Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed on 3/17/2013 + 1223 more book reviews

Well worth reading although I'm not quite sure if the structure of this lengthy novel really worked at all levels. The book is like unraveling the layers of an onion. It starts out with the journal of Adam Ewing in the 19th century, moves on to the letters of Robert Frobisher in 1931, etc., and then finally to a post apocalyptic world on Hawaii several centuries in the future. Each of the six connected stories are interrupted half through (except the middle story), and then continued in reverse order until the end of the novel. I'll give Mitchell credit for being very creative in his story-telling and definitely in his use of language for each story using dialects of the past and perceived language of the future; however, the breaking up of each story to me was somewhat disconcerting. I tended to go back to the first parts of each story to refresh my memory on what took place before continuing with the second parts. But, overall, I would recommend this very creative blend of past and future and how Mitchell portrays the shortcomings of mankind and their ultimate effects on mankind's destiny.

I have not yet seen the movie version that came out last year but will be looking forward to it when released on DVD. This is also included in the 1001 books you must read before you die list.

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