The Starless Sea, Erin Morgenstern, Doubleday, 2019, 494 pp
This is not so much a review as it is a prose poem about what this book was to me. As maddening as it sometimes was, this is my kind of book and I loved it. A huge sprawling story about stories, it includes a land beneath the earth on the shores of a starless sea. A labyrinth filled with stories. Three young adult characters, just beyond their teenage years, searching for their destinies and longing for connection.
Doors, which may be anywhere, lead into this land. As she did in The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern, who seems to be made out of stories herself, created The Starless Sea out of her own longings. She certainly tapped into mine.
As I sat at my desk for hours trying to figure out how to write about this book and taking notes, I wrote: Stories, stories everywhere. The stories that are the life I've lived, the stories that run in my thoughts, the stories I've read, the stories I have dreamed but not yet lived.
If it took Erin Morgenstern years to arrange this magical novel into 494 pages, I think the best thing I can do is to encourage readers who long for books like this to just go ahead and read The Starless Sea. You will be whisked away from the horrors of today where you will meet characters dealing with their own troubles, finding their own pathways to their hearts' desires and braving their own inner demons.
These are timeless matters and now is a time to step back or step away for contemplation, to take a voyage on the Starless Sea. The news will still be bad when you return but you might be refreshed, ready to have another go at your own story.
I will give one of Morgenstern's stories a spin one of these days ... does sounds like a whisking far away which could be good right about now
ReplyDeleteWhisking...
DeleteNow I am more curious than ever to read this novel after reading your review of it.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that!
DeleteThis seems like a book to steel yourself against in anticipation of reading it! Perhaps it would be good to have a stiff drink at hand!
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, Zachary, the main character, is an imbiber of well-crafted cocktails!
DeleteI could use a good sweeping away for sure. I had this on hold and removed it so sounds like I should just purchase eBook or audible,
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan!
DeleteI enjoyed The Night Circus and loved the atmosphere Morgenstern created. I must read this book too - it does sound like a good way to escape from today's problems for a while!
ReplyDeleteYes! She did it again.
DeleteSounds as though you've found another winner.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was for me.
DeleteYeah, I need to read this one. I'm ready for a voyage on the Starless Sea!
ReplyDeleteI think you will love it. It has all the stuff you like and none of the stuff you don't.
DeleteI've heard a lot of good/interesting things about this novel. Sounds like something super difficult to categorise.... Might be my kind of book! [grin]
ReplyDeleteI wonder what you would think!
DeleteI’ve not read any of her books but I do like the idea of being transported away, if only for a few hours!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it. It will do that for you.
DeleteThank you for your comment. Good luck with your blog!
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