A review by enbyglitch
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
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.