David Mitchell continues to be one of my very favorite authors. One of those authors that you can't wait until they release their next book and hope that they never stop writing. 
 The story is of Jacob De Zoet's time in Dejima, Japan. As a lowly clerk of the Dutch East Indies Company, Jacob sets out with the intent to not only investigate gross negligence in the bookkeeping of the company's Dejima branch, but to make enough money so he can marry his sweetheart back home. His role with the company and his life goals change dramatically after only a few months as he faces a struggle with his conscience against a company and country whose beliefs and rituals will change the way he sees right and wrong and ultimately sees himself. 
 I have a habit of not reading the book jackets for authors that I really like. I would rather be surprised by what's to come. Even the most expertly written summary on the book jacket can give something away. So, for this book, I did not know what to expect. And you never really do when you open a book by David Mitchell. His topics are always sublimely unique and creative and the voice he uses for narrative and characters is singular to each book. This novel being one of historical fiction (one of my favorite genres) did not disappoint. 
 I can't wait for the next one!