Station Eleven

I've always been a big sucker for post-apocalyptic books, so I've had this one on my list for a long, long time. It definitely didn't disappoint. The apocalyptic scenario itself wasn't particularly original or interesting– but that wasn't the focus of the story, and I'm glad that it wasn't, because at this point I've read so many post-apocalyptic books that the scenarios themselves don't interest me anymore.

What made this book so great, then? It's beautifully written. Instead of the usual adjectives I'd use to describe post-apocalyptic fiction (bleak, depressing, scary, fucked-up, horror-inducing, heartbreaking)– which, sure, all could be used for this book– I'd use different adjectives: optimistic. Uplifting. Hopeful. Survival is insufficient and the pursuit of beauty and art persist.

The character development was great and it also really made you appreciate our current life, and everything humanity has achieved.

After reading so many bleak and depressing and disturbing post-apocalyptic books, Station Eleven is very welcome indeed.