Week 7 - Science Fiction Annotation

Emily St. John Mandel 

Station Eleven: A Novel 

Knopf, 2014.

Synopsis

A deadly strain of flu comes out of Eastern Europe. International travel leads to its rapid global spread.  At the same time as the flu impacts Toronto, Arthur dies of a heart attack while on stage performing King Lear.  King Lear is a tragedy. Arthur’s death is a tragedy.  The collapse of civilization is a tragedy.  The story follows six people who are connected to Arthur in some manner: the paramedic who attempted to revive Arthur on stage, former spouses, Arthur’s son, child actor who shared the stage with Arthur; and a lifelong friend.  The story line jumps from present to past to 20 years beyond The Collapse. The novel leads us to imagine what life may be like with a worldwide tragedy.  In such a world what role does community, the arts, and religion play?

Book Read ALikes

Margaret Atwood – The Year of the Flood

Laura Van Den Berg – Find Me

Peter Heller – The Dog Stars

Stephen King – The Stand

Chang-rae Lee – On Such a Full Sea

Additional Author Read Alikes

Kate Atkinson

Margaret Atwood

Nalo Hopkinson

David Mitchell

John Scalzi

Characteristics of Science Fiction:

Science Fiction asks the “what if” questions.  Ideas are explored. The stories are often oriented to the future. They may include other life forms and worlds. Through the characters and events the stories engage social, moral, and ethical questions.  Ambiguity is often a significant part of the story.  Conflicts do not have tidy yes or no, right or wrong, answers and resolutions.  The setting of the story is an integral part of the questions that are addressed.