Even though I knew it was the author I read this article in the comedians voice :)
I can't help but wonder how the two feel about each other; both being big names in their own field. Both enjoyable in their own right too.
It does sound a bit like something he might have written.
Cloud Atlas stands firmly on its own, I should re-read it at some point. The movie (also a one of a kind, it staying reasonably close to the source material and being one of the most expensive independent movies ever) keeps popping up on Netflix too.