cdeane61's review against another edition
3.0
Meh.....
Picked this up at the library because I got #2 and #3 at a book sale.
Not sure what all the hype is about, and absolutely flabbergasted that this has been made into a movie.
The book relies heavily on the running internal dialogue of the main character, fleshed out by flashbacks.
It is interesting, but not at all cohesive (maybe that is why there are a #2 and #3?) and certainly not resolved in any way.
Picked this up at the library because I got #2 and #3 at a book sale.
Not sure what all the hype is about, and absolutely flabbergasted that this has been made into a movie.
The book relies heavily on the running internal dialogue of the main character, fleshed out by flashbacks.
It is interesting, but not at all cohesive (maybe that is why there are a #2 and #3?) and certainly not resolved in any way.
erh31's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
huntergoebel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
natcommon's review against another edition
4.0
I surprisingly enjoyed this. I disliked the movie soooo much and I'm glad the book was better. Can't wait to read the next book.
cforss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
addysubtracty's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
clara_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
enbyglitch's review against another edition
4.0
[2nd Read]
A fascinating story about science and humanity coming up against the sublime and unknown. As with my first reading, the 'tower' and its various aspects are the most interesting - but the Psychologist and the mysteries pertaining to the Southern Reach are great too.
As with any similar story, there is a fine line that has to be walked in order to maintain the atmosphere of intrigue. I think I recall that VanderMeer stays pretty far on the safe side of the line, and that the trilogy doesn't end up revealing much more about Area X - instead looking deeper into the human side of things. A bit disappointing when there are so many interesting directions the lore could have gone.
Also just have to mention that the movie does some things better than the book manages. Although it loses the 'tower', having Area X more viscerally interacting with the group increases the tension where the novel always feels detached and scientific.
A fascinating story about science and humanity coming up against the sublime and unknown. As with my first reading, the 'tower' and its various aspects are the most interesting - but the Psychologist and the mysteries pertaining to the Southern Reach are great too.
As with any similar story, there is a fine line that has to be walked in order to maintain the atmosphere of intrigue. I think I recall that VanderMeer stays pretty far on the safe side of the line, and that the trilogy doesn't end up revealing much more about Area X - instead looking deeper into the human side of things. A bit disappointing when there are so many interesting directions the lore could have gone.
Also just have to mention that the movie does some things better than the book manages. Although it loses the 'tower', having Area X more viscerally interacting with the group increases the tension where the novel always feels detached and scientific.
lovebugs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hiding under my blanky with the anxiety level of someone being hunted for sport