Book: Emily St. John Mandel's "Sea Of Tranquility"

After two mediocre books I finally found a good one.  Like "How High We Go in the Dark" I found this book in the Goodreads' best science fiction books of 2022.  Emily St. John Mandel's "Sea of Tranquility" was voted the best science fiction book of 2022 and, this time, Goodreads users were right.

This is the second Emily St. John Mandel book I've read.  The first, "Station Eleven", got a rare five stars from me so I had high hopes for her latest work.  Like "Station Eleven" this book is simple and understated and an interesting read.  The book weaves time travel and simulation theory together to create a really interesting read.

Now, I should note that I do not believe in the possibility of time travel.  I believe we will eventually discover that time travel into the past is not allowed by the laws of physics that govern our existence.  Having said this I always am able to suspend disbelief when I read a good time travel story.  Frankly, if you are a reader of any science fiction, suspension of disbelief is a mandatory skill.

The only fault I can find with this book is the use of simulation theory - the idea that we are living in a simulation.  After finishing the book I am still not sure why it was included in the story.  It seemed superfluous and unnecessary.

I gave the book four stars out of five on Goodreads.  I sometimes wish I could give half-stars since this one could have gotten four and a half stars.  It was nice to read something I actually enjoyed again.