by David Mitchell
A fast paced, dreamlike journey around
futuristic Tokyo
Reviewed by: Alan McClymont
About Alan McClymont
Eiji Miyake is 20 years old, naïve and vulnerable. He
arrives in Tokyo from his small town home determined
to find his father who he has never met. The world
which Eiji inhabits is not like the world which you or
I inhabit. Eiji is a dreamer. Much of his life takes
part in a fantasy world. He goes from one daydream to
another. At one point, Tokyo is completely flooded
while he drinks coffee at another he has an imaginary
conversation with his cat.
This is essentially where the wonder of this story
lies. Eiji is a wonderfully constructed, lovable
character but after a while you begin to find yourself
doubting his narrative (even, occasionally, his
sanity) as he ploughs from one wild adventure to the
next. The great thing is that when things are really
happening to him you can never be quite certain that
he his not making it up. You continuously find
yourself playing detective and try to catch him out.
This fantastical, dream like atmosphere is exacerbated
by the fast pace of the plot. Like real life Tokyo
everything moves quickly and the futuristic city is
reflected in the way that the author takes many of his
references from the digital realm. Many of the ideas
seem much more related to video games and action
movies than to any sense of real life.
As a result of the pace and confusion of the narrative
things creep up on you that you never expected. There
are real morals and real life observations in here but
you just don't see them coming. It is such a surprise
when they happen and it suddenly feels like you have a
point of reference at last. This confusion doesn't
hinder your enjoyment, rather it serves to enhance the
good feeling that you experience when you unravel what
you have been reading. A thoroughly enjoyable read
which you will finish and want to start over again. I
would suggest that you do because it only gets better
the second time.
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: Number9dream
Copyright © by Alan McClymont, 2003
Reviewed by Alan McClymont :
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-- Timeline - by Michael Crichton
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-- Player Piano - by Kurt Vonnegut
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-- Number9dream - by David Mitchell
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