History. Adventure. Science fiction. Suspense.

Musical composition. Comet-shaped birthmarks. Rebellion. Nuclear power. Vanity publishing.

David Mitchell masterfully weaves together a novel that defies the very bounds of itself. To say much more would be against the spirit of the book. So, just this: I loved it.

Cloud Atlas will soon be released as a film starring Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Sturgess and Jim Broadbent.

This is a guest review by Amanda Lewis – Associate Editor, Random House of Canada