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Thomas's Reviews > Sea of Tranquility

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
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2018505
's review

it was ok
bookshelves: adult-fiction, fantasy, science-fiction

Okay not to be a Mean Mark but I literally don't know what happened in this novel. I got some sense that the prose is pretty, though none of the characters stood out to me, the time travel device didn’t convince me, and the plot didn’t gel together for me at all. I’m not being negative for the sake of it I just didn’t understand, and felt that it would take too much purposeful effort to try and understand.

I think my reviews have been more on the lukewarm to negative side in this latter half of 2022 which is sad. I hope to read more amazing books soon so I can fill my feed with positivity! Anyway, I’ll post my top ten books of 2022 on my blog sometime in the next few days, so stay tuned.
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Reading Progress

May 1, 2022 – Shelved
December 25, 2022 – Started Reading
December 28, 2022 – Finished Reading

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Comments Showing 1-14 of 14 (14 new)

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message 1: by ZeeMi (new)
Dec 28, 2022 05:44PM

ZeeMi Wait, you maybe mean latter half of 2022? Or like SJM are you writing us FROM THE FUTURE?!!


message 2: by Thomas (new) - rated it 2 stars
Dec 28, 2022 06:23PM

Thomas Great catch Michael!! I've revised it :)


message 3: by Vivek (new) - added it
Dec 28, 2022 09:16PM

Vivek Always appreciate an honest and thoughtful negative review - there are too many books on my TBR already!!


message 4: by KT (new)
Dec 29, 2022 04:26AM

KT Heres to hoping your 2023 reading goes better! Can’t wait to see your top 10 :)


message 5: by Rosa (new) - rated it 4 stars
Dec 29, 2022 12:21PM

Rosa Gudny Same! Such a letdown after Station Eleven.


message 6: by Emma (new)
Dec 29, 2022 04:01PM

Emma I can't resist the joke: luckily you're name is not Mark, so phieuw, no mean Mark here :D


message 7: by Thomas (new) - rated it 2 stars
Dec 30, 2022 06:15AM

Thomas Vivek wrote: "Always appreciate an honest and thoughtful negative review - there are too many books on my TBR already!!"

This is a great point and reframe, thank you Vivek!

KT wrote: "Heres to hoping your 2023 reading goes better! Can’t wait to see your top 10 :)"

Thanks so much, this is so sweet! It's coming up. :)

Rosa wrote: "Same! Such a letdown after Station Eleven."

Ok thank you for this validation. I read Station Eleven around a decade ago or so though yeah I remember liking that one much better.

Emma wrote: "I can't resist the joke: luckily you're name is not Mark, so phieuw, no mean Mark here :D"

Haha you're right, Emma!


message 8: by Liz (new)
Dec 30, 2022 09:34AM

Liz Yes—I have been bummed out for you that your book choices haven’t been satisfying. I didn’t have a great book year, either but just started A World Between on your recommendation. Like you, I love character driven stories that envelop me—I just finished I am, I am, I am on audiobook—didn’t want it to end but also couldn’t stop listening. Give the audiobook a try —you need some great books to end your year! Happy New Year!


message 9: by Thomas (new) - rated it 2 stars
Jan 01, 2023 07:18AM

Thomas Yesss so curious what you make of A World Between, Liz! I added I Am, I Am, I Am to my to-read list and will likely request it from the library. :) HNY.


message 10: by Liz (new)
Jan 01, 2023 07:34PM

Liz Thomas, I am about a third of the way through—at first, I thought that I was too old for this coming-of-age story (my daughters are college aged) but found it really interesting to read about Eleanor’s take on coming home after being at college (and my being of the age of her parents—experiencing that side of things as a parent). Just one example…I will tell you more after I finish it. It’s a little harder for me to get immersed in as I am having such a book hangover from I am, I am, I am…(get the audiobook!).


message 11: by Liz (new)
Jan 01, 2023 07:35PM

Liz I got the audiobook with my SF library card and Libby. HNY to you, too!


message 12: by Alicia (new) - rated it 5 stars
Jan 02, 2023 05:04PM

Alicia O I loved this book but i can totally see how someone else might not be super into it. the time travel concept for confusing but i thought it wrapped up in an interesting way. thomas i like that even when you didn’t enjoy a book, you’re still kind and respectful in your reviews


message 13: by Thomas (new) - rated it 2 stars
Jan 07, 2023 01:30PM

Thomas Liz wrote: "Thomas, I am about a third of the way through—at first, I thought that I was too old for this coming-of-age story (my daughters are college aged) but found it really interesting to read about Elean..."

So curious and interesting re: your thoughts on the book especially given your daughter's age and your own stage of life! I have I Am, I Am, I Am on my bookshelf; I picked it up from the library. :)

Alicia wrote: "I loved this book but i can totally see how someone else might not be super into it. the time travel concept for confusing but i thought it wrapped up in an interesting way. thomas i like that even..."

Yes I'm glad you could appreciate those aspects Alicia! And thank you for appreciating that - I try my best to be kind and respectful though I'm sure I can always improve (and also everyone plz ignore my reviews from my high school years lol).


message 14: by Ms.pegasus (new) - rated it 4 stars
Dec 16, 2023 09:36AM

Ms.pegasus Hope 2023 turned out to be a more fruitful reading year for you. We had exactly opposite reactions to this book, but I can appreciate your reaction. I didn't really start to love this book until almost he mid-point when the Gaspary-St. Jacques character takes center stage. Happy holidays! Pat


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