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A review by emmalong
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
5.0
This. Book. THIS BOOK. Miss Morgenstern, I am SO sorry to ever have doubted you. I read The Night Circus last year I believe and didn't love it. I listened to it on audio and kind of just dismissed it. NOW, I'm thinking that audio format is simply not the best media to use to consume Erin Morgenstern's books. With that said, I think The Night Circus might deserve another, fairer shot.
I know I've said many books have been my top books of the year, but this one just absolutely blew me and my expectations out of the water (or honey ha ha). I loved so many things about it. The writing was inherently so beautiful and atmospheric. The characters were so much fun to read about and discover "who they really are." This book gets a lot of criticism for not having a plot. While I can see where these reviewers are coming from, I don't think having a heavily structured plot would have benefited this book, in fact, I think it would have ruined it. I like that the main character is created to be open-ended; so the reader can envision themselves in place of them.
And let me just say - I WANT TO GO TO THE STARLESS SEA. The stories throughout this one, overarching story, are so familiar and so ethereal. I find myself trying to remember where I've heard these fairytales and bedtime stories before, but they were all brand new to me somehow. There is so much to weave together, puzzle out, and it makes the story very immersive and exhilarating to read. I think it is meant to leave you confused at points so that the penultimate ending is all the more satisfying to be a part of.
It is such an ode to readers and stories alike that I couldn't help but feel so validated reading it. It is one to go into with an open heart and an open mind, and you just may fall in love with it as well.
This is a book that I will continuously return to even as I grow up and one that I would like to introduce to my future children as well.
I know I've said many books have been my top books of the year, but this one just absolutely blew me and my expectations out of the water (or honey ha ha). I loved so many things about it. The writing was inherently so beautiful and atmospheric. The characters were so much fun to read about and discover "who they really are." This book gets a lot of criticism for not having a plot. While I can see where these reviewers are coming from, I don't think having a heavily structured plot would have benefited this book, in fact, I think it would have ruined it. I like that the main character is created to be open-ended; so the reader can envision themselves in place of them.
And let me just say - I WANT TO GO TO THE STARLESS SEA. The stories throughout this one, overarching story, are so familiar and so ethereal. I find myself trying to remember where I've heard these fairytales and bedtime stories before, but they were all brand new to me somehow. There is so much to weave together, puzzle out, and it makes the story very immersive and exhilarating to read. I think it is meant to leave you confused at points so that the penultimate ending is all the more satisfying to be a part of.
It is such an ode to readers and stories alike that I couldn't help but feel so validated reading it. It is one to go into with an open heart and an open mind, and you just may fall in love with it as well.
This is a book that I will continuously return to even as I grow up and one that I would like to introduce to my future children as well.