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Annihilation: A Novel (The Southern Reach Series, 1) Paperback – February 4, 2014

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 24,971 ratings

A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE FROM ALEX GARLAND, STARRING NATALIE PORTMAN AND OSCAR ISAAC

NOW AVAILBLE IN A SPECIAL NEW TENTH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

The Southern Reach Trilogy begins with
Annihilation, the Nebula Award-winning novel that "reads as if Verne or Wellsian adventurers exploring a mysterious island had warped through into a Kafkaesque nightmare world" (Kim Stanley Robinson).

Area X has been cut off from the rest of the continent for decades. Nature has reclaimed the last vestiges of human civilization. The first expedition returned with reports of a pristine, Edenic landscape; the second expedition ended in mass suicide; the third expedition in a hail of gunfire as its members turned on one another. The members of the eleventh expedition returned as shadows of their former selves, and within weeks, all had died of cancer. In
Annihilation, the first volume of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy, we join the twelfth expedition.

The group is made up of four women: an anthropologist; a surveyor; a psychologist, the de facto leader; and our narrator, a biologist. Their mission is to map the terrain, record all observations of their surroundings and of one another, and, above all, avoid being contaminated by Area X itself.

They arrive expecting the unexpected, and Area X delivers―they discover a massive topographic anomaly and life forms that surpass understanding―but it's the surprises that came across the border with them and the secrets the expedition members are keeping from one another that change everything.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of the Month, February 2014: There is a comfort in familiarity, a foundation from which to definitively identify and label. But Jeff VanderMeer is not interested in putting his readers at ease. With Annihilation--the first volume of The Southern Reach Trilogy--he carefully creates a yearning for answers, then boldly denies them, reminding us that being too eager to know too much can be dangerous. The story follows an expedition of four women who are known only by their professions: the Psychologist, the Surveyor, the Anthropologist, and the Biologist--nameless pawns tasked with exploring, discovering, and (hopefully) delivering data about a portentous coastal territory called Area X. We are a bit like fifth members of that team (perhaps "the Reader"), learning at the same pace, guided by the observations of our narrator, the Biologist. Still the context remains blurry as VanderMeer twists each discovery into a deeper mystery. Through potent description and unrelenting tension, he achieves a level of emotional manipulation that should appeal to anyone who embraced the paranormal phenomena and maddening uncertainties of Lost. --Robin A. Rothman

From Booklist

*Starred Review* An expedition of four women is sent into an unknown region called Area X, beyond the borders of humanity: a psychologist, a surveyor, an anthropologist, and our narrator, a biologist. The purpose of the mission is to collect data about Area X and report back to the government, the Southern Reach, but circumstances begin to change when the group discovers a tower (or tunnel) that was previously unmarked on the map. Inside the structure, strange writing scrawls across the walls, and a spiral staircase descends downward, beckoning the members to follow. Previous expeditions ended badly, with group members disappearing or returning as shells of their former selves, but little is known about what actually occurred on those trips to Area X. A gripping fantasy thriller, Annihilation is thoroughly suspenseful. In a manner similar to H. G. Wells’ in The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896), VanderMeer weaves together an otherworldly tale of the supernatural and the half-human. Delightfully, this page-turner is the first in a trilogy. --Heather Paulson

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ FSG Originals; First Edition (February 4, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374104093
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374104092
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.55 x 7.45 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 24,971 ratings

About the author

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Jeff VanderMeer
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Called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker, NYT bestseller Jeff VanderMeer has been a published writer since age 14. His most recent fiction is the critically acclaimed novel BORNE, which has received raves from the NYTBR, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and many more. Paramount Pictures has optioned BORNE for film.

VanderMeer's Southern Reach trilogy was one of the publishing events of 2014, the trilogy made more than thirty year’s best lists, including Entertainment Weekly’s top 10. Paramount Pictures has made a movie out of the first volume of the Southern Reach, Annihilation, slated for release in 2018 and starring Tessa Thompson, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, Natalie Portman, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.

