The Starless Sea
Or possibly the most magical book I've ever read
I just finished reading The Starless Sea for the 3rd time and it was as magical as ever.
I got introduced to The Night Circus, and hence, Erin Morgenstern: the author of both these books, sometime around 2017-2018. While scrolling through my Pinterest, I came across this very intriguing pin that I actually wish I had saved so I could remember what it said xD
But whatever was on there, I was intrigued enough to look up The Night Circus and read it. I remember not feeling any sort of way about it at first like it was fine. But then I kept thinking about it. I kept remembering some scenes, some lines, and after a time I was like Idk man, that book was kinda amazing.
So when I kept seeing The Starless Sea all over bookstagram when it was released and realized it was by the same author, I picked it up and again, felt the same, like what??? But the more I thought about it, the more things made sense and I fell in love with it.
I know many people feel like there’s no plot to the book but there’s a plot!! It’s not even subtle at all, Idk how people miss it but listen!! Even if it didn’t have a set-in-the-stone plot, I would still love it!! I legit feel like that “if x has no fans, I’m d*ad” meme about this book, okay?
This book has everything I like!! I was going to say except for the pace but I feel if certain pacing suits the vibe/writing style of the book then I don’t actually mind whatever pacing it is written in and honey-thick, slow-moving, dipped-in-starlight pace is what suits this book to a T.
I didn’t intend this to be a review but if this is your first time hearing about this book, this is all it has:
LGBTQIA+ rep which is very casual and I love!!
myths and fairytales. This book is honestly swimming in them and they’re definitely my most favorite part of the book!! *chef’s kiss* Also all the bonus points in the whole wide world for the fact that I haven’t heard a single one of the fairytales before!! I believe they’re all original and I’m just in awe of how much creativity it must take to create so many fairy tales from scratch that sound as real as the cold my fingers are currently feeling.
multiple POVs and interludes.
books within books. Idk about you but I love this a normal amount. *ahem screaming internally*
things lost in time
Reading this book is an experience of the best kind, if it’s your cup of tea of course. I love reading books where everything slowly comes together, it makes me feel involved, it makes me feel like I’m in the story, you know?
Here’s an excerpt from it which I read yesterday and found so relatable, that I felt like crying ahaha:
“He tells her about moving from place to place to place and never feeling like he ever belonged in any of them, how wherever he was he would almost always rather be someplace else, preferably somewhere fictional.
He tells her how he worries that none of it means anything. That none of it is important. That who he is, or who he thinks he is, is just a collection of references to other people’s art and he is so focused on story and meaning and structure that he wants his world to have all of it neatly laid out and it never, ever does and he fears it never will.
He tells her things he has never told anyone.
About the man who broke his heart in such a long, drawn out process that he couldn’t discern hurt from love and how whenever he tries to sort out how he feels now long after the end of it the feeling is just a void.”
As someone who feels like their heart is breaking still, that hurt. That hurt a lot.
Here’s a shot of the book I took more than a month ago. Wow, it took me quite a while to finish this book.
I keep trying to articulate why Erin Morgenstern books have such a hold on me and, failing. The easiest answer is they’re magical. The hardest answer is probably that the worlds in both her books have felt like home to me. They’ve felt like places I would like to immerse myself into and never resurface. Be the man lost in time, if you may. That would be pretty great, especially if it were The Starless Sea. What wouldn't I give to live underground where a sentient Kitchen sends me nice things to eat whenever I want and there is no limit to books and reading nooks? Everything, to be very honest.
I might just pick up The Night Circus next but life is calling. I sometimes wish it would lose my number and leave me the f*ck alone. :’)
Sending hugs to whoever needs them. We’ll get through this. Currently pondering whether to combine November and December update posts or not. I guess y’all will find out haha. Until then, stay magical <3