Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. 3/5 stars.

Fifteen years after a virus wipes out humanity, humans must find meaning in their lives and the world. They must also find hope for their future and pass on the history of “the lost world” to a new generation who has never seen electricity. Although the story follows characters as they traverse the country in search of a major airport, it also moves through the past of various characters who are linked by their connection to Arthur, a famous actor who dies in the opening of the book. Station Eleven journeys through the lives of people who knew Arthur, and highlights the way he impacted them and the world. The closing of this book includes Arthur's regrets and final thoughts before he died as well as some light action scenes involving other characters.

What I liked most about this novel was the thought-provoking issues of survival; travel via horse-and-carriage (caravan), self-defense via knife-throwing and crossbow, foraging, hunting, camping, reconnaissance, and the interconnectedness of people. I also felt like I was collecting clues about the “lost world,” which kept me engaged. I enjoyed the author's emphasis on having loyalty to a tribe or clan, and how she portrayed the character’s reliance on each other for emotional and physical survival. Mandel has a writing style that focuses on nature; specifically the beauty of the sky and foliage. She does not focus on the gruesomeness of death, and this book was not morbid but mostly sad and reflective of things lost. Her writing style focuses on the dialogue between characters as well as their observations of the world.

What I liked least about this book was the focus on a comic book Station Eleven, which linked the characters together. I’m not sure I understood the deeper meaning of this comic book and the significance of it. This book left me thinking that I must have missed a deeper message because I was not swept off my feet or deeply moved, although overall I did enjoy the book.

It’s also worth mentioning I didn’t think the world she created was realistic for many reasons, mostly because I have more faith in humanity. I believe that humanity would have organized, formed a government, rebuilt society, and at least created basic electricity and communication ability after fifteen years. Mandel had people living communally with no refrigeration, in tents and abandoned fast-food restaurants. I could not immerse myself in this world fully because I just did not agree with the premise of the story. That being said, I do think it is good just for discussing civilization in general, in a post-apocalyptic world.

This book sheds light on the importance of the legacy we leave behind, as well as the importance of understanding our history. It also raises questions about the meaning and purpose of civilization. I recommend this book to people who enjoy philosophical discussions about life and society. I do not recommend this book for people who like suspense, action, and plot twists. The ending of this book left me scratching my head, trying to understand the deep meaning the author was conveying. Someone who enjoys this feeling after a book would really enjoy Station Eleven!

Get it here: https://amzn.to/2Ifi3Cr