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A novel split between uncanny spy craft and soldier-meets-cosmic-horror, this is a strong entry into Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach series. The story covers the events preceding the formation of Area X, and then leaps ahead to the ill-fated first mission into Area X.
The first portion of Absolution focuses largely around an aging spy who goes by Old Jim, who finds himself wrenched up from rock bottom by Central, the mysterious agency that employs him. He finds himself stationed in the remote Forgotten Coast, and soon finds himself subject to forces far outside his (or his employer’s) understanding. The descriptions of the rabbits in this portion are so deliciously creepy and unsettling, probably the highlight of the book for me.
The second portion follows Lowry, one of the members of the first mission into Area X. The latter segment of this section, which follows Lowry as the mission and his mind disintegrate, is fantastic. I do think the pre-mission lead up went on a little long for my taste, and Lowry’s POV felt somewhat forced at times — some of his internal monologue felt stilted, like the word choice and placement didn’t flow naturally. Once the action moves into Area X, however, things largely hit their stride, and the book concludes in predictably unsettling fashion.
Not my absolute favorite of his body of work, but this is undoubtedly a must-read for any fan of his other Southern Reach novels! A fun and creepy page-turner.
The first portion of Absolution focuses largely around an aging spy who goes by Old Jim, who finds himself wrenched up from rock bottom by Central, the mysterious agency that employs him. He finds himself stationed in the remote Forgotten Coast, and soon finds himself subject to forces far outside his (or his employer’s) understanding. The descriptions of the rabbits in this portion are so deliciously creepy and unsettling, probably the highlight of the book for me.
The second portion follows Lowry, one of the members of the first mission into Area X. The latter segment of this section, which follows Lowry as the mission and his mind disintegrate, is fantastic. I do think the pre-mission lead up went on a little long for my taste, and Lowry’s POV felt somewhat forced at times — some of his internal monologue felt stilted, like the word choice and placement didn’t flow naturally. Once the action moves into Area X, however, things largely hit their stride, and the book concludes in predictably unsettling fashion.
Not my absolute favorite of his body of work, but this is undoubtedly a must-read for any fan of his other Southern Reach novels! A fun and creepy page-turner.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've read all the Southern Reach books now - a series you have to keep reading. The books are so odd you can't help thinking they would be great Twilight Zone episodes. But dark and tense with bizarre scenes and weird endings.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
Jeff here could write 10 books about AreaX/Southern reach – and I would read them all!
He‘s my entry to weird fiction, just as G.G.Marquez was my entry to magical realism.
This book is divided into three parts, and oh how easy it would be to release 3 different books, make the font a little bigger, margins a little wider, scale the illustrations. It would be so easy to make more money from the same art. In today's publishing environment, I think Jeff Vandermeer had to stand his ground a lot to release one book, and I respect that!
I’m so excited to read his other books. A new author in my all-time favorites shelf!
He‘s my entry to weird fiction, just as G.G.Marquez was my entry to magical realism.
This book is divided into three parts, and oh how easy it would be to release 3 different books, make the font a little bigger, margins a little wider, scale the illustrations. It would be so easy to make more money from the same art. In today's publishing environment, I think Jeff Vandermeer had to stand his ground a lot to release one book, and I respect that!
I’m so excited to read his other books. A new author in my all-time favorites shelf!