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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I loved the original trilogy, but I think this one added too many variables without solving enough previous mysteries. I really enjoyed the second part, but found my interest dragging during the first and third.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
This one was DENSE. Hard to really follow all the threads on this one. And honestly, after reading all manner of speculation online and allowing the story to settle in my mind, I feel so far from understanding what happened.
However, I did enjoy so much of it regardless. There were some genuinely strange things in this book and it was enjoyable even if I felt utterly lost.
However, I did enjoy so much of it regardless. There were some genuinely strange things in this book and it was enjoyable even if I felt utterly lost.
The first third was ok; the second third was solid; the last third was terrible from the start. I rarely do not finish a book but this was just not worth it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Tbh this was actually really good. He was kinda losing me with the 2nd and 3rd books but this made up for it
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolution was the surprise fourth instalment into the Southern Reach series that I did not expect but was very excited to hear about. Set as a prequel/related story to the original trilogy, this story is told in 3 volumes, all taking place prior to the events of Annihilation.
Rather than starring the memorable main characters of the original trilogy, Absolution was told from the POVs of characters we’ve previously met but not spent much time with, primarily Old Jim and Landry. In part 1, Old Jim reviews case files from a pre-Area X scientific expedition to the Forgotten Coast. In part 2 he shares his own experiences of the Forgotten Coast but with more elements of Control’s story from Authority. Finally in part 3 we take a sharp turn into the perspective of Landry, the hero of the Southern Reach who was the only expedition member to return unchanged.
My overall sentiment towards this book is love. I adore Vandermeer’s confusing yet emotional storytelling and I think his characters are pretty consistently remarkably strong. I enjoy being more than a little confused in a story, especially when that story uses the readers confusion to include strong plot elements that might have otherwise felt heavy handed. In this case, these elements are the kind of environmental horror and general climate fiction that Vandermeer often speaks to.
That being said, I do understand why this book has been kinda polarising amongst readers. This story lacked the cohesion of the other books in that we were told 3 main stories rather than just one, the characters were either outrageously unlikable, someone we spent too little time with, or characters whose fate we knew from previous books which coloured our desire to get to know them. Truthfully this was more like 3 smaller novellas crammed into a single volume and packaged as a story in and of itself which I think messed with reader expectations.
Personally this didn’t bother me. Even after all these years I am ravenous for anything remotely linked to Area X and the mysterious Southern Reach. I would gobble up anything from a one page scribble of notes to an 8-volume research report in case it gave me any more answers or insight into that mysterious place. I’m also someone who is a slut for a good character story and these were excellent.
Something I think also caught a lot of people off guard was the abrupt POV change going into part 3. Landry’s narration was… unique. And jarring. And vulgar beyond belief. All of which made for an alarming juxtaposition to Vendermeer’s normal purplish style of prose. But where it seems to have made other reviewers mad, I actually laughed out loud, almost to the point of tears (which was very dangerous whilst driving and listening to the audiobook). From the very first “fucking fuck shit fuck” I was gagged but I also think it was more than simply humorous - it gave a fascinating perspective of n the mind control work done by the Southern Reach, as well as an insight into an individual we already knew to be rather unhinged.
I freely acknowledge that this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, even if they enjoyed the original trilogy, but I know it has an audience and I highly encourage people to give it a go.
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No