I am a mood reader prone to slumps and I also rely on my public library (and four additional in-state systems who have reciprocal relationships with my county – libraries are a miracle and you should support yours more) so I don’t always get to read the hot new book when it is hot and new. I know this was the big book around here last year, I read the stats post. So I doubt I’m adding anything new to the conversation here when I say WOWEE ZOWEE WHAT A BOOK.
I went into this blind. I read Station Eleven and knew I trusted this author to lead me on her journey. I spent the first half of the book hoping it would come together at some point, I’m not the biggest fan of loosely connected vignettes that don’t go anywhere. But perseverance paid off and everything clicks in place and the story ended up breaking my heart and then healing it.
Of course the writing is impeccable. Mandel writes such gorgeously tailored books, precise and deeply moving. The characters, the settings, the future she charted – I cannot express how perfect everything was. My first thought after the story settled was “how did she do that?” proving to me once again that books are the ultimate form of magic.
Mostly, though, that ending. I’m not sure the last time I’ve felt so very satisfied by an ending. It was almost like watching a video in reverse of someone opening the most beautifully wrapped present. I almost went back to the beginning to read it all again with the full knowledge of the story. Maybe if it wasn’t due back that day I would have. I know I can’t stop thinking about it. And what better recommendation is there?
