Let's make this birthday one to remember.

56 years old (Born on January 12, 1969)

Happy birthday, David Stephen Mitchell! May your day be as brilliantly layered and delightfully complex as "Cloud Atlas." Having gifted readers richly imaginitive worlds, from the dreamy landscapes of "number9dream" to epic journeys spanning centuries, you continue to captivate us all with your limitless imagination.

Here's hoping your celebration today mirrors a blockbuster adaptation: memorable moments with exceptional company—but hopefully fewer confusing timeline jumps. May this year bring continued literary adventure filled with rich storylines that effortlessly span genres (and maybe another bestseller that Hollywood can't resist!). Cheers to more plot twists ahead—happy birthday!