Review: "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell

One the the joys of reading a fine, layered, complex book like "The Bone Clocks" by David Mitchell is the experience of the revealing of the plot, discovering and understanding the connections that the author has skillfully created, culminating in the finale and resolution.  The resolution may be satisfying, tragic, or sometimes even left to the imagination of the reader ala T.C. Boyle's "The Tortilla Curtain", but the author in complete harmony with the story creates a perfect resolution for the reader after a sometimes long literary expedition.

One of the difficulties of reviewing a book with a complex plot filled with moments of enlightenment along the, in the case of "The Bone Clocks", 624-page journey, is not revealing plot points that will harm the experience for other readers.  In other words, no spoilers.  But, challenge accepted, so here goes.

"The Bone Clocks" is the story of the life of Holly Sykes, a teenaged runaway following a breakup with her boyfriend.  Holly hears voices and has brief encounters with who she calls "The Radio People", and experiences time losses - she suddenly realizes that she has completely lost hours of her life with not a shred of recollection as to what happened.  During the several days where she has run away, her little brother Jacko, who is smart and wise beyond his years, disappears without a trace.  Foul play is suspected, the assumed crime remains unsolved, but Jacko's disappearance continues to haunt Holly.

Unexplainable experiences follow Holly as she grows - visits from the mysterious Immaculee Constantin, a psychic experience involving Holly's daughter Aoife, and practically Whovian time anomalies.  Holly's place in an extra-natural world becomes clear as the story progresses toward a bleak but superbly satisfying conclusion.

Ultimately, "The Bone Clocks" is superb.  The tale is long out of necessity.  There are times during the diligently-paced first half of the book where you are wondering when the story's pace will quicken.  At the end, you realize that everything, every element, is deliberate and important.  If it wasn't over 600 pages I would read it again to pick up on intricacies that I missed the first time through.

The final section of the book, titled "Sheep's Head", referring to Holly Sykes' town of residence, in addition to a perfect closure to Holly's story, doubles as a powerful message about our Earth and our lack of stewardship, our dependence on technology, and a chilling too-possible future state.

Author David Mitchell, of "Cloud Atlas" fame and also translator of the amazing "The Reason I Jump", has delivered a gripping, complex novel blending the real with the paranormal for those who are ready for a challenging and satisfying reading experience.

Rapid Review: "Prince Lestat" by Anne Rice

"Prince Lestat" is the latest in Anne Rice's acclaimed Vampire Chronicles series which began with "Interview with the Vampire" so many years ago.  "Prince Lestat" returns to the story of our blood-drinking hero Lestat de Lioncourt as he, the elders of the world's vampires, and some newer blood fend off a threat called "The Voice" (which has nothing to do with Adam Levine or Blake Shelton).  Nearly every blood-drinker from every previous story in the series appears in "Prince Lestat" as well as some new, modern, tech-savvy characters.

"Prince Lestat" is for the fans of the series (of which I am one), and it works well. The storyline around "The Voice" and the revelation about its identity move fast through multiple plot threads, culminating in an exciting climax and denouement.   I loved reacquainting myself with some old vampiric friends, and meeting some new additions to the cast of the undead.

A couple of the sub-threads didn't work well for me, and one in particular seemed to have some timeline issues that didn't jive.  But this is a minor quibble.  If you're a fan of Ms. Rice and the Vampire Chronicles, you'll like "Prince Lestat".  I only hope that Lestat comes to visit us on a few more occasions before he goes into the Earth for the last time.

A quick note about Ms. Rice:  I got to meet her briefly at a book signing a few years ago, and I had my (then) 4 year old daughter with me.  Anne Rice was about the nicest author I've ever met!  She spent several minutes talking to my daughter and asking her all about the toy stuffed lion she was carrying with her.  It was great!

"Prince Lestat" on Amazon