This is a weird book to have on the list because it’s a weird book to describe. This book follows a cast of characters who are incredibly different from each other. We also follow different timelines, both historical and futuristic that are all somehow connected.
Emily St. John Mandel has a way of writing books that have readers feeling like they’re just barely brushing a main theme or meaning behind the plot and also somehow, simultaneously deep diving into our society, the past and future, in a way that inspires some pretty deep existential thoughts.
Spring to me is a shift in time. We go from cold to warm, and somehow, with the passing of time, our lives change so tremendously. We get more hopeful, we get more active, we make new plans, and plan to do things that we don’t in the colder months. This passing of time and this transition from the past of cold winters to the future of bright spring days felt very reminiscent of how Emily St. John played with the concept of time in this book.
From the two Austen books I’ve read so far, “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma”, “Emma” screams cottage core. This was a much faster and easy read and was full of day time outings and dances, balls, and village drama. It had the lightness of a spring romp but also the freshness of a subtle, yet, beautiful romance that Austen knows how to do so well. This is a nice, light book to read if you’re looking for a classic.
I highly suggest watching the 2020, EMMA movie after finishing this book. It’s a fairly accurate adaptation and the scenery, the shots, the music, is all blooming with the loveliness of Spring.
Wow, this was a book that really surprised me. This is a fictional biographical book of Mary Mary Wollstonecraft. This book was full of beautiful writing and metaphors that match the lyrical aesthetic of of Spring. This book follows Mary from when she was a little girl to when she’s a woman, a mother, and a wife. The way this book novelized all that MaryMary Wollstonecraft fought for, stood for, and wrote about during some of history’s biggest revolutions was so inspiring. Young Mary really gave off “Anne With an E” vibes. I have this is a Spring recommendation because I think that it’s always good to start off the season of new beginnings with a book that’s inspiring and memorable. And a book that’s full of beautiful, naturalistic metaphors and poetic quotes .