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adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Trafficking
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Minor: Rape
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Murder
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Child death, Rape
I have such mixed feelings about the book, especially reading this in the midst of COVID craziness. TL;DR: I enjoyed Mandel's writing style, particularly her imagery. While I would have preferred more character development in the story, I think this book was a very refreshing, creative addition to the "post-apocalypse" genre, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading very prosaic literature, and who is looking for a contemplative, slow-burn-type read.
Some more detailed thoughts: I thought the introduction especially was slow--I didn't feel myself getting pulled into the story until around Part III or Part IV of the book. I think the story does suffer from some organizational confusion, as we are yanked between the "pre-pandemic" and the "post-pandemic" quite a few times within each part of the book. This was really confusing in the beginning, but as the pieces of the story fit together, I became much more invested in the characters. I found Miranda's character to be the most fascinating. I really wished Mandel has further developed some of the other POV characters, like Jeevan, V., and the other Symphony members, because they honestly felt forgettable in the grand scheme of the book.
Station Eleven is overall a pretty slow-paced book, in part because Mandel really invests in her imagery and descriptions (which I personally enjoyed, but I know this can be a turnoff for some readers). I would say that if you're looking for an extremely character or plot driven story, Station Eleven wouldn't fit the bill. In fact, I would describe Station Eleven as an atmospheric, thematic exploration into themes like humanity, progress, and civilization.
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really couldn't say why I enjoyed this book. If I tried to explain it to anyone, I'd take about two sentences to explain the premise, which sounds fascinating and then end up with, "But all that happened was..."
There are some interesting observations about life, and whole lot of random everyday life (pre-, mid-, and post-apocalypse), and a few very bad life decisions. Overall I found the characters likeable, but rarely admirable or especially interesting. There was some suspense around how different storylines fit together, and the resolution was quietly satisfying (though not surprising by the time got there).
My only explanation for liking this book is that the writing must have been amazing (rather unobtrusively amazing, but that's how I prefer writing styles) to keep me so engaged, so I will probably try more books by the author.
There are some interesting observations about life, and whole lot of random everyday life (pre-, mid-, and post-apocalypse), and a few very bad life decisions. Overall I found the characters likeable, but rarely admirable or especially interesting. There was some suspense around how different storylines fit together, and the resolution was quietly satisfying (though not surprising by the time got there).
My only explanation for liking this book is that the writing must have been amazing (rather unobtrusively amazing, but that's how I prefer writing styles) to keep me so engaged, so I will probably try more books by the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really struggled with the star rating for this book. On the one hand, the writing is drop-dead gorgeous, the worldbuilding and epic sweep of the story are impressive, and the story does an incredible job of making you realize just how precious life as we know it truly is. On the other, the characterization is weak, the plot is full of contrivances, and many of the individual storylines feel underbaked (even if they contribute to a beautiful whole). I ultimately ended up giving 3.5 stars because, for all its flaws, Station Eleven is compelling enough that it still sticks with me to this day.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence
This story is about a flu pandemic that wipes out 90% of the population and human civilization along with it. Some main characters die of the virus. There are sequences where characters know they are infected and must chose how to spend their last days on Earth.
Grief pervades every inch of this story. We see characters grieving relationships, careers, dead and dying loved ones, and the end of a world.
One major character has been married three times, and every marriage has ended with him cheating on his wife with someone else. We later read about his first wife's discovery of his infidelity from her point of view. Another character is revealed to have cheated on her previous boyfriend. While her actions aren't *quite* portrayed in a positive light, it's also clear she feels very little remorse, and she's treated as a hero by the narrative for her other actions.
One chronically ill character, unable to travel, decides to take his own life so his brother will be free to escape the rapidly collapsing city they live in.
In the parts of the story set after the apocalypse, violence is relatively common. Several characters are killed with throwing knives, bows and arrows, guns, and other lethal weapons.
There are references to sex, but no graphic sex scenes. The main villains of the post-apocalyptic timeline are a group of cultists. It is strongly implied the cult leader coerces female members of the cult to sleep with him, including minors. This is depicted as horrifying and completely wrong.
Two side characters are kidnapped by a band of cultists. One is ultimately rescued, but the other dies of wounds sustained during the kidnapping.
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Medical content, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Pedophilia
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I didn't realize how appropriate this book was when I picked it up, but I'm glad I did. A fascinating story built really well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma