Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mendel had been on my reading list for months, but as books on the list often do, I glanced over it often to read other things. When the novel was finally gifted to me by one of my teachers, I decided it was the perfect time. I read the entirety of the book on a 9-hour flight ride, and I must say, I was not disappointed. All I have to say is that reading a book about apocalyptic plane rides and airports while riding in an airport, totally cut off from outside communication, was not the brightest idea. It was very spooky, which, I can say for certain, did add to the atmosphere of the book.
I adored the novel not just because I tend to love most sci-fi stories, but because each piece of the book works together to form this beautiful, extensive, and cohesive narrative that was so fascinating. The book was funny, entertaining, and spoke beautifully about the nature of humankind: about how humans react in times of crisis and when all is lost. The nonlinear narrative only made this book more beautiful, making it seem as though flashbacks, memories, and fragments of those who had died remained in this new world.
To me, the only downside of the book was the ending. Without spoiling too much, I can only say that while some would consider it as a message of the continuation of life, I see it more as a step back into what things were, retranchement instead of progress. All in all, that is only an opinion, and this is still an incredible book that has definitely climbed to one of my top 10 favorite books. Without a doubt, 5/5 rating.
To close off this review, a quote that speaks for the entirety of the book is one that also held immense importance to some of the novel's characters:
“I stood looking over my damaged home and tried to forget the sweetness of life on Earth.”
If you have time, I hope this quote (and the review as a whole) convinces you to pick up Station Eleven as a future read, because it is definitely worth it.
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