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David Mitchell's 'The Bone Clocks' is the novel to watch this fall

'The Bone Clocks' isn't out until early September, but the novel by 'Cloud Atlas' author Mitchell is already drawing almost universal praise.

'The Bone Clocks' is by David Mitchell.
  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

“The Bone Clocks,” the upcoming book by “Cloud Atlas” author David Mitchell, isn’t due out until September, but it already has the literary world buzzing.

“Clocks,” which will be released on Sept. 2, follows characters that include teenager Holly, who is sensitive to psychic occurrences and leaves home, and a reporter on the conflict in Iraq. Mitchell’s other works besides “Cloud Atlas” include the 2010 book “The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet” and the 1999 novel “Ghostwritten.”

His newest book has already been longlisted for the Man Booker Prize (the author has been nominated multiple times before) and has received starred reviews in such publications as Publishers Weekly (PW also named it to their list of the season’s top 10 works of literary fiction) and Kirkus Reviews as well as being selected by Library Journal as an Editor’s Pick.

Publishers Weekly wrote of the book, “From gritty realism to far-out fantasy, each section has its own charm and surprises. With its wayward thoughts, chance meetings, and attention to detail, Mitchell's (The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet) novel is a thing of beauty.” Kirkus Reviews called it “Another exacting, challenging and deeply rewarding novel from … Mitchell…. Speculative, lyrical and unrelentingly dark – trademark Mitchell, in other words.” 

Meanwhile, NPR called the book “a treat for long-time fans and people who've never picked up one of his books before…. a deft and entertaining mix of literary fiction and fantasy” and Louise Jury of The Independent wrote that the author is “a consummate craftsman…. For sci-fi fantasists, the imaginary world Mitchell creates might be a thing of wonder, a Dungeons and Dragons for literate grown-ups. For others, I suspect the flesh and blood anguish of a long life lived well against the odds will prove the greater pleasure.”

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