His nonfiction appears in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, and the Atlantic.com. VanderMeer also wrote the world’s first fully illustrated creative-writing guide, Wonderbook. With his wife, Ann VanderMeer, he has edited may iconic anthologies. He lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with two wonderful cats. His hobbies include hiking, reading, and bird watching.

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4 out of 5 stars
24,971 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story intriguing and interesting. They appreciate the visual style, describing it as beautiful and poetic. The book is described as enthralling and exciting, capturing their attention and imagination. However, opinions differ on readability, writing quality, and thought-provoking aspects. Some find the story well-told with masterful prose, while others feel the narration seems forced and unscientific.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

810 customers mention "Story quality"578 positive232 negative

Customers find the story intriguing and interesting. They describe it as a well-written story of exploration, discovery, and transformation. The book has psychological depth and intriguing details. It's described as neither hard sci-fi nor hard horror, more a creepy and unsettling exploration.

"...It’s that great kind of creepiness that feels so good even as you feel the shadow stretching out over you inch by inch and you know you should run..." Read more

"...The bones of the story are truly intriguing - a mysterious Area X along the "lost coast"..." Read more

"...I listened to the audio book and the narrator was superb. She related the events and background perfectly...." Read more

"...The lighthouse was what did it for me, ultimately. Yeah, the tower is weird and scary and there are things down there that will cause any sane..." Read more

178 customers mention "Visual style"165 positive13 negative

Customers appreciate the visual style of the book. They find the descriptions beautiful and poetic, with stunning presentation of beauty and terror. The creative universe is fantastic, and the cover art is fantastic. The writing is superb, deftly painting a singular world and journey. The ending is elegant.

"...Besides the descriptive imagery and the sharp characterization, there is a wonderful sense of dread and suspense, of horror, that builds and builds..." Read more

"...She related the events and background perfectly...." Read more

"...Area X is lush, beautiful, and completely abandoned, except for the new expedition, or so they think at first...." Read more

"When I saw the interesting cover design and read the enigmatic book description I was instantly hooked by Annihilation...." Read more

157 customers mention "Entertainment value"139 positive18 negative

Customers enjoy the book's entertainment value. They find it enthralling, exciting, and enjoyable. The book captures their attention and imagination, keeping them engaged even when it slows down. It serves as a good companion for the movie and keeps them thinking.

"...The writing, especially at the start, is both exciting and compelling. However, each mystery only leads to more mysteries...." Read more

"...Instead this book is pure excitement and adrenaline...." Read more

"...It’s meant to be a thought-invoking, thrilling and engaging story, not a character driven hero’s journey...." Read more

"...(giving the novel a frustrating, exhilarating timelessness)..." Read more

824 customers mention "Readability"573 positive251 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's readability. Some find it fantastic and compelling, describing it as well-done and worthy of attention. Others mention frustrating elements, ambiguous storytelling, and confusion. The story-telling is unique but has frustrating elements, with few questions answered and long to enjoy.

"...Craft-wise, I think this is one of Vandermeer’s best novels (and I say that as a fan)...." Read more

"...The first book is definitely the strongest of the three, but my feeling is that if you are going to invest time and money in the first book, there..." Read more

"...She related the events and background perfectly. Few questions are answered and the clearest section for me was the last section, which didn't say..." Read more

"...study as it is horror, and horror it most certainly is, of the best kind...." Read more

495 customers mention "Writing quality"313 positive182 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the writing quality. Some find it masterful and relatable, with a detached mainline narration perfectly suited to the biologist's clinical mindset. Others feel the narration seems forced and not scientifically possible. The writing is heavy on prose and lacks explanations of what has happened.

"...Besides the descriptive imagery and the sharp characterization, there is a wonderful sense of dread and suspense, of horror, that builds and builds..." Read more

"...There's not much dialogue though there is a fair amount of introspection and some flashbacks, of a sort...." Read more

"...Yet he is a very good writer and I did not want to wait to get through the series until the prices came down for each book...." Read more

"...I listened to the audio book and the narrator was superb. She related the events and background perfectly...." Read more

268 customers mention "Thought provoking"174 positive94 negative

Customers have different views on the book. Some find it thought-provoking and engaging, challenging their perceptions of the world. They say it raises interesting questions about the human condition. Others feel the plot is ambiguous, with lots of allusions and exposition but little dialogue or action.

