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A review by machadamia
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is such a roller coaster ride and you should preferably binge it.
I came across this book from a book club and when reading the synopsis, a few things caught my eye that made me want to read it. I liked that it covers perspective from a few people across time. From the ancient all the way into the future and that really intrigued me. It reminded me of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr which was a book I rather enjoyed and hence, I dived in.
At first, it really felt like reading 3 separate stories until it starts to come together in small, intriguing ways. I think the author is great in planting these small things throughout the book that makes you think "oh hmm wait a second". And then later on you realise why they were there. That, and the multiple short chapters really kept me engaged and I read this one in like 2 days.
I much enjoyed majority of it and binging the book means I didn't have time to think about why this guy is here or doing this and that. Which is to say, most of the so called plot holes didn't really get to me because I didn't think that they were such. Only after discussion with various members of the book club who took a longer time to read and digest this book did I see that such plot holes were quite apparent. I think the author isn't trying to write a story where every single thing is justified and indeed if one were to write that, there would be so much unnecessary detailing of things. I like the book as it is.
I do find that at the end,the twist was rather forced in a certain way. I did not see it coming for sure, and it did make me "go oh my god". But after the initial shock, I found that bit to be the most sort of inconsistent in terms of plot. Like I could think of a million questions as to why I feel like it doesn't really make sense. But then again, I guess that's why mind f*cking books are so good because they make you think why how what.
As a book written during the pandemic, I think it reflects so much of what the author is feeling at that point in time. The feeling of isolation and knowing that people are dying and yet you are alive and well. The sort of guilt and cabin fever one feels. It covered so many aspects of the human condition and really got me reflecting about how our lives are and what we should be doing with the time we have. I particularly like the part about thesimulation and how it doesn't matter if it really means we are in one. It basically tells the reader that it doesn't even matter, not the investigation or why we are in this simulation. Really takes sci fi and spins it because so much of sci fi is sort of investigating all these phenomenon and then it leading to a bigger and bigger plot but I liked that it really doesn't matter and hey we should just enjoy life.
Overall, a very fast and easy read. Very worth taking your time to read.
I came across this book from a book club and when reading the synopsis, a few things caught my eye that made me want to read it. I liked that it covers perspective from a few people across time. From the ancient all the way into the future and that really intrigued me. It reminded me of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr which was a book I rather enjoyed and hence, I dived in.
At first, it really felt like reading 3 separate stories until it starts to come together in small, intriguing ways. I think the author is great in planting these small things throughout the book that makes you think "oh hmm wait a second". And then later on you realise why they were there. That, and the multiple short chapters really kept me engaged and I read this one in like 2 days.
I much enjoyed majority of it and binging the book means I didn't have time to think about why this guy is here or doing this and that. Which is to say, most of the so called plot holes didn't really get to me because I didn't think that they were such. Only after discussion with various members of the book club who took a longer time to read and digest this book did I see that such plot holes were quite apparent. I think the author isn't trying to write a story where every single thing is justified and indeed if one were to write that, there would be so much unnecessary detailing of things. I like the book as it is.
I do find that at the end,
As a book written during the pandemic, I think it reflects so much of what the author is feeling at that point in time. The feeling of isolation and knowing that people are dying and yet you are alive and well. The sort of guilt and cabin fever one feels. It covered so many aspects of the human condition and really got me reflecting about how our lives are and what we should be doing with the time we have. I particularly like the part about the
Overall, a very fast and easy read. Very worth taking your time to read.