Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jimmehgeebs 's review for:
Absolution
by Jeff VanderMeer
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Vandermeer dives back into Area X with new prequel-esque coverage of the Southern Reach and its expeditions. Old Jim's story overall was compelling and surprisingly emotional. The third act, as many have said, is tough to get through if you're not a fan of profanity. That and also the bit where Lowry was hungry. Admittedly, I found the overwhelming profanity funny -- it felt like a callback to the Footnotes in the Ambergris universe.
I listened to the audiobook -- the reader, Bronson Pinchot, has read several other Vandermeer books (Ambergris being one), and his voice feels almost synonymous with Duncan Shriek, Control, Old Jim, and Lowry.
This one definitely isn't for everyone, and I completely understand the gripes others have had with Act 3, but overall, it definitely makes the Area X universe that much more interesting.
I listened to the audiobook -- the reader, Bronson Pinchot, has read several other Vandermeer books (Ambergris being one), and his voice feels almost synonymous with Duncan Shriek, Control, Old Jim, and Lowry.
This one definitely isn't for everyone, and I completely understand the gripes others have had with Act 3, but overall, it definitely makes the Area X universe that much more interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Vandermeer books are inherently kind of gross (body horror, etc.), but there's a particularly gut-churning section involving the consumption of a potentially human body . So, tread with caution if you're easily grossed out.