The Big Read: "Station Eleven" and other post-apocalyptic discussion

[Heather]

Each April, the Library hosts the Big Read, our annual One Book – One Community celebration. In this year's selected title, Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, a flu pandemic kills off 99 percent of the world's population. A group of rag-tag actors and musicians travels across a desolate country to keep the remnants of art and humanity alive — because "survival is insufficient." The story moves back and forth in time, vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, and finally reveals the strange twist of fate that connects them all.

This month's Big Read programs include visits with featured authors Emily St. John Mandel (Thursday, April 12 at the Library Center) and John M. Barry (Thursday, April 19 at the Library Center), interactive survival challenges, film screenings, book discussions and exhibits. Learn more at thelibrary.org/bigread, and place a hold on a library copy of "Station Eleven" here.

A few Big Read-inspired topics for discussion (pick one or more):

If you've read "Station Eleven", what did you think? What stood out to you?

What would you miss most if the world as we know it came to an end?

What's your favorite post-apocalyptic novel?

[Scott]

I read the Stand and that started me on a long road of end of the world fiction.
The Road.
California.
Rivers.
The Passage Trilogy
Sword and citadel, shadow and claw
Gunslinger series
Seveneves
Anathem
Tropic of Kansas
Some of my favs and recents

[Jim]

Timothy wrote: "I'm a huge fan on the genre. That said....given all the fawning reviews of this book, I began reading it with much anticipation.
Boy...was I disappointed! I rarely dnf a book, especially in this ge..."

I was disappointed as well. expected much more.

[KB]

It saddens me to read anyone was disappointed by this story. I thought it was beautiful. Ms Mandel has a gift. The way she wove all those stories into one, fluid journey, spanning all that time with such ease was impressive. I recommend this all the time. This book is at the top of its class.

[Bee]

KB wrote: "It saddens me to read anyone was disappointed by this story. I thought it was beautiful. Ms Mandel has a gift. The way she wove all those stories into one, fluid journey, spanning all that time wit..."

I completely agree. I thought this book was breathtakingly beautiful and the story and writing style was so unique. It really was amazing how the author weaved everything together so seamlessly.