Good Morning, Midnight

Paperback, 272 pages

English language

Published July 4, 2017 by Random House.

ISBN:: 978-0-8129-8819-2
ASIN:: 0812998898

(1 review)

Augustine, a brilliant, aging astronomer, is consumed by the stars. For years he has lived in remote outposts, studying the sky for evidence of how the universe began. At his latest posting, in a research center in the Arctic, rumors of war arrive. The scientists are forced to evacuate, but Augustine stubbornly refuses to abandon his work. Shortly after the others have gone, Augustine discovers a mysterious child, Iris, and realizes the airwaves have gone silent. They are alone.

At the same time, Mission Specialist Sullivan is aboard the Aether on its return flight from Jupiter. The astronauts are the first human beings to delve this deep into space, and Sully has made peace with the sacrifices required of her: a daughter left behind, a marriage ended. So far the journey has been a success, but when Mission Control falls inexplicably silent, Sully and her crew mates are forced to …

Augustine, a brilliant, aging astronomer, is consumed by the stars. For years he has lived in remote outposts, studying the sky for evidence of how the universe began. At his latest posting, in a research center in the Arctic, rumors of war arrive. The scientists are forced to evacuate, but Augustine stubbornly refuses to abandon his work. Shortly after the others have gone, Augustine discovers a mysterious child, Iris, and realizes the airwaves have gone silent. They are alone.

At the same time, Mission Specialist Sullivan is aboard the Aether on its return flight from Jupiter. The astronauts are the first human beings to delve this deep into space, and Sully has made peace with the sacrifices required of her: a daughter left behind, a marriage ended. So far the journey has been a success, but when Mission Control falls inexplicably silent, Sully and her crew mates are forced to wonder if they will ever get home.

As Augustine and Sully each face an uncertain future against forbidding yet beautiful landscapes, their stories gradually intertwine in a profound and unexpected conclusion. In crystalline prose, Good Morning, Midnight poses the most important questions: What endures at the end of the world? How do we make sense of our lives?

2 editions

Thom reviewed Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Review of 'Good Morning, Midnight' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Read on the plane from Seattle to London, this book was hard to put down. Two story lines alternate chapters, neither directly covering the third - a complete blackout of communications across the globe. At times suspenseful, more often introspective.

The two plots involve an elderly scientist who declines to leave when an arctic research station is evacuated and the 6 person crew of a two year space mission returning to earth. Neither knows exactly what happened to cause a blackout of planet-wide communication, causing both to speculate. This is an examination of the way the two protagonists deal with profound loneliness. Their back stories and personalities are revealed through introspection.

Good Morning, Midnight is the first novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton, and while apocalyptic, is not particularly dystopian. Included in the back are questions for a book club discussion. Other reviewers have speculated on a connection with the Jean Rhys …

Read on the plane from Seattle to London, this book was hard to put down. Two story lines alternate chapters, neither directly covering the third - a complete blackout of communications across the globe. At times suspenseful, more often introspective.

The two plots involve an elderly scientist who declines to leave when an arctic research station is evacuated and the 6 person crew of a two year space mission returning to earth. Neither knows exactly what happened to cause a blackout of planet-wide communication, causing both to speculate. This is an examination of the way the two protagonists deal with profound loneliness. Their back stories and personalities are revealed through introspection.

Good Morning, Midnight is the first novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton, and while apocalyptic, is not particularly dystopian. Included in the back are questions for a book club discussion. Other reviewers have speculated on a connection with the Jean Rhys novel of the same title, and it is possible, with a character from the backstory named Jean. This is a solid 4 star novel.

Subjects

Fiction
Science Fiction
Post Apocalyptic
Speculative Fiction