I was bought this book for Yule from Oliver. His friend had recommended it. As I never got further than page 50 in Cloud Atlas, I was a little apprehensive.
However, I have thoroughly enjoyed the book. The action takes place over 17-18 years at end of the 18th and start of the 19th century, when Japan was still very much a closed country. It is the tale of more than one lot of "unrequited" love. The residents of Dejima were to all intents and purposes exiles, only having contact with their homeland through the island of Batavia. Jacob de Zoet is an honorable man who manages to resist the corruption that the others fall prey to.
A little slow to start, but soon captures the reader in Japan of the late 1700s, early 1800s.
After reading this I think i should go back and give Cloud Atlas another try.