Random House, June 2010
A mysterious title, a graphic and compelling first scene, and then what would properly be called a literary novel. Or maybe a historical novel. Or just a really darn good novel.
David Mitchell is known for writing brilliant concept novels, but The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet doesn't fit that bill. Here, the author forgoes the stylistic wizardry of Cloud Atlas in writing a straightforward work of literature set in early nineteenth century Japan - an historical novel, a love story, even.
In a time when foreigners weren't allowed into the country, the Japanese built Dejima, an island on which they traded with the Dutch, who essentially had an exclusive license. The Thousand Autumns follows a young Dutch clerk, Jacob de Zoet, who is different from his corrupt and greedy cohorts. Jacob learns the language, befriends a surly Dutch doctor, and falls in love with a beautiful Japanese midwife, Miss Aibagawa.
A mysterious title, a graphic and compelling first scene, and then what would properly be called a literary novel. Or maybe a historical novel. Or just a really darn good novel.
David Mitchell is known for writing brilliant concept novels, but The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet doesn't fit that bill. Here, the author forgoes the stylistic wizardry of Cloud Atlas in writing a straightforward work of literature set in early nineteenth century Japan - an historical novel, a love story, even.
In a time when foreigners weren't allowed into the country, the Japanese built Dejima, an island on which they traded with the Dutch, who essentially had an exclusive license. The Thousand Autumns follows a young Dutch clerk, Jacob de Zoet, who is different from his corrupt and greedy cohorts. Jacob learns the language, befriends a surly Dutch doctor, and falls in love with a beautiful Japanese midwife, Miss Aibagawa.
Jacob's discovery of a terrible secret compels him to act to save Miss Aibagawa's life and the lives of others. Through a series of events involving a British attempt to destroy Dejima, he unexpectedly becomes the leader of the small group of Dutch sailors, connects with powerful Japanese, and finds the fate of the island resting upon his shoulders.
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet's plot is compelling, but plot is not what makes this novel so incredible. Mitchell did copious research about nineteenth century Japan, and he crafts his story in such a way so as not to make any of the historical details feel like explication. The history is woven through the story, making it seem as though it had been discovered in a period journal. Mitchell's characters are utterly unique and memorable that they're with the reader long after the book is closed. One later wonders how Captain Penhaligon's gouty foot is feeling and what will become of Doctor Marinus's harpsichord;will Jacob ever be happy and if the sailors will ever make it home.
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet's plot is compelling, but plot is not what makes this novel so incredible. Mitchell did copious research about nineteenth century Japan, and he crafts his story in such a way so as not to make any of the historical details feel like explication. The history is woven through the story, making it seem as though it had been discovered in a period journal. Mitchell's characters are utterly unique and memorable that they're with the reader long after the book is closed. One later wonders how Captain Penhaligon's gouty foot is feeling and what will become of Doctor Marinus's harpsichord;will Jacob ever be happy and if the sailors will ever make it home.
But it's not just the historical research or the characters that compel; it's Mitchell's incredible writing. The dialogue feels perfect and no one is ever out of character. Among the vivid details of a fascinating plot lie gems of language more poetic than novelistic: "Night insects trill, tick, bore, ring; drill, prick, saw, sting," "...but an Oriental typhoon possess a sentience and menace. Daylight is bruised; woods thrash on the prematurely twilit mountains; the black bay is crazed by choppy surf; gobbets of sea-spray spatter Dejima's roofs; timber grunts and sighs," "I prefer a fibbing underling, Penhaligon worries, to fib consistently."
This book will sweep you up. Jacob de Zoet is both a heroic protagonist and a very real individual, caught up in circumstances and feelings out of his control. The Dutch sailors are crude, the Japanese are sometimes inscrutable, and Jacob is compelled to understand and manipulate both sides; the mystery is enticing and the language lush and gorgeous.
This book will sweep you up. Jacob de Zoet is both a heroic protagonist and a very real individual, caught up in circumstances and feelings out of his control. The Dutch sailors are crude, the Japanese are sometimes inscrutable, and Jacob is compelled to understand and manipulate both sides; the mystery is enticing and the language lush and gorgeous.
Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
