The Evolution of Science Fiction discussion

Hello all - over the weekend I watched Cloud Atlas and although the concept was interesting I thought each of the individual stories were not overly deep. However I like the concept and was wondering if the book is a more compelling read.

I liked every story except the last one featuring Zachary - the post-apocalyptic one - I found it too predictable, but loved every other story immensely.

They were funny, disturbing, sad and what not!

I really want to read this. I've heard so much about it.

I'll try the book first and may have to move on to the film.

If the book gets too heavy that is.

Physically heavy? How long is this book? j/k

I've been wanting to see this film, I didn't even know it was based on a book.

I started reading the book and reached the third story, but then I got distracted by other books and haven't been able to go back to it. The book is your standard 400-500 pg novel. The language in the first story may seem a tad difficult to follow as it is representative of (forced) flamboyant writing of the 18-19th century.

The transition from the first to the second story is very abrupt; in fact, there is no transition, not immediately. First, I thought there were pages missing. But the way the second story then connects to the first is Brilliant! I am aware of the interconnectedness of the stories (I wish I wasn't!) but even so, it's very interesting to discover the connections.

The movie didn't so so well commercially but a friend said he loved it. I will read the book and then watch the movie.

Haha. I wasn't really concentrating when writing my last message. Heavy going. If it gets to be hard work for me, I may try the film to help me through.

I will try the book, but the film was spectacular!

I liked the book better. The layout of the stories going forward in time and then back again. The movie jumped around to much of me. I had a hard time following the movie, and that was having read the book fist.

I don't think this film is for me as I really didn't enjoy the book. I found it really hard work and I had to force myself to finish it. In fact I only enjoyed a couple of the stories. Before I started it, I really thought it would have be something I would have enjoyed but I never really got into it.

My wife not long ago announced that Cloud Atlas was on television. Having read it, I declined to watch the movie and continued reading whichever book was in my lap.