Station Eleven, By Emily St.John Mandel
Begin your journey with Station Eleven
The opening of the novel is everything a reader expects in a narrative, drama, excitement, and a strong character introduction. In spite of that, the rest of the novel limps on in comparison. The narrative is packed with starting with a global pandemic and a traveling Shakespeare troupe making their way through mostly empty pockets of leftover communities. A symphony of nameless musicians known only by the instrument they play in the novel, a cult with the most boring cult leader in history, and a nonlinear plot that keeps you going.
It’s hard to pinpoint where the narrative starts to wane, what is clear is that there is a loss of drama and excitement. Mandel seems to hesitate after the first few chapters, it’s almost like she is not able to fix her attention on one character long enough to craft a single character worth caring for. Instead, she skirts around different ideas and undertones of hope, nostalgia, and memory.
As far as characters go, Mandel’s cast of characters displays a placidness not common in the genre. Their speech, mannerisms, and outlook do not reflect what we normally see in dystopian narratives that intentionally put their heroes in scenarios that create anxiety and distress. Mandel’s characters maneuver through the post-apocalyptic world with very little urgency, and although the characters are not common to its genre the band of actors and musicians in the novel demonstrates a different sort of resilience.
Artistic resilience is a theme that is often not considered a popular theme in dystopian settings. Often art is viewed as a luxury or foolishness. However, the resilience of creative people and the art forms they create and cherish are essential themes in Station Eleven. Shakespeare holds an important seat in Station Eleven. Shakespeare’s role as an artist and his writing transcends time by serving as a form of artistic memory that lasts long after the end of civilization. The global pandemic resets history, and Shakespeare’s work serves as a work of art that provides beauty and hope again during a pledged time of darkness.
In this narrative, “survival is insufficient.” Character, themes, and motifs lead to one head-pounding question, what would suffice? What would last beyond our time? What beautiful act of creativity would make it through the destruction of our fragile peace?
Begin by clicking Station Eleven and enjoy the ride.
