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criscorreapardo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
opheliabox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Stunning.
firoana's review against another edition
Attempt 1 : Aug 25th to October 25th. Page 143. Will return to later
st_urmer's review against another edition
3.0
I note a lot of reviewers here mention post-apocalypse fatigue, but that this book rises above the average. That is true. But I still have the fatigue. Three stars is a bit unfair, as this was well written, well plotted and fairly original. I would definitely recommend.
sdramsey's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book--but it's amusing that at one point I observed to my daughter, "I like this book, but the author tends to get too 'literary' at times, and I get impatient with that." Because, of course, I thought it was more a science fiction book and not a "literary" book when I picked it out of the audiobook lineup at my library and started listening, when the truth is that it's a "literary" book with science fiction/dystopic tropes. (Not that I'm all that keen on the word "literary" as an identifier, but it seems to be the one that we're stuck with.)
However, I think this goes to show that such distinctions are real. What I meant when I made that remark to my daughter was that there was, for my taste, too much introspection, too much thinking, too much considering the weight of everything by the characters. When the active story flagged too long for these things, that's when I got impatient. Now, there are many flashbacks and time-jumps in this story, and I'm not necessarily talking about those. I'm talking about the places where the forward motion of the story is trumped by other things--such as characters lingering long and in detail over memories, conversations, relationships, interactions, and objects.
I like the fact that this novel has made me think about this distinction. It's not that I'm against introspection and consideration of things that are fraught with meaning in a story. It's just that I want those things that are fraught with meaning to also move the story along. Meaning alone is not enough for me. I want meaning and I want movement, and it's the balance between those two things that contribute to the success of a book for me.
That said, the author does a decent job in her foray into the speculative elements of the book, and has created some intriguing characters. I'd recommend it if you are interested in seeing a generally well-done blending of literary and commercial genres, and if you like a well-thought-out disaster/aftermath story. The active storyline is worth tolerating some of the slower parts.
However, I think this goes to show that such distinctions are real. What I meant when I made that remark to my daughter was that there was, for my taste, too much introspection, too much thinking, too much considering the weight of everything by the characters. When the active story flagged too long for these things, that's when I got impatient. Now, there are many flashbacks and time-jumps in this story, and I'm not necessarily talking about those. I'm talking about the places where the forward motion of the story is trumped by other things--such as characters lingering long and in detail over memories, conversations, relationships, interactions, and objects.
I like the fact that this novel has made me think about this distinction. It's not that I'm against introspection and consideration of things that are fraught with meaning in a story. It's just that I want those things that are fraught with meaning to also move the story along. Meaning alone is not enough for me. I want meaning and I want movement, and it's the balance between those two things that contribute to the success of a book for me.
That said, the author does a decent job in her foray into the speculative elements of the book, and has created some intriguing characters. I'd recommend it if you are interested in seeing a generally well-done blending of literary and commercial genres, and if you like a well-thought-out disaster/aftermath story. The active storyline is worth tolerating some of the slower parts.
brendoman's review against another edition
4.0
An original take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Very quick read. I enjoyed how the characters tied together while still retaining unique storylines.
meenie_14's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fascinating treatise on apocalypse, both the terror and the banality of life that stretches on into the unknown in a new-old world. The thread that joined the characters and the flashbacks played well and I really enjoyed the overall story and the characters.
leahhhtaylor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Excellent!!!! Just really great work all around. World building MWAH! I really enjoyed this. A book that demands space in your mind. Incredible weaving of all of the characters. Truly beautiful without trying overtly to be. The beauty of human existence and the nuance of modernity. A story that even makes me think positively of the snow, of the cold!!! Of the world ending and NOT committing suicide.
snukes's review against another edition
4.0
This book was beautiful. The language, the atmosphere, the symbolism and metaphors. I liked the way all the plot lines circled around an event that was ultimately small and insignificant (Arthur's death) in the face of the the book's premise (the death of civilization by disease). The society Mandel envisions arriving after the end of the society we know is infinitely more sensible to me than most post-apocalyptic scenarios I've encountered. A period of violence and unrest followed by reorganization into small but generally civilized social groups. I liked it, and I liked seeing the ways in which she imagined this set up DIDN'T work, as well. The metaphors provided through the Station Eleven comic book were very cool.
As a side note, during the scene in which Jeevan is buying groceries right before the world end, I almost had a nervous episode. For some reason, this is something I dream about. (Literally.) I dream that the world is falling apart and I need to acquire all the supplies I need while doom is closing in. In my dreams, I never make it, but I'm always SO close. I felt the exact same panic as Jeevan is shopping, then leaving his carts full of food UNATTENDED in the parking lot, then has to wheel them across town and get them upstairs in a high rise. It was seriously stressful for me. I couldn't believe it when he succeeded.
As a side note, during the scene in which Jeevan is buying groceries right before the world end, I almost had a nervous episode. For some reason, this is something I dream about. (Literally.) I dream that the world is falling apart and I need to acquire all the supplies I need while doom is closing in. In my dreams, I never make it, but I'm always SO close. I felt the exact same panic as Jeevan is shopping, then leaving his carts full of food UNATTENDED in the parking lot, then has to wheel them across town and get them upstairs in a high rise. It was seriously stressful for me. I couldn't believe it when he succeeded.