thecriticalreader 's review for:

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer

1.75

challenging dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Authority by Jeff VanderMeer has some scintillating moments and a deeper message, but these positive elements do not make the Kafkaesque reading experience any more enjoyable. 

 

I struggled through Annihilation but eventually came to acknowledge its genius. I was looking forward to readingAuthority because I find bureaucracy and office politics to be more fascinating than a natural setting; I thought the book might explore the limitations of how administrations respond to and understand natural phenomena. And at its core, this is what Authority explores. We follow a protagonist (ironically called “Control”) who inherits the Southern Reach directorship in the aftermath of the events of Annihilation. We watch as he turns around in circles trying to get any foothold of understanding about his organization and the phenomenon known as Area X it claims to study. The reading experience is murky, confusing, and frustrating. Probably intentionally so. But I felt that my frustration and boredom prevented me from appreciating at what VanderMeer is trying to say through this book. 

 

To be clear, I recognize the intelligence and unique perspective behind Authority. There is also one incredible scene of horror toward the end that almost—but not quite—makes the slog of this read worth it. Ultimately, however, Authority has made me realize that this series isn’t quite to my taste, and I don’t plan on completing the trilogy.