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mankindmatt5 OP t1_ja2a7b5 wrote

Reply to comment by the_scarlett_ning in I just finished all the David Mitchell books by mankindmatt5

I think Mitchell is a pretty worldly or well travelled guy, so something I really like about Ghostwritten is the sheer number of interesting locations and tidbits about the local culture.

Especially as I'm of an Irish extraction, and have spent a fair whack of time in Japan and Hong Kong.

I'd also say the 'Holy Mountain' chapter is seminal. Feels rather like a very condensed version of 'Wild Swans', beautifully told. Then the Mongolia chapter takes things from interesting, odd, random connections to a whole new level.

I just finished Slade House last night, and it was indeed very very scary. I'm guessing that we will see a bit more from Norah, and Enomoto in future novels.

I also assume Hugo Lamb and Holly Sykes grandkids will show up somewhere down the line.

Least favourite, but only just, probably Utopia Avenue - and I really enjoyed that one anyway. Although I probably should have read it after Bone Clocks.

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the_scarlett_ning t1_ja2bwpp wrote

If you can find a copy, you should check out The Incarnations by Sue Barker. It has a similar feel to Mitchell, especially Ghostwritten and Cloud Atlas. It’s a bit darker, more gruesome though.

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Accomplished_Web1549 t1_ja2ni9j wrote

But not Sue Barker off of Question of Sport and Wimbledon, just to keep the British novelist/celebrity confusion going.

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the_scarlett_ning t1_ja2bq81 wrote

Wait, “Wild Swans” or “Black Swan Green”?

I’d like to plot all his novels from before he had his son and after and see if I can recognize any changes in his writing. Like Utopia seems so different from his other stuff (although maybe it’s more along the ones I haven’t read yet), I wonder if becoming a dad, especially to a special needs boy, made him want to write something more hopeful (? I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but less dark).

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mankindmatt5 OP t1_ja2cb84 wrote

Wild Swans by Jung Chang

It's a biographical account of three generations of Chinese women, going through the shift from feudal China, civil war, and Mao's cultural revolution

In 'Holy Mountain' we get to see the same woman live through all of that.

As for Utopia Ave, maybe just wanted to write something fun? I think darkness will be back on the menu whenever his next one is out.

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the_scarlett_ning t1_ja2ceim wrote

Omg! I have that book! I love it! But I’ve never heard anyone else reference it. That’s awesome!

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