Like a teacher you remember long after you have forgotten the name of the class, Station Eleven is the kind of book that, long after you have forgotten its name, will still make you think about the things that matter. It is a disjointed and slow novel that follows a handful of characters who experience the epidemic that destroys most of humanity and then have to survive it.

The recurring theme, [heavy-]handily painted on the side of the Traveling Symphony's caravan, is that Survival is insufficient. I struggle with post-apocalyptic books because I find myself constantly wondering what the point is. I'm not interested in reading about a bunch of characters who forage for food and die shortly after the book ends. The characters have to be really exemplary to make that work, and unfortunately this cast was largely bland. I really wanted to like this book, but it didn't say anything new.

The Stand starts really strong; the descriptions of the spread of the virus and the way people die is horrifying and perfectly timed. I don't like apocalyptic fiction as a rule, but the religious aspect added a nice touch that made me keep reading. I just felt like it started to track at 75% and the climax was too abrupt.

Fun, but I wish the stories were longer.

An insult to Lovecraftian lore.

Weird, creepy, kind of gross (okay, a lot gross). I liked that it was told as a story found by a man in another man's writings that were then followed up on and deciphered by the man who found them.

Spoiler

I also liked that you weren't totally sure that Bertrand was actually turning into a werewolf or was just crazy but then they found the dog's body in his coffin at the very end.

Every time I try to describe this novel, the words slip through my hands like they haven't been marked . . .

It's a mark of her skill that Tidbeck manages to make this ethereal story feel so fully realized and solid. It's a compelling and quick read, but definitely one that will stick with you.

It was very well-written, but I can't say I'm glad I read it. Sooooo depressing.

Spoiler

Everyone dies except the young girl getting raped by her own dad, so suffice it to say it was pretty fucked up.

Surprisingly spooky!