"...whole is larger than the parts here—yes, I like this book for its craft elements—the prose, the characterization, the tone—and yes, I like it..." Read more

"...ANNIHILATION is psychological, and organic, horror and mystery at its very, very best, from a master of his craft...." Read more

"...Many viewers of 'Lost" loved the ending, which I found sappy and saccharine, without any real answers to the questions I asked through-out the..." Read more

"...There's not much dialogue though there is a fair amount of introspection and some flashbacks, of a sort...." Read more

181 customers mention "Pacing"95 positive86 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book. Some find it fast-paced with engaging plot points and descriptive imagery. Others mention that the story begins slowly but picks up steam once the main protagonist is introduced. The prose can drag a bit towards the end, but not so much that they wouldn't recommend the book.

"...much of the pleasure—and it really is a pleasure—is the slow reveal of all that ensues, not merely the plot points but the slow reveal of character..." Read more

"...The pacing wasn’t super fast, edge of you seat thriller style, but it wasn’t slow either and 5 part format made it easy to pick up and put down...." Read more

"...I was never unsatisfied with the pace. Jeff VanderMeer has taken this even further by expediting the release of the rest of the series...." Read more

"...is barely 200 print pages long, I found that it took an extraordinary amount of time to read...." Read more

171 customers mention "Character development"64 positive107 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development. Some find the main character interesting and beautifully realized, while others feel the development is lacking, with little to no personality, lack of descriptions, and lack of dialogue between characters. The characters are never named, making it hard for readers to connect with them.

"...That the characters didn't fully understand themselves (ie, the mystery of their personhood) or the mystery of Area X, so why should we?..." Read more

"...yes, I like it because it tells a compelling story about a likable engaging character...." Read more

"...No characters names are given, it does not follow the normal build up rather you are tossed directly into area x. And area x itself is completely..." Read more

"...The biologist is a flawed character, a woman more comfortable around frogs and dragonflies than people and their conversations and desire for..." Read more

Vague, Ambiguous Mystery through an Alien Environment
5 out of 5 stars
Vague, Ambiguous Mystery through an Alien Environment
Short read spread over two days. 208 pages. This is written from the perspective of someone who watched the movie first.The book deviates strongly from the movie, very strongly. So while I imagined the various actors that filled in the various movie roles, the actual events are much different.This story, if you’re looking for definitive answers, and a resolution to the plot, this is not for you. Many of the questions are ambiguous, and left to the viewpoints of a biologist who may or may not be compromised either by the clever hypnotism of their Psychologist, or by the spores they inhaled when first entering the tunnel.The book is written from her viewpoint. A team of four women experts in their fields: a biologist (the protagonist), an anthropologist, a surveyor, and the psychologist (group leader.) They are sent into an area that is compromised by some unknown government experiment. They are heavily trained to not only forgo names, but not to trust the other perspective of their team. They are given journals to write their accounts of Area X. They are sent, under hypnosis of the psychologist, into a tunnel omitted from their maps. By hypnosis, they are made to omit the actual biological organisms and materials of the tunnel for something less alarming to the mind, to uncover the meaning of the words written on the walls shaped by vines and fungi. By inhaling the spores of the fungi, the biologist is able to become immune to the hypnosis, and from there begins to see through the forced perspective of the psychologist. She sees the alarming complexity of the environment around her. Whatever is changing the environment, it’s changing it into a distorted reflection of reality.The biologist, an woman known for her introversion, is following the trail of her late husband in a search for answers. The story is about her changing perspectives of the scenery around her. I don’t want to give spoilers, but it’s following her unique perspective of the world, as the only one immune to the hypnosis as well as the understanding of a biologist, an expert of living things.I’m about to start the next book. Perhaps it’ll fill in more of the answers I’m looking for, but it’s a good book; just very vague, ambiguous. It’s something not even the biologist can understand with only her five senses. The environment, and the creature changing the environment, are so alien they are unable to be given taxonomy. That leaves a lot of mystery.If you like strange fiction, this is a very weird novel.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2014
    If Loren Eiseley, Charlotte Perking Gilman, Sigmund Freud, and Franz Kafka had a literary baby, it would look something like Annihilation.

    In Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation, an all-women expedition of four is tasked by a secret organization— the Southern Reach—to explore a mysterious region known as Area X, which has been abandoned/cut off from civilization for decades. They are the 12th such expedition, the last one occurring two years earlier, and it’s made clear very early that those earlier ones had some tragic and/or horrific endings. Not long after arriving, they discover a mysterious underground structure (a “tunnel” to everyone save the biologist, who insists on calling it a “tower”) that, unlike the lighthouse and the abandoned village, is not on their map. Her recording of subsequent events is interspersed with flashbacks to her early professional life and to her marriage. And really, even though all that comes out in just the first few pages, this is all I want to mention about the plot, because much of the pleasure—and it really is a pleasure—is the slow reveal of all that ensues, not merely the plot points but the slow reveal of character as well. And equally, or perhaps even more pleasurable, is what is not revealed. Or maybe more precisely, what is not explained. Suffice to say, this is not a novel for those who like clear-cut answers. Or even, you know, just answers, clear or no (though it is possible, this being the first in a trilogy, that some of the mystery will be made more clear by the end of the entire story).

    Nor is Annihilation a novel for those who do not care much for unreliable narrators, since the biologist is constantly calling into question not only her own conclusions/speculations, but even her own observations. If she can’t trust her eyes, how are we the readers supposed to? Or whatever theories she comes up with based on whatever it is her eyes see?

    Now, I happen to be a fan, generally, of unreliable narrators. So I’m already predisposed to like what VanderMeer does here with this character. But beyond that, I just really liked this character herself. If one ignores the whole can’t-trust-what-she-sees part, she has a startlingly sharp vision. This is true when she is looking at the world around her, whether that world is the transitional and partially alien landscape of Area X or the more “mundane” worlds of her youthful backyard, or an empty lot near her house, which are allegedly “comprehensible” to us but have their own inexplicable nature, are themselves part of the fantastical (and as old stories tell us, fantasy is not always benign). And so Annihilation is filled with lots of nature imagery, all of which VanderMeer, who is clearly a sharp observer himself, conveys in vividly precise fashion. Beyond the natural world, though, the biologist also has a clarity of vision with regard to herself, say in terms of her love of solitude, or with regard to her relationship with her husband, that is hard not to like and respond to.

    Besides the descriptive imagery and the sharp characterization, there is a wonderful sense of dread and suspense, of horror, that builds and builds throughout the novel. It’s that great kind of creepiness that feels so good even as you feel the shadow stretching out over you inch by inch and you know you should run like hell. That kind of hurts-but-feels-good pain of picking at a scab.

    Between the high level of weirdness that I don’t want to say anything much about, the engaging nature of the narrator and the steadily increasing level of suspense, the book is truly compelling. Not quite in the page-turning fashion of a good mystery or action novel (and then what happens? And then what?) but in the way you just can’t help but look at that flash of movement in the darkness you saw in the corner of your eye, you can’t help but go down that hall, then around that corner. Maybe “fascinating” is a better word than “compelling.”

    I also was captivated by the questions raised in Annihilation, such as how we view nature, what is our place in this world, how do we respond when we encounter the ineffable? Questions of agency, of influence, of what lies beneath the surface, of how or even if one can remain “alone” in a world that constantly presses upon us and also impresses upon us the requirement to share, to interact, to “connect.” And other ones as well.

    Craft-wise, I think this is one of Vandermeer’s best novels (and I say that as a fan). The pacing is spot on, the prose shifts gears as needed but generally has a great sense of spare rhythm to it, and shifts between flashback and present time are handled smoothly—he seems to know exactly when to interrupt and when not to, as well as when to return. Finally, it’s exactly as long as it should be and no longer.

