The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

By: David Mitchell

Narrated by: Jonathan Aris, Paula Wilcox

Length: 18 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

A Booker finalist and Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize winner, David Mitchell was called “prodigiously daring and imaginative” by Time and “a genius” by the New York Times Book Review.

The year is 1799, the place Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the “high-walled, fan-shaped artificial island” that is the Japanese Empire’s single port and sole window onto the world, designed to keep the West at bay; the farthest outpost of the war-ravaged Dutch East Indies Company; and a de facto prison for the dozen foreigners permitted to live and work there. To this place of devious merchants, deceitful interpreters, costly courtesans, earthquakes, and typhoons comes Jacob de Zoet, a devout and resourceful young clerk who has five years in the East to earn a fortune of sufficient size to win the hand of his wealthy fiancée back in Holland.

But Jacob’s original intentions are eclipsed after a chance encounter with Orito Aibagawa, the disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor and midwife to the city’s powerful magistrate. The borders between propriety, profit, and pleasure blur, until Jacob finds his vision clouded, one rash promise made and then fatefully broken. The consequences will extend beyond Jacob’s worst imaginings. As one cynical colleague asks, “Who ain’t a gambler in the glorious Orient, with his very life?”

©2010 David Mitchell (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"It’s as difficult to put this novel down as it is to overestimate Mitchell’s virtually unparalleled mastery of dramatic construction, illuminating characterizations and insight into historical conflict and change. Comparisons to Tolstoy are inevitable, and right on the money." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Despite the audacious scope, the focus remains intimate; each fascinating character has the opportunity to share his or her story. Everything is patched together seamlessly and interwoven with clever wordplay and enlightening historical details on feudal Japan. First-rate literary fiction and a rousing good yarn, too." ( Booklist)

“An achingly romantic story of forbidden love . . . [David] Mitchell’s incredible prose is on stunning display. . . . A novel of ideas, of longing, of good and evil and those who fall somewhere in between [that] confirms Mitchell as one of the more fascinating and fearless writers alive.” (Dave Eggers, The New York Times Book Review)

Not a favorite.

Would you try another book from David Mitchell and/or Jonathan Aris and Paula Wilcox ?

I thought I would like it because I enjoyed Cloud Atlas so much. Maybe I will go back and finish listening - but continuing to listen started to feel like work, not pleasure.

Would you ever listen to anything by David Mitchell again?

Maybe

Light Reading

The best thing about this book is probably it's title. A nice story, interesting characters and landscape do make for a pleasant read but there is little soul here. I won't remember much of this novel, except it's promising title.

Wonderful picturesque

Would you listen to The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet again? Why?

Wonderful well developed story, felt like I was living in the era. The hardship of life and the unrequited love made for compelling listening.

Have you listened to any of Jonathan Aris and Paula Wilcox ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

These two readers did a masterful job of helping me keep all of the characters in order.

well written, but not my cup of tea

I'm not sure if I was just distracted or what, but I had some trouble following which characters were speaking at times and I could have sworn that I missed something when I thought Jacob got killed and then showed up in the very next chapter. I think I need something else to satisfy my reading desire...

Spellbound

The slowness of the first few chapters will be a distant memory as the story engulfs you with its characters, exotic setting, time and beautiful tale . I have not enjoyed a novel of this breadth in a very long time. A truly enjoyable book .

I loved this book!!!

Any additional comments?

I read cloud atlas and loved it, so I thought I would try this one. Completely different type of story, but great reading. You follow several characters who make the best of what they have and try to change what they cannot accept. (I guess it is similar to cloud atlas in that way) this book made me smile, frown, gasp, and cheer! ( out loud I might add, I got weird looks as I listen with headphones )

outstanding book for content, skill and delivery

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The male narrator Jonathan Aris, is extremely skilled in delivering a great variety of voices, accents and attitudes. The book itself, by David Mitchell, of Cloud Atlas fame, deserves every accolade he gets - he's a gifted poet, mystery writer, historical fiction researcher, creator of personalities and a marvel of dialogue. It all comes to life in this audiobook. go for it.

I Liked it, however

This is the 3rd David Mitchell book I have listend to. Cloud Atlas, Bone Clocks, and now Thousand Autumn's. This is my least favorite of the 3 so far. Don't get me wrong, it is very well written and has an interesting story. It was just very slow at times, not very exciting. As I plan on listening to most of his books, I am still glad I listened. I recommend this book, but if you are looking for some excitement look elsewhere.

Best Audiobook I've Ever Listened To

What made the experience of listening to The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet the most enjoyable?

Jonathan Aris did a formidable job reading "The Thousand Autumns." He was probably the best reader of any of the 60 or so books I've listened to -- with Rosamund Pike reading William Boyd's "Restless" a very close second. This was a perfect example of a very good book made even better by the reader -- he added so much to it and immersed me deeply into the story, unlike so many readers who distract from the narrative.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet?

The arrival of the British frigate Phoebus at Dajima is a high point.

What about Jonathan Aris and Paula Wilcox ’s performance did you like?

Jonathan Aris had a very clever technique of shifting accents based on who was being spoken to. It will all make sense if you listen.

A great listen

Would you listen to The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet again? Why?

I am a history buff, and this story lends itself to listening to again to get all the great detail.

What other book might you compare The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet to and why?

I am not sure what book I would compare this book with although I think it could compare to many of the Michner historic novels.

What does Jonathan Aris and Paula Wilcox bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

There were a lot of charactors in this story and they had a nice way of making sure they adapted each charactors voice to his country or station in life.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

At some places it was emotional, I'm not a crier when I read but you do get involved with the charactors

Any additional comments?

This is a very good depiction of life during this time period, this is a long listen but well worth it. My wife is on her second listen and is enjoying the story just as much as the first time.