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Cover of Sea of Tranquility

Science fiction · Literary

Sea of Tranquility

by Emily St. John Mandel

4.0 out of 5, from 1,243 ratings from Hardcover readers

A strange moment of sound and light links an exile in 1912, a writer on a book tour in a plague-struck future and a detective on a Moon colony. A single mystery quietly connects them across centuries.

Facts last checked 2026-10-16

First published
2022
Pace
Medium
Length
Short
Pages
274
Format
Standalone
Borrow free with Libby Compare prices Save to my shelf

Read this if you like short, elegant, thoughtful novels that mix literary writing with a touch of time-travel puzzle.

Skip this if you want tight science-fiction mechanics, because the book cares more about mood and connection.

The feel

Content warnings

  • Pandemic
  • Death

Also reported by Hardcover readers:

  • Confinement
  • Grief
  • P
  • Emic/Epidemic

Quick answers about Sea of Tranquility

What is Sea of Tranquility about?
A strange moment of sound and light links an exile in 1912, a writer on a book tour in a plague-struck future and a detective on a Moon colony. A single mystery quietly connects them across centuries.
Who should read Sea of Tranquility?
Read it if you like short, elegant, thoughtful novels that mix literary writing with a touch of time-travel puzzle. Skip it if you want tight science-fiction mechanics, because the book cares more about mood and connection.
How long and how fast is Sea of Tranquility?
It is a medium-paced, short read of about 274 pages, first published in 2022.
Does Sea of Tranquility have content warnings?
Content we flag: Pandemic, Death.
Can I borrow Sea of Tranquility for free?
Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Sea of Tranquility; the borrow button above searches it for you.
What should I read after Sea of Tranquility?
Readers who liked it often move on to Station Eleven, The Midnight Library, Cloud Atlas.

Where to get it

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