What are the best Japanese novels according to David Mitchell?

One of the best is 'Cloud Atlas'. It weaves together multiple storylines across different time periods and genres, showing Mitchell's incredible narrative skills. The characters in each story are distinct yet interconnected in a profound way.

David Mitchell's 'number9dream' has elements related to Japan. It weaves a complex and dream - like narrative set in Japan. As for David Peace, his work often delves deep into the darker aspects of Japanese society. His 'Tokyo Year Zero' is a prime example, exploring post - war Tokyo in a gritty and unflinching way.

His Japanese novels often feature a strong sense of place. For instance, in 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet', the Japanese setting is almost like a character itself. The details of the landscape, architecture, and daily life are carefully crafted.

There's also 'Out' by Natsuo Kirino. This novel offers a gritty and dark look at the lives of four women working the night shift in a factory. It shows their struggles, their relationships, and how they get involved in a murder. It's a great exploration of the female psyche in a difficult situation.

In terms of style, David Mitchell often uses a more lyrical and complex narrative structure in his Japanese - related novels. His stories can be quite convoluted but in an engaging way. David Peace, however, has a more direct and often harsh style. He doesn't shy away from depicting the harsher realities of Japan. For example, his novels might show the poverty, crime, or political corruption in Japanese society. Also, Mitchell may incorporate more Western literary devices in his Japanese - set works, while Peace is more focused on presenting an authentic Japanese experience from a social and historical perspective.

One of David Mitchell's notable Japanese - themed novels is 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet'. It's set in 18th - century Japan and offers a vivid portrayal of the cultural interactions and power dynamics during that time.

I think 'The Bone Clocks' is a great one. It has a complex and magical plot that spans decades. Mitchell's writing style in this novel is both lyrical and thought - provoking. It combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and coming - of - age stories, which makes it a really rich reading experience.

One of his top novels is 'Cloud Atlas'. It weaves together multiple storylines across different time periods and genres, exploring themes like interconnectedness and the cyclical nature of history. Another great one is 'Ghostwritten', which also has a complex structure with various characters and locations around the world. And 'The Bone Clocks' is considered among his best too, with its blend of fantasy and reality elements.

The complex narrative structure is a unique feature. In novels like 'Cloud Atlas', he jumps between different time periods and characters effortlessly, creating a rich tapestry of stories. His use of different voices and perspectives also stands out.

Well, 'Slade House' is also among the best. It's a horror - tinged novel that's full of mystery. Mitchell builds up the suspense so well, and the atmosphere he creates is really spooky. It's a shorter read compared to some of his other novels but is no less engaging.