#reading books

Cloud Atlas. Iconic Book/Film.

24 Comments

B095D4DB-578F-4174-918E-CD8B384B4E31

Back in 2018 I wrote this blog. I have just watched the extended trailer of the film again. The film was made and considered way ahead of its time. I feel it should be a considered watch for it’s unique qualities. The book is a treasure that I read a few times before the film was made. Rather like ‘The Godfather’. Read the book and was so excited to see the film.

Anyways. Here’s the original blog.

The long established question. Which is better? Book or Film? Invariably, the question exists like this because ‘books’ are made into ‘films’. Are films made into books?  Don’t ever recall one……..ever! But, maybe there is one out there. Certainly, stand alone/stand out films written by script writers exist. But my three favourite books of all time exist in film. A Christmas Carol, (my favourite number one book) has many adaptations in film with modern takes just about bearable. Re-telling of the story in film having either a non altruistic (I despair) or altruistic (I smile and applaud) link to the beauty and sentiments of Dicken’s original vision linked to embracing Christmas spirit with the result of Ebenezer Scrooge regaining human dignity and achieving personal transformation which is told so eloquently within his original wonderful storytelling. Number two, The Lord of the Rings, has an unfinished project of creating a full cartoon version film of the book (only Part One, an Unexpected Journey, of the books, being realised). What followed was very satisfying. The Peter Jackson trilogy we all love and know. Number three. Cloud Atlas. I read the book three times and literally finished it and read it again, finished it a second time and then read it again. Not since my annual visit to re-reading of both Dickens and Tolkien has a book got under my skin.

I don’t really have the skills to put down thoughts of analysis as to what this book is about. I can explain what this book does for me. It’s a joy of 6 different format styles. It’s unique in it’s Russian Doll take apart and rebuild format. The first story simply stops, as do the next 4 others until the 6th middle story (which is read in full) and then it continues with the stories which sequence 5,4,3,2,1. That is….the first story becomes finished at the end of the book. Chronological order. Written in a chained ongoing sequence of different eras from past times to the future and back again to the past.

It’s a puzzling, challenging and complex book which requires a few readings really. And David Mitchell, in this and his other books, includes various reappearing characters from different stories. In other words, the same characters or people linked to characters appear in different books. The following link is essential reading from David Mitchell’s thoughts of this application to his writing.

https://www.waterstones.com/blog/david-mitchell-on-reappearing-characters

As a David Mitchell fan? It’s a club. He’s the only author I actually look to the internet to check if any more of his work is available. Tolkien, Conan Doyle, Richmal Crompton, Stephen King, Murakami, Andrew Miller, Agatha Christie and very many more authors I have read can weave within their words a perceived visual extravagance that sits in my psyche. Using the word perceived is essential. No visual imagery exists at all in my mind. Aphantasia is a condition I possess. A dark canvas when closing my eyes and no images at all. There is only shadow thought of characterisation and places, and they are woven through words printed. Only a few authors I read can build words into feelings of understanding. Not visualisation, but an intermix of words that thrill the senses.

David Mitchell does this. But, he somehow transcends the perceived imagery and I leave his books having experiencing a total immersion in the world/worlds I’ve just visited. I’m there, within that story, watching it all develop with the richness of chosen words. It’s like the reality is not fiction, but truly exists and plays out there and then.

And so……the film adaptation of Cloud Atlas by the Wachowski siblings.

55FA649F-96A6-465D-977D-1106E3F18E94

An atmosphere all of it’s own. Completely different format to the book. The various stories interweaving with each other with a jumping back and forth experience. I knew the story so well that it was not an issue for me. As with all visually presented film characterisation, I had that so familiar experience of thinking, ‘Nah! That’s not what I thought they’d look like’. Also, the Wachowski’s used the same actors/actresses in various different guises/disguises to play various parts. Some crossing genders even. Men become female characters and females become male characters. An extension of the life changing decisions of the Wachowski brothers, who are now sisters. Whilst this ‘actors in various roles’ happened, I found myself not comparing the film and book. But got caught up in the film precisely because it took itself off into an individual Wachowski philosophical presentation. It became awesome of its own accord. A fascinating development of guessing of the actors, who was who, then sitting back and enjoying the film for all its holistic presentation on second viewing, and then spotting the Easter eggs in subsequent viewings. And I keep watching the film or dipping into it from time to time to get a ‘hit’. The philosophy of Buddhist links just simply resonates. It’s like carrying around a familiar book of quotations that ground the mind’s wandering. A smile at familiarity and logic. The atmosphere presented in both book and film is a beautiful experience. I treasure each now as classics/cult status in their own right.

Cloud Atlas is a book I always recommend to family and friends. Some are as enthusiastic after reading. Others scratch their heads. Not quite Marmite qualities of love or hate. But, worth a try. Like Marmite. You may discover a whole new challenging and good feel enhancer. I recommend the film too. Again the same scenario as mentioned. I have three situations. My shadowed mind’s eye of characters from my own weird visualisation after reading the book. The actors’ presentations in the film. And the environmental parallels in otherworld imagery created by both David Mitchell’s words and the Wachowski filmed experience. Akin to the beauty that was inherent in the Lord of the Rings film filmed mainly in New Zealand.

