The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet review

I like David Mitchell. I like him because he’s not afraid to try something different. I adored Cloud Atlas when I first read it, and since then every book I’ve read by him has impressed me. I don’t always love everything that he’s written but I can’t help but like him because all his writing is so clever. The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is no different.

Set in 1799 in Dejima, a Dutch trading outpost in Japan, Mitchell’s latest book tells of a clerk, Jacob de Zoet. Jacob is seemingly unassuming at the start of the book, but he harbours a desire to reach a higher post. However, this is plan is somewhat hampered by politics, both between the Dutch, British and Japanese, but also the ‘office politics’ of his superiors and their Japanese counterparts.

Jacob finds himself entranced by Orito, the only female student of Dr Marinus and a pioneer midwife in the region. However, the story takes a twist to the sinister, as Orito catches the eye of Abbot Enomoto who runs a bizarre nunnery, full of strange misdeeds and secrets.

The plot is clever. I found it took me a while to get into it as, if I’m honest, it takes a little time to get going. However, once more, I have to admire Mitchell’s skill as a writer. There is so much research that has gone into this book. I loved all the deft jokes around the ‘lost in translation’ exchanges between the Dutch and Japanese, orchestrated by their not always reliable interpreters. There are vast chasms between the two cultures, both dictated by strict hierarchies and observation of unspoken rules.

Mitchell’s characterisation is rich and complex. I loved the contrast between the boorish, mercenary, and drunk Dutch, compared to the reserved and secretive Japanese. It creates a great deal of tension in the book, which builds slowly to a compelling crescendo.

I’ve got give Mitchell credit for this novel. It’s definitely a slow burner but there is a huge amount to it, and as a reader you slowly to start to appreciate it for the creativity it illustrates. There are echoes of Haruki Murakami (there’s a talking cat!) and also of Umberto Eco. I really think David Mitchell continues to create modern masterpieces and I’d highly recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed his previous work.