The Bone Clocks

The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell

Genre: Fiction / science fiction, Drama
Publication date: September 2014
Reason for read: My boyfriend purchased this Kindle book for me as a Christmas present. He saw that it was on New York Time's top 20 list and thought that I would enjoy this semi-sci-fi novel. Funny story - he was between The Bone Clocks and Station Eleven to get for me, and I actually was on a hold list for Station Eleven at Bryn Mawr library.
Interesting note: David Mitchell claims that the characters and storylines coincide with some of his other works (like Black Swan Green), similar to Stephen King connecting several of his books (The Dark Tower series, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, etc).

This was a phenomenal book to start 2015. The Bone Clocks is very dense, at over 640 pages, but the story and characters hold you and the mystery of Horology and the Anchorites keep you motivated to continue reading. I did have trouble with the locations, as much of the novel takes place in Europe (England and Ireland), but I don't know to what factor geographical knowledge would enhance my enjoyment.

The novel revolves around Holly Sykes, but is written from the point of view (POV) of several characters that Holly encounters throughout her life. The story is told from England in 1984 to Ireland in 2040. Holly and others have special abilities are referred to as a "psychoeteric"skills, and this trait makes them desirable to Carnivores, or Anchorites. And then there are the Horologists, the resurrectionists, who switch genders at ever resurrection and who exist at a present time with memories and knowledge from previous lifetimes.

The Horologists are the most interesting. These individuals live a full life, perish, and are resurrected in a new body, different gender, and must start all over again. How odd it must be to have the wisdom of a 400 year-old being stuck in an adolescent girl's body. No one takes you seriously. No one wants to hear your opinion on politics or religion. And if you really let your knowledge shine, you draw attention to yourself which could be dangerous (although, how much do you have to lose when you know you can start over again). Years and years of time. Nothing but time. You are able to travel across the globe, learn multiple languages, discover new passions or focus on previous interests. The caveat is that everyone you know and everyone you meet and everyone you care for will die, and you will live on. And how do relationships work if you a girl now, but in the past life you were a male? Is that considered bisexual? Does it really matter to someone centuries old?

I realized upon completion that the male characters (the POV characters at least) all had major flaws. Perhaps I am quick to say this because I am a female and can empathize and forgive the females, but the males all appeared to act selfishly and hurtfully. The male POV characters cheated their friends, set up a business foe for incarceration, and abandoned their families for work and personal interests. The males all believed they were acting righteously (although they were really being self-righteous) and had no problem scoffing at others, thinking themselves to be so high and mighty. This isn't a negative critique on the characters, only an interesting realization, perhaps caused my growing feminism.

The novel did not deal with multiple or parallel universes, but instead with different points of time and how all humans are "Bone Clocks" - sacks of bones ticking down to individual and collective expiration. The conclusion of the book is a bit morose with political undertones, but overall it was an exciting journey with the climax being a battle of Good versus Evil. I won't tell who wins.

Morals: Every person you encounter is part of your Script, and plays a role in your life. Do not underestimate or take for granted those around you. Appreciate what and who you have because time is a fickle beast and can speed up and take those things from you.

Finished reading Friday, January 9th

DD's Rating: A+

Next book: Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston