Slade House

This is the first David Mitchell book I have read. I saw the Cloud Atlas movie, and was kind of underwhelmed. His fans tell me this book is an extension of the world he created in The Bone Clocks, but I don't really know anything about that. But despite low expectations I really did enjoy reading this little book! I first spied it's intriguing cover at a Barnes and Noble, and then at some other chain bookstore, but when I happened to be in Aardvark Books in San Francisco, and there it was again, I decided it was time to buy it.

I love stories based on rules, and this is definitely one of those. I can't tell you almost any of them without giving spoilers, because learning the rules is a big part of the fun of the book. It was darker and creepier than I expected -- but only until I understood the rules, and then it was just interesting. The narrative mechanic is very clever, and it is one that I can't believe hasn't been used by more authors. It is kind of like an excellent Doctor Who story, and I suspect someone will make a movie out of it -- in the right hands it could be absolutely charming. That is, for a terrifyingly horrific nightmare story. I was glad I read it, and was sorry when it was over. I guess I'll have to check out his other books!