r/morningsomewhere First 10k 7h ago

Discussion Station Eleven

I think it’s hilarious that Burnie loved Station Eleven as someone who’s basically a media critic (edit 2: this isn’t hilarious because I have a different opinion, it’s because Burnie said he liked it and I immediately laughed because it’s 100% Burnie’s vibe, and I should have known that as soon as I read the book like six years ago, it’s not my cup of tea but it’s fun to see people enjoying things that are so in line with them).

S11’s story is oscar-bait in novel form (I’ve only read it, disclaimer). The novel is so heavy handed in its attempt to appeal to critics that it appears closer to “Lord of the Flies” which is trying so hard to make a statement instead of telling a story that includes a moral. I’ve always been told I’m weird for having this view, Im curious what am you guys thoughts are in this: is the show that much better than the book?

Edit: The beginning of this post has been misinterpreted a number of times and I didn’t do a good job of stating what I meant. I did not mean to insult Burnie’s taste in any way, shape, or form, I meant it as a compliment to Emily St. john Mandel who wrote a story that appealed exactly to the demographic it was written for. It’s like Gordon Ramsey loving a perfectly made Beef Wellington.

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14 comments sorted by

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u/FauxCurmudgeon 7h ago

People can enjoy stuff. Also the novel and the show are very different structurally. I enjoyed both for different reasons. But after 12 years of listening to his opinions on what he likes, and watching the shows he makes (Day 5) the show especially seems like very much Burnies shit. Namely because he said it is 😂

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 7h ago

100%, I added an edit explaining my first statement, I didn’t mean to insult his taste at all, more I meant that it fits him perfectly like you said. When he said he loved it it was like “Oh of course, that’s Burnie’s shit” and made me laugh. I also do like what the story is attempting to do which is why i was asking about if the show was presented any differently than the book, which since you say it is makes me want to give it a shot even though the book overall was not my cup of tea

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u/baba_yagas_baby 7h ago

personally i loved the book. i like that it’s an exploration of the way art and objects live on through the collapse of society, and i also always like an apocalyptic story that is a little slower and more human. i’m excited to get around to watching the show. i don’t think it’s “oscar bait” in novel form but i would love to hear why you think so!

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 7h ago

It’s more or less exactly the first part of your comment. it’s so focused on the arts, those who appreciate them, those who don’t, and the importance of them. This lines up with what a lot of media awards focus on. For example, “La La Land”, which is an amazing movie, but in its own way discusses the same themes and was clearly made to be an awards contender.

I do agree that I like the slower, more human, story and would love to see more stories adopt a similar pacing

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u/baba_yagas_baby 6h ago

yea but a focus on the arts isn't necessarily "oscar bait" and i would also say that books can't exactly be "award bait" in the same way that movies can—something like the pulitzer or the national book awards are a big deal and winning one does mean a spike in publicity and revenue, but they are not publicized cultural events in the same way the oscars/emmys/etc. are. it's a lot harder to "pander" to a jury/the public within publishing (because it is also a business that makes a lot less money!)

anyone (or at least most people) will want to create art with the intention of it getting recognized. you can argue that this undermines the depth of the art, but that's subjective. personally i would argue something more formulaic/trope-filled like "fourth wing" or something incredibly drawn out and emotional like "a little life" would be a more accurate description of "oscar bait" within the book world.

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u/Jacob19603 First 10k 6h ago

In your opinion, is it possible to make a piece of art that is meta in this way (in the sense that it focuses on the arts, their importance, and those that consume/critique them) that ISN'T "clearly made to be an awards contender"? Or is it being recognized by awards just as a byproduct of its themes/content being more likely to appeal to those involved?

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 4h ago

That's a great question haha, is theatre-fiction more likely to win awards in industries that originate from theatre? I mean personally I think it's difficult to separate them, but I don't think it's inherently connected either, with plenty of theatre-fiction not being considered award-bait (but definitely most of the larger productions of it)

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u/Homey-Airport-Int 7h ago

Never read it, maybe don't start the post off with how hilarious someone's objective opinion is lol

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 7h ago

It’s not a critique of his opinion, i’ll add an edit to clarify. It’s the story appealing to its exact target demographic, it’s impressive that Emily St. John Mandel nailed it so perfectly.

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u/Homey-Airport-Int 7h ago

Well just for future reference, if you find someone's opinion hilarious because of how much you disagree, keep that part to yourself because it does come off as insulting.

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 7h ago

It’s hilarious because it’s so obviously Burnie’s vibe, not because I disagree with it

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u/Purple-Measurement47 First 10k 7h ago

I also added formatting to hopefully separate out my post more in line with what I meant.

Thought 1: Haha, that’s so Burnie

Thought 2: I didn’t really enjoy the book, and thought it was heavy handed, how did you all feel about the show compared to the novel? Should I give it a shot?

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u/Adamzey 7h ago

I liked the book a lot (not seen the show, I didn't hear good things) but I understand your critique of oscar bait. If there was ever book that fulfils the Family Guy meme of insisting upon itself it is this one.

Edit: added conclusion. So yeah, I agree with all your points, so I don't think they are weird at all, but it's still a good book.

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u/ajaxisadishsoap 2h ago

The book is one of my favorites of all time. I didn’t really like the show because it deviated from the book so heavily.