David Mitchell’s novel, Cloud Atlas, explores the theme of interconnectedness, how the actions of individual lives impact one another in the past, present, and future, and how one soul is shaped by those actions. This theme of interconnectivity is a powerful and poignant one that has been explored in many other fantasy books, each with its unique take on the idea. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best fantasy books that explore the theme of interconnectedness, similar to Cloud Atlas.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: The Night Circus is a stunningly beautiful novel that explores the idea of interconnectedness through the story of two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who are pitted against one another in a magical competition that spans years. As their battle unfolds, they begin to realize that their lives are more intertwined than they ever could have imagined. The novel is filled with gorgeous descriptions, intricate world-building, and a cast of unforgettable characters that all contribute to the theme of interconnectedness.
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell: The Bone Clocks is another novel by David Mitchell that explores the theme of interconnectedness. The novel follows the life of Holly Sykes, who is drawn into a war between two groups of immortals, the Horologists and the Anchorites. As she struggles to survive and protect those she loves, Holly discovers that her actions have ripple effects that echo through time, connecting her to the larger world in unexpected ways.
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow: The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a beautifully written novel that explores the theme of interconnectedness through the story of a young girl named January, who discovers a magical book that opens doors to other worlds. As she travels through these worlds, she begins to realize that her actions and the actions of those she meets have a profound impact on the larger universe. The novel is filled with stunning imagery, memorable characters, and a sense of wonder that all contribute to the theme of interconnectedness.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: The Time Traveler’s Wife is a novel that explores the theme of interconnectedness through the story of a man named Henry, who has a genetic condition that causes him to time travel unpredictably, and his wife Clare, who struggles to build a life with him. As their lives unfold, they begin to realize that their actions in one time period can have profound effects on the other, and that their love for one another transcends time and space. The novel is a poignant and emotional exploration of the theme of interconnectedness, and it has become a modern classic of the genre.
The theme of interconnectedness, explored in Cloud Atlas, is a powerful and poignant one that has been explored in many other fantasy books. The Night Circus, The Bone Clocks, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, and The Time Traveler’s Wife are just a few examples of the many great fantasy books that explore this theme in unique and compelling ways. Whether you’re drawn to stories of magic, time travel, or other worlds, these books offer a glimpse into a universe where everything is connected, and every action has consequences that ripple through time and space.
If you enjoyed the books mentioned above, or enjoy similar themes in fantasy, consider Thread the Bone (linked below) as your next read.
