Reviews

The Thousand Autumns of Jacob De Zoet by David Mitchell

zeusolympius's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.0

henry_edwards1's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

katiejim's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this book a long time ago and remembered loving it. I have just reread it and love it all over again. It's messy and gross and unapologetic - and also contains some truly beautiful parts.

preston_gubbals's review against another edition

dark informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition

This was one of those books I found very little fault with. Any part that misfired and struggled along were redeemed by the characters; they're compelling, and lifelike. Jacob is idiosyncratic but without being twee and for all his morality there is a darker side to him that peeks out now and again- it keeps him less like a character and more like a person.
The writing is lucid and effortless, the story itself heartbreaking, and occasionally farcical and terrifying. An odd mix maybe, but all very believable. One of the best books I've read.

hlgrant's review against another edition

4.0

4.5

blue_footed_booby's review against another edition

3.0

I am so close to giving this book four stars. I really enjoyed the narrative, but sometimes the writing was too apparent-- know what I mean? It distanced me from the story occasionally.

solonar's review against another edition

5.0

such a nice book trip

alexandre_rl's review against another edition

4.0

Roman assez dense, à l’écriture très élégante, qui m’a fait découvrir la fascinante histoire de l’île de Dejima. Le travail de recherche est manifestement colossal; on le sent au détour de chaque phrase, autant dans les détails de la vie quotidienne des personnages que dans l’exposé des tractations politiques et commerciales. L’intrigue est en général plutôt passionnante, malgré un petit essoufflement en fin de parcours, et l’équilibre entre le drame et l’humour est adéquat. Recommandé!

tristan_turquoiseheart's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced