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A review by katyreb
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I was glad I'd read The Glass Hotel before this one. I don't think it was necessary to understand the plot, but I enjoyed recognizing the characters.
It occurred to me in the middle of the book that parts of this story were likely inspired by the authors own experience talking about Station Eleven as it was turned into a TV show during the pandemic. I kept hoping another connection to Station Eleven would show up, but it never did.
Regardless, the book was very interesting, and followed Mandel's typical winding, interconnected storytelling that I enjoy. The ending caught me offguard, in a good way, and I liked that it finished on a surprisingly hopeful and lighthearted note, despite some if the dark and existential themes that occurred throughout it.
It occurred to me in the middle of the book that parts of this story were likely inspired by the authors own experience talking about Station Eleven as it was turned into a TV show during the pandemic. I kept hoping another connection to Station Eleven would show up, but it never did.
Regardless, the book was very interesting, and followed Mandel's typical winding, interconnected storytelling that I enjoy. The ending caught me offguard, in a good way, and I liked that it finished on a surprisingly hopeful and lighthearted note, despite some if the dark and existential themes that occurred throughout it.