Surprisingly page-turning read. Novel consists of 6 different stories, and 4 of them are thrillers (in a general sense). All of the stories are full of humor (usually dark). Cloud Atlas seems to be trying to tell us that we make the future, for the better or the worse. The different stories and how they interact might tempt some readers to ask "which of the stories were real"? to which I'm sure the author would cackle "this whole time you've been reading a novel!! ha-HA!!!". The letters from Zedelgem part made me want to visit Belgium & France, & the Cavendish part made me want to see Scotland. For me, the only big question I'm left with is: where is "Prescience Island"? Is it Prince of Wales Island? Somewhere else?