[fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Kirsten Raymonde is a child actor in Toronto when the famous Shakespearean actor Arthur Leander gives her two beautifully drawn, limited edition, “Station Eleven” comic books. Minutes later he has a heart attack and dies on stage; and a couple weeks later, a devastating pandemic ends civilization as we have known it. Only one in thousands survive the Georgia Flu.

Fifteen years later, Kirsten is part of “The Traveling Symphony,” a small group of actors and musicians, who walk from one tiny settlement of survivors to another, fighting off bandits and trying to avoid crazy people. They seek to keep the arts alive “Because Survival is Insufficient.”

Much of the Symphony’s circuit is in Michigan, where they travel through interesting places like New Alpena, East Jordan, and the strangely named St. Deborah by the Water (which I think might actually be Ludington). While attempting to leave St. Deborah, a violent religious cult leader captures several members of the troupe. Their only hope may be to make it further south to the mysterious “Museum of Civilization.”

The book moves back and forth in time, telling stories of other survivors before and after the pandemic. But, in the end, there is a strange twist of fate that connects all the stories.

I really liked this book and I think you will too. Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of Shakespeare. His work only plays a bit part in these tales. I listened to Station Eleven on audio, which was very helpful in keeping the large cast of characters straight.
It’s always interesting to see how survivors cope in a post-apocalyptic novel and the Michigan background was fascinating, but the twist at the end was outstanding. I didn’t see it coming!

Author Emily St. John Mandel won the 2015 Arthur C. Clarke Award for Best Novel for this book. She also is a Michigan Notable Author and has been a National Book Award Finalist.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]