Station Eleven, By Emily St. John Mandel

Paul Peppis Director of the University of Oregon Humanity Center, interviews Emily St. John Mandel. The U of O uses the book " Station Eleven " in its first year required reading course. The video is 27:27 minutes long. It was very interesting to hear her say that she wrote this book mostly in an attempt to not be pigeon holed as a crime writer, and that she wanted to honor the actors who act for the love of the art and not for the fame and money.      Mandel also comments on how she consciously wanted her post-apocalyptic world to not be a world of horror and depression. She believes that the idea of the Hollywood version of a horror filled world is unrealistic, and didn't wish to go down that road. She also chose a pandemic because she did not want her book to be political, she feels that by having the world end by a nuclear war it instantly becomes political, and it also dates the book.      Mandel also discusses why the symphony ...

An 11:39 minute interview conducted at the AWP Conference and Book Fair. The most interesting part of this interview is Mandel discussing the value of art on society. She discusses how throughout history, in every culture, we see forms of art. Music and plays are seen even in places like prisons and concentration camps. It's a way we keep our humanity.      They also discuss the dangers of false prophets and why we as a society allows such people to take power. Mandel points out how humans often need a reason for why things happen, and how that need allows warlords, prophets and their like to rise to power.

A three-minute interview where Mandel discusses the styles and influences behind her writing style in general and specifically in " Station Eleven ". The most interesting part of this talk for me was when Mandel speaks about how she tries to be subtle in her writing and leaves much of the story to the readers imagination. Much like Hemingway or McCarthy she feels that the reader gets more out of a story if they are free to fill in the blanks. In another interview I posted she talks about how McCarthy's " The Road ", actually inspired her to write " Station Eleven ".

     A 2:29 minute interview with Mandel talking about her writing and life style. She talks about the importance of writing every day and how " The Road " by Cormac McCarthy inspired her to try a post-apocalyptic novel. This video is a little oddly edited, but it was interesting to hear the author talk about how her writing style differs from other writers she knows, and how she tries to find balance in her life. I found it interesting that she has a part time job for a "break from writing".      The author makes an interesting comment on the technological world that we live in. She says that sometimes to examine something, you must imagine living with out it. I found this really interesting because we have all read stories that take place in a period or world where certain things are not available. Looking at an item from the perspective of not having access to it, makes you realize your true feeling for it. I found myself thinking wh...