Friday 22 September 2017

Station Eleven



Station Eleven
Station Eleven

By Emily St. John Mandel

A famous actor has a heart attack on stage as he performs King Lear; a paramedic-in-training jumps out of the audience to perform CPR; and a 7-year-old actress watches her mentor pass away.  Outside the theatre, snow is falling, and a deadly flu is quickly spreading across the globe.  Unbeknownst to those in the thrall of the King Lear tragedy, the world as we know it is coming to an end.

So begins Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel.  Fast forward 20 years and that young actress is now performing with the Travelling Symphony.  Kirsten has little memory of the old world before the Georgia Flu.  With her parents and brother gone, she now has a new family – all survivors. 

Although there are many settlements, there are no longer towns per se, or even borders.  The Symphony is made up of actors and musicians who move from place to place performing nightly renditions of Shakespeare and Bach, amongst other things.  In a world that has turned dark, the Travelling Symphony brings light.  

There are many hazards on the road, but none so frightening as in St. Deborah-By-The-Sea.  This settlement is ruled by a Prophet; he takes many wives, often young girls, and holds sway over the townsfolk.  The Symphony knows when they arrive that they are in danger, and escape is much more difficult than they imagine.

Meanwhile, Station Eleven also follows the life of our paramedic.  Jeevan must make his way out of Toronto on terrifying roads strewn with the dead.  He must avoid marauding bandits and the dangers of a lawless world, to find… what?  There must be good people out there, he reasons.

As for our actor, Arthur’s former life is revisited – a life of fame, fortune and many regrets.  He leaves behind three ex-wives – one of whom has written the Station Eleven comic book from which the novel gets its name.  He also leaves one son, Tyler, to a new and dangerous existence.

Mandel writes of a dystopian world that is well within the realm of possibility.  At times the characters’ fear is palpable as they navigate the unknown.  But amongst all the heartbreak, beauty persists.  There is a rumour of a Museum of Civilization, located in an airport in Michigan.  The Symphony brings its brand of beauty to the world on a nightly basis.  And as the new world solidifies, people move beyond survival and towards lives they enjoy. 

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  4. "Station Eleven" is a haunting and beautifully written novel that weaves together the collapse of civilization ||abogado de delitos sexuales nueva jersey||Multa Conducción Imprudente Nueva Jersey
    and the resilience of the human spirit, exploring the interconnectedness of lives before and after a devastating pandemic. Mandel's intricate storytelling and poetic prose create a thought-provoking reflection on art, survival, and the enduring power of culture in the face of catastrophe.





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  6. "Station Eleven" by Emily St. John Mandel is a captivating novel that explores a dystopian world and the resilience of its characters amidst adversity. The novel's vivid and believable world is juxtaposed with moments of beauty and hope, showcasing Mandel's ability to create a vivid and believable world. The characters' journeys, particularly Kirsten's transformation from a young actress to a member of the Travelling Symphony, add depth to the narrative. The tension and fear present in the novel, as well as themes of survival, regret, and the search for meaning, are effectively conveyed. The inclusion of the Station Eleven comic book adds an intriguing layer to the story. Mandel's prose skillfully weaves together the disparate lives of her characters, creating a tapestry of interconnectedness that resonates long after the final page. The Travelling Symphony's performances serve as a testament to the enduring spirit of creativity and resilience, offering glimpses of beauty and transcendence amidst the chaos and uncertainty of their world. abogado lesiones personales virginia

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  7. "Station Eleven" explores a post-apocalyptic world where the Travelling Symphony brings hope through performances. As the characters navigate their new realities, we see them grapple with loss, survival, and the search for humanity's resilience amidst chaos. A gripping read!
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