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number9dream

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize
By David Mitchell
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3.87 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 26,312 ratings, 1,976 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
number9dream by David Mitchell follows Eiji Miyake, a young man from a rural Japanese island, as he journeys to Tokyo in search of his estranged father. The novel intricately blends reality with fantasy and delves into Eiji's vivid imagination and experiences, exploring themes of identity, dreams, and the complexity of human life. Set against the backdrop of a bustling city, the narrative weaves through moments of adventure, introspection, and surreal encounters.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're drawn to intricate narratives blending reality with fantasy, and if you appreciate stories rich in philosophical introspection and vivid imagery. It's a compelling choice for those who enjoy exploring themes of identity and belonging set against a backdrop of contemporary Tokyo.

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Shortlisted for the Booker and the James Tait Black Memorial Prizes

Shortlisted for the Booker and the James Tait Black Memorial Prizes

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

number9dream by David Mitchell tells the story of Eiji Miyake, who arrives in a sprawling Japanese metropolis to track down the father he has never met. The city proves to be a mapless place if you are 18, broke, and the only person you can trust is John Lennon.

His eight-week hunt delves into the hinterland between the city and the mind. Here, a Polish art movie is no less real than the coffee in front of him. Letters from an Imperial Army soldier act as signposts to the next week, and he crosses paths with numerologists, station masters, gateballers, hostesses, organ harvesters, and insane chefs.

This philosophical, colourful, and sometimes violent novel is a dazzlingly inventive exploration of image, control, and memory.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

David Mitchell's number9dream has been praised for its inventive and richly textured narrative, blending dreams, visions, and a wide array of pop culture influences. It's noted for its experimental narrative style, weaving elements from various genres like action films, manga, and cyberpunk into a poignant coming-of-age tale. The novel's depiction of Tokyo as a complex and mesmerising labyrinth enhances its dream-like quality, making it a compelling read. The vivid prose and depth of characterisation have been highlighted, solidifying its place as a standout in modern fiction.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780340747971

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 April 2002

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Sceptre

Edition: 2nd edition

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 28.0mm

Width: 137.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 432

Collections

David Mitchell Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

David Mitchell's first novel, GHOSTWRITTEN, won the Mail on Sunday/John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award. NUMBER9DREAM, his second, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize. In 2003 he was selected as one of Granta's Best of Young British Novelists and his third novel, CLOUD ATLAS, was shortlisted for 6 awards including the Man Booker Prize and won the British Book Awards Best Literary Fiction and the South Bank Show Literature Prize. He lives in Ireland with his wife and daughter.

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