The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell Review
Reviewed by Anna Barker
This book was long-listed for the Mann Booker prize. It has had hundreds of glowing reviews, being described variously as a “dazzle of narrative fireworks (Ursula le Guin, The Guardian 2.9.14)” and “transportingly great (Derek Thompson, The Atlantic 2.9.14)”. There are a few flaws noted but the general consensus by the literary great and good is that this is an amazing, a jaw-droppingingly amazing, novel.
It is structured as six separate parts, each connected by the character of Holly Sykes. In the first part, we join Holly in the mid-1980s, when she is 16. Following a fight with her Mum, she runs away and we follow her. In general, Holly and the other characters are engaging and the story reasonably interesting. There is a hint of something “other-worldly” in that Holly has previously heard voices but there’s nothing to write home about until a brutal scene near the end of the section. Conveniently, Holly’s memory is erased and she returns home when she learns that her young brother, Jacko, has disappeared.
The second part introduces a new character, Hugo. Holly is now working at a ski resort and is mentioned on and off as Hugo’s love interest. Hugo is a less engaging character and, for me at least, this part dragged. At the end of the second section, Hugo joins the “Anchorites”. We have been given the clue in the first part that these are the “baddies” but you have to park that thought for now as we’re into the third part. This is set in 2004 and focuses on Holly’s partner Ed, a celebrated war correspondent. He is currently working in Iraq but has returned home for Holly’s sister’s wedding. If there is a continuing plot in the rest of the book, the third part doesn’t really move it forward. We learn a lot about Ed, his work and views on the Iraq war and a reasonable amount about Holly. She has a form of trance towards the end of the section which allows Ed to find their missing 6 year old daughter. There seemed very little reason for this, apart from the need to remind readers that this isn’t an ordinary book.
We are now half way through an extremely long book (595 pages in hardback). Part four is the point at which Mr. Mitchell decides to be oh so clever and introduces us to an author, writing about an author, Crispin. Crispin mocks the literary establishment, makes in jokes and generally parodies himself and his world. He also meets Holly, who is now a best-selling author, having written a book about her supernatural experiences. This part is set in the near future, as are the next two parts. The fifth part actually deals with the whole Anchorites (baddies) versus Horologists (goodies). Holly learns that Jacko is almost certainly dead but actually, that doesn’t matter because he died in spirit and was inhabited by a Horologist when he was 5. There’s an awful lot of mumbo jumbo, Cathars, psychic battles and other tedium. The good news is that Holly survives so we can join her in part six. This is set in 2043. Modern life has self-combusted and Holly ekes out an existence with her grandchildren in rural Ireland. The Chinese keep the peace to protect their commercial interests but suddenly pull out, leaving the populace at the mercy of violent militia. It all looks very bleak when, miracles of miracles, one of the Horologists arrives. He has survived, managed to inhabit a Swede and persuaded the Prime Minister to rescue Holly’s grandchildren.
You may have guessed by now that I am not a fan of this book. The summary above is probably a little biased therefore but it’s basically accurate. There are good things – Holly, at times, is an interesting character, as are some of the other characters. David Mitchell can write and has a lot to say. If you like his work, you are probably foaming at the mouth now. However, if you are wondering whether to buy this for Great Aunt Maud for Christmas, don’t. Mitchell seems to feel the need to be clever, to be different and to tell us this at all points. I couldn’t actually see the point of the whole Horologist and Anchorite thing. It didn’t add to anything involving Holly and the human element of the story. At the same time, it didn’t stand up as a fantasy/paranormal story either. If you like that sort of story, you’d be better off reading Kate Mosse or even Dan Brown.
I suspect that this book is written for a certain fan base. David Mitchell is very popular; many people described his earlier “Cloud Atlas” as life changing. Personally, I’m left feeling that I’ve spent far too much of my life on this book.
I have been asked to rate the book out of 5 stars. As an individual, based on my personal enjoyment, I’d say 1. However, in an effort to be objective, bearing in mind that David Mitchell’s writing style is polished and there are brief periods of interest, I’d say 2.5/5.
Rating: 2.5/5
RRP: £20 (Hardback)
Available to buy from Waterstones in store on online here.
