The beautifully written story of Akira Kumo, who miraculously survived the atomic bombing on Hiroshima and is now living in Paris. He has hired Virginie from the local library to help catalog his vast meteorology collection. A collection that is missing one book a copy of Richard Abercrombies book on meteorology. Only one copy exists the original and Abercrombies only heir has no intention of selling or donating the book.
While going through his collection, Akira explains the history of clouds and how they have led to the start of the science of meteorology. He begins with the story of Luke Howard, an English Quaker, who first determined that clouds help define weather patterns and named clouds.
He then covers the life of Carmichael, a fictional painter in England, based on a real painter, who devoted his life to painting clouds. His desire to paint clouds was strongly influenced by his knowledge of Luke Howards work.
And, he shares the story of Richard Abercrombie, a fictional early meteorologist, who traveled the world to catalogue clouds. After his world tour, Abercrombie was vastly changed and never did publish his work. Rather, he passed it on to his adopted daughter, who is now elderly and still determined to not share her fathers works with anyone.
Akira has become somewhat enamored with Virginie and decides to hire her to help him obtain Abercrombies book and sends her to London to negotiate with the family. While she is gone, Akira comes to realize fully the reason that he survived the bombing of Hiroshima with tragic results.
At first, I wasnt sure where this story was going, but I kept reading because of how beautifully it was written. Soon, I found myself drawn into the story. Its a very interesting look at how things, like clouds, look lovely and light, but can really be heavy and forboding.
While going through his collection, Akira explains the history of clouds and how they have led to the start of the science of meteorology. He begins with the story of Luke Howard, an English Quaker, who first determined that clouds help define weather patterns and named clouds.
He then covers the life of Carmichael, a fictional painter in England, based on a real painter, who devoted his life to painting clouds. His desire to paint clouds was strongly influenced by his knowledge of Luke Howards work.
And, he shares the story of Richard Abercrombie, a fictional early meteorologist, who traveled the world to catalogue clouds. After his world tour, Abercrombie was vastly changed and never did publish his work. Rather, he passed it on to his adopted daughter, who is now elderly and still determined to not share her fathers works with anyone.
Akira has become somewhat enamored with Virginie and decides to hire her to help him obtain Abercrombies book and sends her to London to negotiate with the family. While she is gone, Akira comes to realize fully the reason that he survived the bombing of Hiroshima with tragic results.
At first, I wasnt sure where this story was going, but I kept reading because of how beautifully it was written. Soon, I found myself drawn into the story. Its a very interesting look at how things, like clouds, look lovely and light, but can really be heavy and forboding.
