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54 pages 1 hour read

Sea of Tranquility

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Book Brief

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Emily St. John Mandel

Sea of Tranquility

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Moon Colony • 2400s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, written during the COVID-19 pandemic and published in 2022, is a science fiction novel that follows time traveler Gaspery-Jacques Roberts as he investigates an anomaly that links characters from different eras: Edwin St. John St. Andrew in 1912, Mirella Kessler in 2020, Olive Llewellyn in 2203, and events in 2401, leading to an exploration of time, reality, and interconnected lives.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Fantastical

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.2

283,139 ratings

78%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel offers a poignant exploration of time travel and human connection. Praised for its lyrical prose and complex narrative, the novel captivates yet can feel disjointed due to its ambitious structure. Fans of Mandel's previous works will appreciate the thematic depth, though some may find the pacing uneven.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Sea of Tranquility?

Readers who enjoy intricate, multi-layered narratives and speculative fiction will find Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel compelling. Fans of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife will appreciate the novel's exploration of time, parallel universes, and rich character development.

4.2

283,139 ratings

78%

Loved it

18%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Gaspery-Jacques Roberts

Gaspery is the central character in *Sea of Tranquility*, a time traveler appearing throughout the novel. He uses various disguises, such as a priest and a journalist, often giving away his identity with his odd accent. Raised in Night City on the second moon colony, Gaspery becomes passionate about investigating an anomaly after moving to Colony One. His encounters with Olive Llewellyn lead him to break the rules of the Time Institute.

Edwin is an Englishman exiled to Canada by his family for his anti-colonialist views. Living in 1912, he experiences an anomaly that changes the course of his life. After meeting Gaspery, Edwin serves in the war, facing various personal losses. Gaspery intervenes in his life to improve his circumstances during his final days.

Olive, living in 2203, is a successful novelist whose work, *Marienbad*, reinforces themes in *Sea of Tranquility*. Her experience with a pandemic during a book tour influences Gaspery to break the Time Institute's rules. Throughout her journey, Olive grapples with homesickness and gains a new perspective on the contrast between Earth and her home on Colony Two.

Mirella and Vincent live during the 2000s and are linked through their husbands, both entangled in a Ponzi scheme. Mirella's search for answers about Vincent's involvement leads her to witness an anomaly related to Gaspery's future. Vincent drastically changes her appearance after her husband's criminal activities, highlighting themes of disguise and identity.

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Moon Colony • 2400s

Publication Year

2022

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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