On this episode of Book Club Date, we're exploring The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. We'll be sharing our review, detailed discussion, and reactions to comments by the author and some community reviews so that you can decide if you should read The Starless Sea. Whether you're a fan of The Night Circus, a lover of magical realism, or just want to join in a conversation about The Starless Sea, this book club will give you a fun his and hers perspective.
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Let us know in the comments what you thought of The Starless Sea and if you have any book suggestions for future episodes.
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Links:
Purchase the Book:
Book: https://amzn.to/3YNt0A5
Author: https://erinmorgenstern.com/the-starl...
Plot Summary : https://the-bibliofile.com/the-starle...
Video Equipment:
Music Library https://share.epidemicsound.com/fn9nfjhttps://amzn.to/3XveNVK - M1 Mac Book Pro (aff link)
https://amzn.to/43aJsZz - Canon R5C (aff link)
https://amzn.to/43Z4jQW - Canon EF lens 24 - 70mm (aff link)
https://amzn.to/3XuhBSY - DJI Mic Kit (aff link)
Mic Option 2: https://amzn.to/3IHlQ7p (aff link)
Articulating Arm 2: https://amzn.to/3VtdIyL (aff link)
Discussion Questions:
1. Did you feel that the goal was more of a “vibe”, does Erin write at a high level? Or did she just miss the mark for you?
2. We have two love stories. Time and Fate aka The Keeper and Mirabel. And, Zach and Dorian. Did these love stories work? Believable, was one more interesting than the other?
3. The dialogue is rather modern. But the descriptions are abstract. How would you describe the style of writing?
4. “Not all stories speak to all listeners, but all listeners can find a story that does, somewhere, sometime. In one form or another.” Did this story speak to you?
5. Is Allegra the closest thing that can be considered an antagonist? Other than her. Who is the antagonist? Besides Allegra. Who/what else is an antagonist?
6. Mirabel aka fate indicates that she doesn’t force people in any one direction. She just literally presents options to them. “She is young enough to carry fear with her without letting it into her heart. Without being scared. She wears her fear lightly, like a veil, aware that there are dangers but letting the crackling awareness hover around her. It does not sink in, it buzzes in excitement like a swarm of invisible bees.” In the case of Zachary, what do you think happens if he opens that door when he is a child? Would it be similar to the Girl in the forest aka Eleanor?
7. “Each of us has our own path, Mister Rawlins. Symbols are for interpretation, not definition.” This is a story of symbols. What do you think the bee, key, and sword meant?
8. What kind of stories would you seek out in the starless sea?
9. “Zachary takes the folded-paper star from his pocket. He turns it over in his hand, letting it dance over his fingers. He hasn’t read it. Not yet. The owl hoots at him. The son of the fortune-teller tosses the paper star with his future inscribed upon it into the campfire. The flames consume it, charring and curling the paper until it is no longer a star, the words it once contained lost and gone forever.” Why did Zach burn the paper?
10. “I remember the space more than the story that went with it but I think the story part had to do with this hidden kingdom being a temporary space.” Will you remember this story? Or is it itself temporary?
11. Who would you recommend this book to?
Timestamps:
Intro - 00:00
Spoiler Free Review - 1:32
Plot and Character Summary - 3:37
Discussion Questions - 30:55
Author’s Take - 01:01:33
Community Review - 01:25:09
