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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
This is a hard one to rate. First, VanderMeer’s writing is beautiful and he is one of my favorite writers. That being said, this book could have been a lot shorter. There is a lot of world building and explanation of the post apocalyptic world Rachel and Borne live in. The characters themselves don’t get too much interaction either (I wanted more). That being said, I ended up very invested in the ending of the book and I will be reading the second book in the series.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reread 9/30/18
Not only holds up, but surpasses original enjoyment in the reread. Added a 4th star.
Original Review
Have you ever finished a book, and immediately felt like you needed to reread it? Even after sleeping on this one, I'm not quite sure how to frame my response. Whole sections stick in my mind like bright lights, but the passages between them were tedious. I think that a reread might lead to greater appreciation for those sections, but I'm not sure.
Borne is weird. From the giant, flying, psychotic bear Mord to the technicolor eco-nightmare setting, the reader is off balance from the start. Many setting details go unexplained, from the generically named Company to the city itself... but the vague construction is ultimately inconsequential to the plot. It doesn't matter how the city came to be in its current state. It doesn't matter how any of it works; it's all just backdrop.
The focus of the story is on relationships and what it means to be a person. The narrative orbits only a few characters: Rachel and Borne, Rachel and Wick, with the Company, Mord, and the Magician on the outskirts as ever-present menace.
By far, the most powerful theme is that of the parent/child relationship between Rachel and Borne, confused as it is by Borne's inescapably alien nature. These were the sections that kept me reading, and that stick in my memory now that the book is done.
Downsides: The pacing is not great. In addition, VanderMeer writes his characters distantly, which is especially jarring in a first-person narrative. More than once, something horrible would happen, and I'd have to pause and reread because the way the event was written diminished its overall impact. But perhaps even that was apropos. The soul of this book is in Borne, the monster that Rachel raised, and loved despite its alien nature.
Final note: "Borne" is the past participle of "to bear," and although the verb "to bear" and the noun "bear" are not etymologically related, they are homophones, and I appreciate the linkage. (I refuse to believe that it was an accident.)
Not only holds up, but surpasses original enjoyment in the reread. Added a 4th star.
Original Review
Have you ever finished a book, and immediately felt like you needed to reread it? Even after sleeping on this one, I'm not quite sure how to frame my response. Whole sections stick in my mind like bright lights, but the passages between them were tedious. I think that a reread might lead to greater appreciation for those sections, but I'm not sure.
Borne is weird. From the giant, flying, psychotic bear Mord to the technicolor eco-nightmare setting, the reader is off balance from the start. Many setting details go unexplained, from the generically named Company to the city itself... but the vague construction is ultimately inconsequential to the plot. It doesn't matter how the city came to be in its current state. It doesn't matter how any of it works; it's all just backdrop.
The focus of the story is on relationships and what it means to be a person. The narrative orbits only a few characters: Rachel and Borne, Rachel and Wick, with the Company, Mord, and the Magician on the outskirts as ever-present menace.
By far, the most powerful theme is that of the parent/child relationship between Rachel and Borne, confused as it is by Borne's inescapably alien nature. These were the sections that kept me reading, and that stick in my memory now that the book is done.
Downsides: The pacing is not great. In addition, VanderMeer writes his characters distantly, which is especially jarring in a first-person narrative. More than once, something horrible would happen, and I'd have to pause and reread because the way the event was written diminished its overall impact. But perhaps even that was apropos. The soul of this book is in Borne, the monster that Rachel raised, and loved despite its alien nature.
Final note: "Borne" is the past participle of "to bear," and although the verb "to bear" and the noun "bear" are not etymologically related, they are homophones, and I appreciate the linkage. (I refuse to believe that it was an accident.)
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I can’t believe I forgot so much from my 2019 read. It was fantastic and UNBELIEVABLY timely. Loved it
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok, j’ai adoré ce livre. Il se passe dans le même univers que Dead Astronauts (dont il est le préquel, j’ai juste lu les livres dans le mauvais ordre, classique), que j’avais déjà adoré. Nous suivons Rachel, essayant de survivre dans une ville sans nom, dévastée par la Compagnie, accompagnée d’un homme mystérieux nommé Wick. Un jour, elle trouve un petit être étrange, qu’elle appelle Borne, qui possède d’étranges capacités.
Encore une fois, le style de VanderMeer est un des plus uniques qu’il m’ai été donné de lire. Une narration éclatée, des personnages à mi-chemin entre la réalité et le rêve, une histoire d’apparence simple mais en fait très complexe … Je ne vais pas trop en dire, car ce livre se vit. Je n’ai juste pas pu le lâcher tellement il m’a happé dans son histoire, et c’est un de mes gros coup de coeur de ces derniers temps. Jeff va devenir un de mes petits préférés très vite à ce rythme ! Vraiment, tentez. C’est particulier, certes, mais ça vaut vraiment le détour.
Ok, I love this book. It unfolds in the same universe than Dead Astronauts (it’s the prequel, I just read the books in the wrong order, classic stuff), that I already adored. We are following Rachel, who tries to survive in an unnamed city, devastated by the Company, and along with a mysterious man called Wick. One day, she finds a weird little creature, whom she calls Borne, and who has some strange abilities.
Again, VanderMeer’s style is one of the most unique one out there for me. A broken narrative , characters in between reality and dreams, an apparently simple yet very complex story … I won’t say much, because this book is to be lived. I just could not put it down, I was just too caught into its story, and it is one of my favourites lately. Jeff will for sure become one of my little faves ! Really, try it out. It’s special, yes, but it is worth it.
Encore une fois, le style de VanderMeer est un des plus uniques qu’il m’ai été donné de lire. Une narration éclatée, des personnages à mi-chemin entre la réalité et le rêve, une histoire d’apparence simple mais en fait très complexe … Je ne vais pas trop en dire, car ce livre se vit. Je n’ai juste pas pu le lâcher tellement il m’a happé dans son histoire, et c’est un de mes gros coup de coeur de ces derniers temps. Jeff va devenir un de mes petits préférés très vite à ce rythme ! Vraiment, tentez. C’est particulier, certes, mais ça vaut vraiment le détour.
Ok, I love this book. It unfolds in the same universe than Dead Astronauts (it’s the prequel, I just read the books in the wrong order, classic stuff), that I already adored. We are following Rachel, who tries to survive in an unnamed city, devastated by the Company, and along with a mysterious man called Wick. One day, she finds a weird little creature, whom she calls Borne, and who has some strange abilities.
Again, VanderMeer’s style is one of the most unique one out there for me. A broken narrative , characters in between reality and dreams, an apparently simple yet very complex story … I won’t say much, because this book is to be lived. I just could not put it down, I was just too caught into its story, and it is one of my favourites lately. Jeff will for sure become one of my little faves ! Really, try it out. It’s special, yes, but it is worth it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a wild book, completely unique from anything I’ve read yet. It’s vivid and complex and so full of emotions. There’s something nostalgic and sad about it while also being so pure and hopeful.
I’ve been in such a mood lately and this book was a perfect remedy. Borne is a story I’ll hold dear and reflect on for awhile.
I’ve been in such a mood lately and this book was a perfect remedy. Borne is a story I’ll hold dear and reflect on for awhile.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated