Adult Fiction
Reviewed by Cynthia from the Altona Branch
In a library there sits a book that has never been checked out. One day, the book is found by Zach, who finds himself wondering at the mysterious stories contained within. However, this book, through no fault of its own, brings Zach trouble, and, along the way, he learns that the stories from the book might not be so fictional after all.
"Not all stories speak to all listeners, but all listeners can find a story that does, somewhere, sometime. In on form or another."
-Erin Morgenstern, The Starless Sea
The Starless Sea is a book filled with whimsical tales, and as such, is written in a whimsical manner. The stories from the book within the book are written in between the chapters of the main story, which is told from Zach's point of view. I enjoyed this because it made the stories less bland and more alive. The stories popped out of the book and danced on the pages. However, this also makes the book come across as somewhat cryptic. The mysterious stories from the book combined with Zach's lack of knowledge about the situation creates a confusing tale at first, but, as the chapters go on, things begin to become clearer. I found it very rewarding to get to the end of the book and have everything make sense.
Since this book is driven mostly from Zach's inner thoughts and the stories told in between, Zach doesn't interact with many other characters. If you prefer dialogue heavy books, this might be a tough read for you. Overall, The Starless Sea is a story built up of smaller stories, woven together to create a mystifying narrative. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and mystery.
If you've already read The Starless Sea or are just looking for something similar, here are some more books you can check out. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow, The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman.
To put The Starless Sea on hold, click here.
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