First off, enjoyed reading this book. One thing I was curious about: what was the reaction to his novel by Japanese and Dutch readers? Unfortunately, I had no success in finding anything via google. If you have more luck than me, please feel free to send any info along.
Update: Here's one: a writeup from the Japan Society in the UK
Interview with David Mitchell
Discussion questions on Litlover's site
Facebook site for The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
I found the following reviews of David Mitchell's book offering some criticism, unlike the bulk of the reviews out there.
The reviewer in the New Statesman was not impressed.
Speculation on why this book did not win a Booker Prize nomination for David Mitchell.
The Spectator seemed to be quite critical.
Background for his book
Wikipedia, Henrik Doeff, the Dutchman in Dejima who wrote a memoir about his time in Japan
Wikipedia, Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
Dejima in Wikipedia
The Phaeton incident
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