Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Pages: 352
Civilization has collapsed from disease. The population has dwindled by 6 million people from a terrible, fast moving flu. The ones that are left and struggling to survive. The book takes place 15 years after the collapse. Before the flu, a famous actor named Arthur, dies on stage. A young actress, named Kirsten, watches in horror. That evening, the flu starts to spread. People barricade themselves, but soon civilization shuts down. No more power, no more water. Now, 15 years after the collapse, Kirsten is part of the traveling symphony that moves around different settlements to perform Shakepeare. Along the way, the encounter a prophet who digs graves for anyone who tries to leave their settlement. After the troup leaves the prophet, members of the Symphony start to disappear, and the symphony is sure it is the work of the prophet.
This book spans decades - going back and forth between the past and the present - showing how all the main characters are intertwined.
This was a pretty good book. I am a fan of dystopian future. When I read the plot of the book, I thought it might disappoint (a traveling symphony is a failed society? Really?) but it didn't. It somehow worked. I loved how all the main characters lives cross and that leads to the discovery of who the prophet really is.
It does baffle me a little bit that this author believes that 15 years after society collapse - things would still be very basic. I feel like 15 years after the plague, people would have tried to regroup and become a functioning society. Did they see "The Stand?" But maybe this book portrays a more realistic future. People would be so spread out - and scared - that they might not have the means or want to find others.
Check this book out and decide for yourself.
Stars: 4
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