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Station Eleven

Questions About Station Eleven

by Emily St. John Mandel (Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ Author)

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Answered Questions (102)

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Dead John Williams I know this is late but I have just finished Station Eleven and I am intrigued by your question because of what it assumes.

You have to feed yourself e…m´Ç°ù±ðI know this is late but I have just finished Station Eleven and I am intrigued by your question because of what it assumes.

You have to feed yourself every day. Without the modern world how you go about that? You have no refrigeration so you have to gather food regularly. How will you maintain your energy intake? If you fail to feed yourself for 3 days in a row but have used energy trying you will be feeling physically drained and your thinking may not be altogether rational. Your failing physical resources make it more likely that you will fail to feed yourself again. If you haven't eaten in 7 days you will be so weak that you will probably not be able to gather food again. Grass and bark will not keep you alive.

Whilst all this is going on you will need to protect yourself, not get injured or wounded or otherwise infected. You will need to source clean water, one bout of dysentery and it is pretty much all over for you (or any of us).

Assuming that you manage to do all this and find a library and have time to read, would you have the skills to make or assemble the relevant parts? Would you know where to find the relevant parts? No power tools. Would you evaluate the risk of spending time reading when you cannot guarantee and food supply or even your own safety?

I am very skilled in the technical areas required for solar or other energry sources but could I feed myself? I'm not sure that I could. Could I find someone to feed me while I produce electricity? or even anyone who saw the use of that? What would you do with electricity that would be worth the effort and risk?

Just my thoughts and thanks for sparking such a good thread(less)
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Sarah
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I enjoyed the story. It held my attention, but I'm curious about the role of Jeevan. So much attention was paid to him before the collapse but I didn't understand how he integrated into the larger story post-collapse. I felt like we were given a quick update on him: he's "the doctor", has a family, and treated victims of the prophet once, but then nothing. What was the point of his character?
Stephanie Jeevan is another representation that survival is insufficient. Before the pandemic, he's searching for purpose and thinks he will find it when he bec…m´Ç°ù±ðJeevan is another representation that survival is insufficient. Before the pandemic, he's searching for purpose and thinks he will find it when he becomes a paramedic. He's neurotic and fearful of doomsday--which is why his doctor friend calls to warn him of the impending pandemic. Even as he's barricaded in the apartment with Frank to avoid the flu, he's fearful of a new world and clings to hope that the electricity will come back on and order will be restored.

But when we see Jeevan 20 years after the collapse, he's calm and in control of emergency situations. He's become an accomplished doctor and handles stressful situations with aplomb. He's adjusted to the new normal and has found purpose in the new ways (providing health care, providing for a family, keeping stability in his new town). He's even started a young family in contrast with his failed relationships of the past. Jeevan doesn't simply survive the pandemic and collapse of civilization, he finds purpose and peace in his new life. He's another embodiment of "Survival is insufficient."(less)
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What is the significance of the play King Lear, in the book. I read the book and didn't feel that it was intended to be significant what play was on, in the opening scenes of the book. Did I miss the significance? I liked the book but didn't grasp clearly whether Lear was a significant choice or not that significant.
TheJudge In many ways Arthur is like King Lear...a character drunk on power and ego whose self-absorption end up harming the ones he loves most (Miranda/Cordel…m´Ç°ù±ðIn many ways Arthur is like King Lear...a character drunk on power and ego whose self-absorption end up harming the ones he loves most (Miranda/Cordelia). And only in facing death comes to realize that he has led an empty life and seeks to redeem himself.

In many ways our world/society is like King Lear...can we find redemption or does it take a tragic act -- getting thrown out of our kingdom to face the storm or a pandemic wiping out much of civilization as we know it -- to find greater meaning. (less)
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Is this good? i'm considering reading it.
Debra I just set down one of the best books I have ever read. It is a brand new release. The book is called Station Eleven and the author is Emily St John M…m´Ç°ù±ðI just set down one of the best books I have ever read. It is a brand new release. The book is called Station Eleven and the author is Emily St John Mandel. I was expecting to be disappointed because of all the hype about this book being released in a digital format first. But this does not disappoint at all. Wow this book is just lovely. It was so good that I wanted to finish reading it in a format worthy of the book.....not nodding off at night. So with late afternoon sunshine coming through the windows, a cup of hot tea, a purple acrylic blanket, new fingerless gloves, clean reading glasses and a warm poodle in my lap I sat down to savor the last few chapters.

This author writes sparingly and elegantly. This is the story you never knew you were waiting to read....until you read it. The story opens with a horrific opening act of King Lear. But that is only a suggestion of what is coming. Emily St John Mandel is so good at crafting a story that I could not tell if this was a tale of transformation, loss or hope. Not until the very end.

Anyone who appreciates good writing should read this book. I have never set down a book and felt so compelled to immediately tell someone just how wonderful the book is, until this book. And enjoy the magic of flipping on a light to read by.
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