    But the whole is larger than the parts here—yes, I like this book for its craft elements—the prose, the characterization, the tone—and yes, I like it because it tells a compelling story about a likable engaging character. But at the core of Annihilation is something ungraspable, and so it’s also nicely appropriate that I can’t quite nail down exactly what it is I love about this book (as opposed to being able to say what I like about it). But boy, did I love it.

    Despite being the first in a trilogy, the book ends in such a fashion that I’d be quite happy if this were it. That’s not to say I don’t care what comes next, but despite, or perhaps because of, the enigmatic nature of the climax and the many mysteries left hanging, it’s pretty near a perfect ending in my mind. And pretty much a perfect read. Highly recommended.
    31 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2015
    I debated between three and four stars, but ultimately decided on four stars, mainly because the writing is so darn good. Also, being a fan of these types of books, I felt VanderMeer had created the bones of great story, thought the fleshing out of that story was highly problematic and ultimately took what could have been a fabulous book down to merely a good story. It could have been so much more, and that, my fellow readers, is what is so deeply disappointing here. I wanted this to be a five star review, not merely three or four stars.

    The bones of the story are truly intriguing - a mysterious Area X along the "lost coast" (the location is never truly identified for us by VanderMeer because God forbid we name anything here because names carry something mysterious about them. Unfortunately, we are never really told what. Names and locations are meaningless? Too confining? To defining? Your guess is as good as mine) where something dramatic and alien and unexplainable has occurred. Little goes in or comes out of Area X - and what does come back out is never who or what we think it is.

    As I said, VanderMeer is a good enough writer that he hooks the reader early on and doesn't let go. I read all three books in the series, one right after the other, even though, in my opinion, the series remains vastly overpriced. Yet he is a very good writer and I did not want to wait to get through the series until the prices came down for each book. The first book is definitely the strongest of the three, but my feeling is that if you are going to invest time and money in the first book, there isn't much point unless you are prepared to see it through to the end of the series.

    Many reviewers have compared the books to the TV series "Lost." I think the comparison is apt in that the island in "Lost" is mysterious and replete with strange and unexplained phenomenon. But I think the analogy is even more apt than that. Many viewers of 'Lost" loved the ending, which I found sappy and saccharine, without any real answers to the questions I asked through-out the whole series. But many viewers became ,more attached to the characters than the storyline, so maybe they didn't care so much that no answers were really provided at the end. I did, however. I wanted real, concrete information to a show I had invested viewing over the course of many years. When I didn't get answers, I felt betrayed and let down.

    I think many of the negative reviews of this series reflect this same kind of sensibility. VanderMeer has engaged in the cardinal sin of many writers - getting us hooked on a story, then disappointing many readers by failing to provide a concrete, satisfying conclusion with answers to our most important questions. Yes, you can leave some mystery, but too much unanswered is never a good thing.

    I suspect that the author was striving to continue the mystery and lack of conclusive answers that the characters felt when confronting themselves, their motivations, each other, life, the unknown, etc. That the characters didn't fully understand themselves (ie, the mystery of their personhood) or the mystery of Area X, so why should we? I speculate here, but the author probably felt he was simply mimicking Area X in all of its grand mystery (and yes, mimicry plays a large role in the story and no, we are never really told why) and that his mimicry was important to the story.

    But the problem is that such an approach is never truly satisfying to a large percentage of readers. What I was hoping for (but never got) was not so much an ending like the conclusion of "Lost" where there are no real answers but we feel so in love with the characters and their relationships with each other that we are not supposed to care our questions go unanswered, but more like the ending to the series "Battlestar Galactica" in which are questions are answered, but the answers are nothing that we really expected. I wanted a refreshing and unexpected surprise at the end. Something I didn't see coming.

    You won't get that here. That is not to say that VanderMeer answers no questions about Area X - he does do that by the final book. That said, he just doesn't go far enough with many of those answers, nor are those answers in any way truly a wonderful and unexpected surprise.