David Mitchell is simply a genius in his skill regarding the written word. The Wachowski siblings are geniuses too in the visual format. The Arts are much richer for these people. Yummy.

24 thoughts on “Cloud Atlas. Iconic Book/Film.”

  1. I must admit I was not aware of this author. Sometime after Christmas (a simple post about my December reading is drafted and scheduled for posting later) I’ll be seeking him out to see if he ‘grabs’ me in the same way. I do like the sound of its odd construction as you describe it. I remember well the effect ‘The French Lieutenant’s Women’ had on me when I first read it with its alternative endings – something I had never come across before. Many years later I’ve adopted it in something I’m writing.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Sometimes you are in the right place at the right time. I was in my car listening to a panel discussing the book when it was first published. All of them were completely bowled over after reading it. I got out of the car after the discussion to visit my local Arts Centre and there it was in the book store. They say ‘you are always one decision away from a totally different life’. Not quite life changing, but that one decision to buy it led to all David Mitchell’s books having now been read. And my life is a little richer for them. Bit like looking for VW Crossover information and finding your blog page. Life can be a strange little affair of finding the right things or people at the right time. Thank you Roger. Hope you are well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. Great post. One of my favourite books is “Great Expectations”, I love TLOTR (love the Bakshi animated version of the first book) and have recently started to read “Cloud Atlas” on your recommendation 😉👍 xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I like that version of book 1 too. Think I own it on a VHS tape somewhere. Cloud Atlas led me to read all books by David Mitchell. Read it again very soon after the first read. Hope you enjoy it. The film is equally as fascinating, but had a lot of criticism when first out. LOTR was read every year for about 10 years and more. It became a routine that started on the first day of the summer holiday we always took up here in Wales back in the 1970s and 80s. So very much associate the story with the rural holistic vibe. Even though I read it a few times in my teenage years. Cheers Ianto. Xx

      Like

      Reply

    1. Please have a go at reading the book. As the blog says, it has a different format to the film. But it has such an iconic vibe throughout. Love David Mitchell’s imagination across all his books. Thank you Sheila.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I usually love the books before the films because they go into deeper background aspects. It helps build the whole experience. But some films are extremely atmospheric. I like films mainly because they provide the imagery I can’t see in my own mind’s eye when reading. So writers like David Mitchell are perfect in how they can get through to my needs. The book rocks, so give it a go. Cheers Danny.

      Like

      Reply

    1. Wow! Thanks for the link. I’ve seen most of these films. Interesting to read them as words. The thing is that I can’t read all the books I would like to. I have no ability to grasp the imagined imagery of the inherent characters and scenes. Can’t produce any scenarios visually. So the descriptive nature of the books provide the wonder of the stories. David Mitchell especially crosses into the psyche. Worth a visit definitely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      4. Exhausted! The grandchildren have been staying here for three weeks. They are going back home on Wednesday. It’s just that a Bengal kitten was thrown into the situation. My daughter never pre-warned us! Just turned up with the kitten and our other two grandchildren on the Saturday. We picked up the eldest of the two grandchildren on the Thursday. My daughter stayed until Tuesday then off to London. Kitten left with us. Kitten? Sounds lovely, but it is manic and won’t keep still. So all in all a bit tired to be honest. Thank you for asking. And how are you too? Is your leg healing okay after your tumble outside the bus?

        Liked by 1 person

      5. My leg seems to be getting better. It is still quite sore, but it really took a battering.

        So is the kitten an addition to your household or is your daughter returning?

        Liked by 1 person

      6. The kitten is definitely not an addition. My daughter’s partner has gone to ‘Fright Fest’ in London. My daughter is there too, but going around the London sites. Kew Gardens the other day. She is an amazing photographer so should see some great images. Doesn’t write about experiences like yourself though. So, because of London there is no one at home in Worcester to look after the kitten. She brought it here unannounced. She is never still unless in the small pet sleeping pen we bought her. Keeps jumping and scratching stuff and the grandkids. A Bengal is high maintenance it seems! The cat has been here since the 13th. Feels longer. I’m pleased your wound is healing now. It is a difficult spot to heal on the shins. And a really painful spot to bash! You’ve done well in recovery and deserve huge applause 👏🏼 All the best Brenda. Looking forward to your next upload.

        Like

      7. Aw thank you. I think thebash plus first week of classes have left me exhausted. I’m so far behind where I want to be with posting, but not stressing about it. Ironically, the post I’m working onis a re-edit of one from last September about time management – which is also the focus of one of my classes on Tuesday

        Liked by 1 person

      8. Great tactic. I have been looking at distant past posts. Especially with no likes or comments and reintroducing them. Sometimes tweaking too. Going into post settings and changing the upload date. You have to at times. So much energy put into those chosen words. Pleased that you are prioritising. Triage to your life is a wise move. It’s good that your positivity still shines. All the best Brenda.

        Liked by 1 person

      10. We have bought a scratch pole out of necessity. It’s the grandkids that are getting to avoid her though. A few scratches and suddenly not so cute! Hopefully she’ll settle as she gets into cat status.

        Liked by 1 person

      14. Interestingly. From a young age all of them have always gravitated to talking about the VeeDub when they visit. Makes a great base for the day. Creates their future memories too. Cheers Brenda.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Sheila “Spiral Sister” Murrey Cancel reply