great. This book? Not so much of either. Thanks for the review.
Markus wrote: "Have you read "The Tale of Genji"? One of the best in Japanese historical fiction?" I gave up after 10 pages. I realized I do not have the patience for so many pages of court intrigues.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "Adina, Mitchell's "Black Swan Green" was both short and great. This book? Not so much of either. Thanks for the review." You're welcome.
Reading Shogun as a child - I am seriously impressed
Ray wrote: "Reading Shogun as a child - I am seriously impressed" Well, I was 10 or 11. I used to read anything but what I should have read for school.
The day I choose to read David Mitchell, I won't pick this one (ha, ha), I'll probably go for "Cloud Atlas". By the way, I was recently surprised by how good it was a historical novel about Japan by a new Spanish writer (of all things!): "El guerrero a la sombra del cerezo" by David B. Gil. I don't know if you are interested in reading in Spanish and this is a long read (800 pages), but I thought it was worth it.
María wrote: "The day I choose to read David Mitchell, I won't pick this one (ha, ha), I'll probably go for "Cloud Atlas". By the way, I was recently surprised by how good it was a historical novel about Japan b..." I do read in Spanish sometimes (5 small books so far) but I think at the moment the novel would be too much of a challenge. I will keep it for when I will become more confident in my reading skills.
Adina, I am a David Mitchell completist and this was my least favorite. Give him another try!
"The first part of the book was promising. (...) However, everything changed when the narrative plan moved to the shrine."I found that very few people can consistently write multiple POV stories well, so this is what happens.
I loved the Cloud Atlas Movie as well, but a lot of it also stemmed from me recognizing the reincarnation of various characters. I was worried this would not be possible in a book... which is why I skipped it, in spite of all the positive reviews it received. Did you read it? Or was the movie enough for you too?
Read 2016/ proofread 2022
Hah, this made me giggle. I get all paranoid every time someone likes/comments on one of my older reviews, and it prompts me to do another round of proofreading. 9/10 times I find something objectionable. XD
Lisa wrote: "Adina, I am a David Mitchell completist and this was my least favorite. Give him another try!" I will. What do you recommend?
Ms. Smartarse wrote: ""The first part of the book was promising. (...) However, everything changed when the narrative plan moved to the shrine."I found that very few people can consistently write multiple POV stories w..." I did not read Cloud Atlas, I liked the movie too much.
:)) I could proof read forever and still find errors.
Adina wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Adina, I am a David Mitchell completist and this was my least favorite. Give him another try!" I will. What do you recommend?" Cloud Atlas is his masterpiece but is challenging. I also loved "The Bone Clocks."
Lisa wrote: "Adina wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Adina, I am a David Mitchell completist and this was my least favorite. Give him another try!" I will. What do you recommend?" Cloud Atlas is his masterpiece but is chall..." I will probably go with The Bone Clocks.
