Station Eleven Summary

The world is devastated by a lethal flu pandemic known as "the collapse", wiping out a significant portion of the global population. This catastrophic event sets the backdrop for the intertwining stories of several characters, encompassing their lives before the outbreak and the subsequent two decades. The narrative frequently alters its temporal setting and focuses on different characters in each segment.

Arthur Leander, a native of a Canadian island, moves to Toronto in pursuit of a thrilling life and becomes a renowned actor. His life intertwines with Miranda Carroll, another islander, and Clark Thompson, his best friend. After Arthur's marriage to Miranda disintegrates due to his infidelity, his life takes several turns that include a second marriage, a son, a third marriage, and a heart attack whilst performing on stage. Miranda, Arthur's ex-wife, pours her heart into a comic book, Dr. Eleven, and Jeevan Chaudhary, a paparazzo turned journalist, forms a bond with Arthur. After Arthur's sudden death, Jeevan devotes his life to help others as a paramedic. He is one of the first to learn about the arrival of the deadly Georgia Flu in North America.

In the post-collapse world, survivors grapple with their new reality. Arthur's ex-wife Elizabeth, their son Tyler, and Clark are stranded at an airport when the flu strikes, and over time, Clark establishes a Museum of Civilization within the confines of the airport. Jeevan finds refuge in a settlement called McKinley and starts a family. Kirsten, a child actress who had worked with Arthur, becomes part of the Traveling Symphony, an orchestra performing Shakespearean plays. The group has to confront a religious fanatic known as the Prophet while trying to escape a town. In a twist, the Prophet is revealed to be Tyler, Arthur's son. After the Prophet's death, the surviving members of the Symphony find solace at the airport museum. They discover a glimmer of hope for the future when they spot a town with electricity in the distance.