Cloud Atlas is like a maze of stories through which you travel alone, following a main character and a main theme. Part of the thrill is to discover how these stories are connected, and it's highly rewarding. As a bonus, this book has several separate books inside it, and it's worth rereading the chapters in different orders.A word of caution: try to avoid reviews who delve too much into the plot. One of the biggest pleasures in Cloud Atlas is the sense of disorientation you feel as you travel through its many twists and turns. In the end, you'll feel the story coming full circle and will have a lot of things to digest and talk about.A magnificent read.