reading notes: The Starless Sea (Part I)
I'm currently reading "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern. I think it could be fun to write down my thoughts as I read the book, since there seems to be a riddle element to the story. I've just finished Book II (Fortunes and Fables).
First, some general reading impressions: I was pretty sceptical of the novel at the end of Book I (Sweet Sorrows) and I think to some degree, I will continue to be. It exudes this bookish-twee kind of vibe that makes the text feel like it treats books, stories and reading as an aesthetic to wallow in without having much substance to it. "Isn't it amazing that we have stories, they are so magical, so meaningful, etc. pp." - okay, do you want to say anything specific, or are you just going to go on in this vague manner forever? The romanticisation is quite excessive. Also, I find the "relatable" and "quirky" dialogue writing to be almost unbearable. The long run-on sentences with something random lmao at the end, too. However, Part II managed to get me on board again a bit.
Reading Notes
- The "Pirate" and the "Girl" are both stated to be a metaphor and are lovers. Fate and Time?
- At some point, Time and Fate became entangled. The Stars didn't like that. They got the Parliament of Owls to discuss the matter. As a result, Fate was "removed" (killed by the Owls. The one who ate Fate's eyes became the Owl King. He can see the future). Only Fate's heart was saved, by a mouse.
- Sun and Moon meet sometimes in a place where the Stars can not see them. (Both Sun and Moon appear in the story about the tavernkeeper in personified form.)
- In the story of the sculptor, the Mouse from the Time and Fate story seems to appear in personified form as well. He has the Sculptor hide something in a box. Later, the Sculptor has her hands cut off by people (Stars?) who searched for the thing the mousy man hid (the Heart of Fate?)
- It appears that the "Stars" and the Owl King (whoever they are supposed to be / represent) are searching for and want to get rid of the last bit of Fate that's still left (why?)
- The Starless Sea is a hiding place (maybe an expanded version of the initial box the Sculptor made?).
- Guardians (one of the "Three Paths") have switched tactics and now want to "protect" the Starless Sea by removing every access route to it (the doors).
- There are also bees (mentioned in the Sculptor story and a few other places. No idea why they are relevant).
- One of the stories is about a Girl killing the Owl King, but apparently it's a cycle that repeats (there's always another Owl King).
Thoughts
- Stories (at least those in books) are written, and fate is said to be written, too. I suspect this parallel to have some relevance.
- "Stars" being opposed to "Fate" reminds me of Elden Ring (Ranni / the Age of Stars) a lot, which also ties into the "gaming" subtheme (?) of the book. But this book came out before Elden Ring, so it's probably a coincidence.
- Allegra the Guardian says something along the lines of the Starless Sea not being something "suitable" for the current times and mentions blogs, videos, tourism etc. This makes me think the "Stars" represent some sort of cold rationality that has crept into the world, threatening to remove every sense of romanticism, mystery, and secrecy. Could be some form of light societal critique. Or maybe it's a bit more philosophical and it's about the hubris of humans, wanting to get rid of (comfortable, but limiting) fate to craft their own futures, not knowing what price they pay for it or something like that.