28 January 2005
Amstelkerk

The acclaimed young British author David Mitchell will be giving a talk on his exceptional novel, Cloud Atlas which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2004 – and widely tipped to win by the press, readers, bookshops and bookies alike. (The Line of Beauty by Alan Hollinghurst eventually took the prestitigous literary award...)

The morality and ambitions of a reluctant voyager crossing the Pacific in 1850; a disinherited composer blagging a precarious livelihood in between-the-wars Belgium; a high-minded journalist in Governor Ronald Reagan's California; a vanity publisher fleeing his gangland creditors; a genetically modified 'dinery server' on death-row; and Zachry, a young Pacific Islander, witnessing the nightfall of science and civilisation echo and impact on each others' stories and point to a terrifying vision of the world's future, and challenge our ability to shape not only our destiny but those that will come after us.

A press release can't begin to do justice to this incredible novel: please read it. I promise it won't disappoint.

Following the talk Mitchell will take questions and sign books. Copies of both the English edition and Dutch edition (Wolkenatlas) will be on sale. Note that numbers are strictly limited to 200 (including the press) so early reservations are advised. Reserve online at BritLit's website (below).

The talk has been organised by Dutch publisher Querido, Waterstone's Booksellers Amsterdam, BritLit and Stadsherstel Amsterdam.

Note that everyone is working on the evening for free and all profits are going towards the Asian Tsunami Appeal, GIRO 555.

The talk starts at 8pm (doors open 7pm). As a capacity crowd is expected come early to ensure a decent place and no queue. Cheap wine, beer, coffee, tea and soft drinks are available both before and after the talk.

Tickets: €10 (€5 Students/CJP/+65)