The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
by David Mitchell
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell holds a highly rated rating of 4.03 out of 5, based on 36K reader ratings. First published in 2010. The book spans 479 pages.
About The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
The year is 1799, the place Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the “high-walled, fan-shaped artificial island” that is the Japanese Empire’s single port and sole window onto the world, designed to keep the West at bay; the farthest outpost of the war-ravaged Dutch East Indies Company; and a de facto prison for the dozen foreigners permitted to live and work there. To this place of devious merchants, deceitful interpreters, costly courtesans, earthquakes, and typhoons comes Jacob de Zoet, a devout and resourceful young clerk who has five years in the East to earn a fortune of sufficient size to win the hand of his wealthy fiancée back in Holland.But Jacob’s original intentions are eclipsed after a chance encounter with Orito Aibagawa, the disfigured daughter of a samurai doctor and midwife to the city’s powerful magistrate. The borders between propriety, profit, and pleasure blur until Jacob finds his vision clouded, one rash promise made and then fatefully broken. The consequences will extend beyond Jacob’s worst imaginings. As one cynical colleague asks, “Who ain’t a gambler in the glorious Orient, with his very life?”A magnificent mix of luminous writing, prodigious research, and heedless imagination, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is the most impressive achievement of its eminent author.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | David Mitchell |
| Published | 2010 |
| Pages | 479 |
| Genres | Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction |
| Average Rating | 4.03 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 36,021 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet?
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is categorized as Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Historical Fiction.
Is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet worth reading?
Based on 36K reader ratings, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet has an average score of 4.03 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated."
How many pages is The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet?
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet has 479 pages.
Who wrote The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet?
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet was written by David Mitchell. It was first published in 2010.
What is the ISBN for The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet?
The ISBN-13 for The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet is 9781400065460.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
