Seveneves

Seveneves

by Neal Stephenson

Listening to a 33-hour book is not always easy, but, in this case, I found a book that I can recommend to others.  The book Seveneves by Neil Stephenson was published in 2015 and has lots of references to recent technological advances (Snapchat, Twitter, etc.), so it’s relatable to many readers.  It is a pre- and post-apocalyptic story that relates to the end of Earth when the moon breaks into 7 pieces and heads to Earth in two years, which is expected to destroy everyone on the planet.  What I liked about the story is that the author took three stories and put it into one book, rather than book 1, 2 and 3.  The first part of the story revolves around the characters located in the space station, who are watching the situation unfold on earth while working to expand the space station. On the ground, scientists/astronomers along with political leaders are trying to plan for the end of Earth in just over 700 days.  Part two revolves around what happens when earth is destroyed and the space station is the only salvation for the human race (yes, there is a collection of egg and sperm in the space station to help with rebuilding civilization).  And part three looks 5,000 years into the future when earth becomes inhabitable again and details the story of the seven races (taken from the remaining seven women who made it on the space station and their descendants).  Parts one and two were great, full of fast-paced action, but part three dragged on with too many references to the various communities within earth and the Seveneves’ offspring.  The author did a great job scaring me with the reality he created…a phenomenal concept for how the world might end.  High marks for compelling characters and storyline, though, again, part three didn’t work for me too much.  You need to have a lot of time to read this one.  Harder to listen with so many characters being introduced throughout.