Good Morning, Midnight

A Novel

By: Lily Brooks-Dalton

Narrated by: John H. Mayer, Hillary Huber

Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

“A remarkable and gifted debut novel” (Colson Whitehead) about two outsiders—a lonely scientist in the Arctic and an astronaut trying to return to Earth—as they grapple with love, regret, and survival in a world transformed.

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NETFLIX ORIGINAL FILM THE MIDNIGHT SKY, DIRECTED BY AND STARRING GEORGE CLOONEY

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, news of a catastrophic event arrives. 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 that 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 crewmates 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? Lily Brooks-Dalton’s captivating debut is a meditation on the power of love and the bravery of the human heart.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY SHELF AWARENESS AND THE CHICAGO REVIEW OF BOOKS

“Stunningly gorgeous . . . The book contemplates the biggest questions—What is left at the end of the world? What is the impact of a life’s work?”—Portland Mercury

“A beautifully written, sparse post-apocalyptic novel that explores memory, loss and identity . . . Fans of Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven and Kim Stanley Robinson’s Aurora will appreciate the Brooks-Dalton’s exquisite exploration of relationships in extreme environments.”—The Washington Post

©2016 Lily Brooks-Dalton (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

" Good Morning, Midnight is a remarkable and gifted debut novel. Lily Brooks-Dalton is an uncanny chronicler of desolate spaces, whether it's the cold expanse of the universe or the deepest recesses of the human heart." (Colson Whitehead)

"What does it mean to be isolated from the ordinariness of the everyday world, yet to find the extraordinariness of being close to another human being? With imagination, empathy, and insight into unchanged and unchangeable human nature, Lily Brooks-Dalton takes us on an emotional journey in this beautiful debut." (Yiyun Li)

"A truly original novel, otherworldly and profoundly human.... This beautiful story reminds us of our deep longing for connection - with those we love, with strangers, with ourselves. We come to understand that, across time and distance, in the face of isolation and emptiness, it is tenderness and communication that keep us tethered to each other. Good Morning, Midnight is a fascinating story, surprising and inspiring at every turn." (Keith Scribner)

Great Characters and story development.

I rspecially loved the insight into the past history and lives of the two main characters. Definetly a book that I was not teady to have end. I know it eas intential but certainly left the story hanging.

keeps you hooked

hooked but a bit disappointed about the end. Otherwise narrators were good and writting is great. Hope theres a sequeal to answer a few qurstions!

Loved it

I loved it. I cried at the end, only two other books have had that effect. Beautiful character development and exploration.

no ending!

I really liked the idea of this book, but left with no resolution. very frustrating

First Audio Kept My Attention!

Great first audible! I liked the switching of man and woman's voices for each chapter.

Resolution?

Overall I was so happy with this book. I loved the pace at which it was read, it was a very interesting story, and the details were impeccable. However, I was not satisfied with the end. There was no resolution. Everything else was perfect.

Just Awesome.

This book is more about language and metaphors than about an apocalypse, and in only the very best ways. Dont expect a lot of "how it happened" info. Just read (listen) and enjoy the authors wonderful way of making words paint pictures.

Had a lot of promise, and let down.

The subject was fascinating, lots of potential, and characters were developed well, but you spend the whole book waiting for something to happen to either of the maon characters, and just when it seems it's about to... the book just abruptly ends. It seems as though maybe the author was planning a sequel? Quite disappointing and a let down.

I didn’t see the end coming

Lily Brooks-Dalton has such a take on dystopian novels that I never quite know what I’m going to get. She is becoming an author I’ll try just because her name is on a book. I loved this book. I’m so happy I own it so I can read it again in time.

Good

I enjoyed the book but not the ending. Very disappointed in the "ending". It could have had so much more!