Well, five stars if you count the one from me! David Mitchell’s new novel, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is epic historical fiction with a literary bent, fascinating characters, and a mesmerizing setting. I absolutely loved it and I was not the only one. Check out what the reviewers are saying:
“It is a rare novel that’s so captivating that the reader feels transported through time and fully immersed in an unfamiliar culture and place, and this is such a novel. . . .This painstakingly researched and original novel is hard to pin to any one genre, for it is a historical novel and cultural study with plenty of intrigue and mystery mixed in. It is intelligent and utterly readable at the same time.” — Library Journal, Starred Review
“It’s as difficult to put this novel down as it is to overestimate Mitchell’s virtually unparalleled mastery of dramatic construction, illuminating characterizations and insight into historical conflict and change. Comparisons to Tolstoy are inevitable, and right on the money.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Mitchell’s rightly been hailed as a virtuoso genius for his genre-bending, fiercely intelligent novels …THE THOUSAND AUTUMNS OF JACOB DE ZOET is a dense and satisfying historical with literary brawn and stylistic panache. ” —Publisher’s Weekly, starred review & Pick of the Week
“Despite the audacious scope, the focus remains intimate; each fascinating character has the opportunity to share his or her story. Everything is patched together seamlessly and interwoven with clever wordplay and enlightening historical details on feudal Japan. First-rate literary fiction and a rousing good yarn, too.” —Booklist, starred review
We’re hoping for more great feedback from you. We gave out many galleys at PLA and I hope some of you have had a chance to read it already. If so, please visit the official book site to leave a comment in the discussion forum. And if you weren’t one of the lucky ones to receive a galley at PLA, then you can start reading the book there: www.ThousandAutumns.com.