“Souls cross ages like clouds cross skies, an' tho' a cloud's shape nor hue nor size don't stay the same, it's still a cloud an' so is a soul. Who can say where the cloud's blowed from or who the soul'll be 'morrow? Only Sonmi the east an' the west an' the compass an' the atlas, yay, only the atlas o' clouds.”

David Mitchell is a British novelist and short-story writer. His work often explores themes of memory, identity, and the complexities of human connection, blending literary depth with accessible storytelling. Known for novels like *Ghostwritten* and *Number Nine*, he has earned a reputation for rich, introspective narratives.