David Mitchell's latest novel is a more straight forward narrative than the previous and fantastic Cloud Atlas, but that said his storytelling ability, prose writing and ability to meld different styles into this beautiful and complex historic novel makes it a joy to read.
Set in a Dutch trading post in Nagasaki harbour at the end of the 18th century the novel is a facinating combination of adventure story, historic observation and forbidden love.
I highly recommend both this and Cloud Atlas - different but both great reads
- Ben