A review by lauhiggs
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Station Eleven is set in a post-apocalyptic Canada and America. A virus has swept through the world, taking people’s lives at an alarming rate. The world starts shutting down, electricity goes, phone signal goes. It swaps between pre and post pandemic life. Following a cast of characters who’s lives dramatically change from the life they once knew. 

I raced through the beginning of this book. I loved the sections about Arthur and Miranda’s relationship. Miranda, an introverted artist who just wants to create. She doesn’t care if her work is seen it sold by anyone but herself. Arthur is your typical “successful actor”, several relationships with multiple wives, lots of money, lavish lifestyle. The parts I liked the most of this book were the parts before the pandemic. 

The book also focuses on a travelling Shakespearean theatre group, navigating their new world and bringing plays and music they love to audiences all over Canada and America. I think these sections of the book could’ve been a lot more compelling. It felt like nothing was happening then something happened and it was wrapped up too quickly. 

This book was hugely out of my comfort zone, so maybe it just wasn’t for me. 
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