Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel, written during the COVID-19 pandemic and published in 2022, is a science fiction novel that follows time traveler Gaspery-Jacques Roberts as he investigates an anomaly that links characters from different eras: Edwin St. John St. Andrew in 1912, Mirella Kessler in 2020, Olive Llewellyn in 2203, and events in 2401, leading to an exploration of time, reality, and interconnected lives.

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel offers a poignant exploration of time travel and human connection. Praised for its lyrical prose and complex narrative, the novel captivates yet can feel disjointed due to its ambitious structure. Fans of Mandel's previous works will appreciate the thematic depth, though some may find the pacing uneven.

Readers who enjoy intricate, multi-layered narratives and speculative fiction will find Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel compelling. Fans of David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas and Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife will appreciate the novel's exploration of time, parallel universes, and rich character development.

Mysterious / Contemplative / Bittersweet / Fantastical / Emotional

Emily St. John Mandel

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore Sea of Tranquility reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Sea of Tranquility | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore Sea of Tranquility and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Sea of Tranquility Summary and Study Guide

Background

Sea of Tranquility Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Remittance/1912”

Part 1 Sea of Tranquility Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Mirella and Vincent/2020”

Part 2 Sea of Tranquility Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Last Book Tour on Earth/2203”

Part 3 Sea of Tranquility Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Bad Chickens/2401”

Part 4 Sea of Tranquility Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Last Book Tour on Earth/2203”

Part 5 Sea of Tranquility Part 5 Summary & Analysis

Part 6: “Mirella and Vincent/file corruption”

Part 6 Sea of Tranquility Part 6 Summary & Analysis

Part 7: “Remittance/1918, 1990, 2008”

Part 7 Sea of Tranquility Part 7 Summary & Analysis

Part 8: “Anomaly”

Part 8 Sea of Tranquility Part 8 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Sea of Tranquility Character Analysis

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Themes

Sea of Tranquility Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Sea of Tranquility Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Sea of Tranquility Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Sea of Tranquility Essay Topics

Sea of Tranquility

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Sea of Tranquility?

Reading Age

Book Details