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

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I had been meaning to read this one for a while now but have held off because I wasn’t sure if it was too soon for a “pandemic book.” I am glad I didn’t read it in 2020 as originally planned. In the beginning I did have BIG COVID flashbacks, but those quickly went away as the book takes a completely different turn. 
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It was interesting to me how much I loved this book since it is so different from my usual 5 star reads. This is an absolutely beautiful exploration of humanity and the human experience. I was left with a greater appreciation for life in general, and I found myself looking at the mundane parts of my days differently. 
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Emily St. John Mandel’s writing is absolutely stunning. I especially appreciated her beautifully detailed descriptions of the small routines and habits of the characters’ lives. I did enjoy how the characters were loosely connected and didn’t mind that there wasn’t a deep dive into any one character. Usually I’m all about characters and their development, but the way this story is structured, it speaks to the human experience as a whole rather than any one individual’s experience. 
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My inner English Major gushed over the Shakespeare tie ins. I also loved how the mantra, “Survival is insufficient” (from Star Trek Voyager) is woven throughout the story. This line sums up the central message of the story as well as leaves the reader with something to reflect on in their own lives. 
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This is one that everyone needs to read at some point! It’s a quick but thought-provoking read. Yes, it is about a global pandemic so make sure you’re in a good place for that. 
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