    Moreover, I failed to feel strongly attached to many of the characters, who seemed "lost" (no pun intended) within themselves. Control plays a strong role in book two, but fades almost entirely away in importance in book three. A lot of times you feel like shaking the characters and screaming "wake up," but they never do, but rather remain mired in their own confused and obscure states of being. Now I get the sense that VanderMeer wants use to revel in this as being a reflection of the utlimate meaning of the human condition, but frankly, it just feels unsatisfying and makes one feel frustrated with the characters. Many times they just meander through the story and their non-stop stream of consciousness fretting and lack of clarity does drag the story down at times.

    Ending the story by stressing simply - aren't these characters fascinating in and of themselves and this is just the human condition, to remain an ultimate mystery to us - was deeply unsatisfying to me. Tell me what happens to Control. Tell me what happens to the Earth. Tell me the "why" of Area X. Tell me the "Why" of what happens to the biologist. Or what happens to Saul or the psychologist.

    Give me something new and unexpected, but don't leave me in the dark, Mr. VanderMeer.
    371 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024
    I had heard of this series and decided to read it as a Goodreads challenge. Its a strange tale of an all female expedition into an unusual region called Area X. Previous expeditions had ended in disaster, including the last expedition that her husband had been on. Things don't go well on this expedition either and we follow the biologist as narrator. I listened to the audio book and the narrator was superb. She related the events and background perfectly. Few questions are answered and the clearest section for me was the last section, which didn't say much.

Top reviews from other countries

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  • Akshay kumbhar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
    Reviewed in India on January 17, 2022
    Very good read...with nice detailings of area x...u can visualise every events...very good n short book...experience the thrill...nice writing after jules verne...
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    Akshay kumbhar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling
    Reviewed in India on January 17, 2022
    Very good read...with nice detailings of area x...u can visualise every events...very good n short book...experience the thrill...nice writing after jules verne...
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  • Books by Proxy | @proxyfish
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Subtle and Eerie Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2020
    Rating: 3.5 Stars

    Imagine, if you will, that you are lost within an alien landscape. You do not know whether you have left this earth or crossed through an alternative dimension, or whether you yet remain in a strange forgotten corner of the world. The only thing which connects you to the rest of humanity is a journal. A journal of a woman whose name you do not know, whose life is slowly unfolding as you turn the cracked and brittle pages, and whose fate will yet remain a mystery at its close.

    Annihilation is a strange, disquieting and eerily beautiful novel which takes the reader on an expedition into Area X; where those who enter leave changed, if they leave at all. This is a tale of discovery and quiet observation, a preternatural mystery which should be slowly savoured until you are nothing but lost in the wilds of VanderMeer’s imagination.

    -

    Annihilation follows the expedition of an unnamed protagonist, the biologist, as she journeys into Area X, a mysterious and extensive partition of land under an apparent imposed quarantine. Previous expeditions have entered but all have returned altered, if they returned at all.

    Together with a psychologist, an anthropologist and a surveyor, the twelfth expedition makes its way into this strange and mystifying land only to find that danger is as likely to come from within as without; no one remains the same in Area X. With towers that spiral into the earth, strange cries in the night and creatures straight out of a fever dream, finding a way home might be the least of their problems.

    -

    Annihilation is a quiet flight of (science) fantasy across uncharted territory; a novel which slowly draws you into a world of sinister discovery. Area X is a vast and mysterious zone which takes on an almost alien appearance; its utter unfamiliarity creating a heady and foreboding atmosphere which weighs heavily throughout. VanderMeer’s writing is effortlessly engaging, leading the reader one step at a time into this strange, hypnotic and almost hallucinogenic world which, whilst not overtly involved, rides a line of tension from beginning to end.

    Throughout the novel Area X appears overwhelmingly large, but despite this impression the narrative remains confined to a comparatively small zone which the expedition is reticent to leave. Whilst the necessity for staging the narrative in this relatively small area is somewhat apparent, my own imagination was straining at these invisible borders, desperate to discover more of the land and its utterly strange inhabitants. But if it was a ploy to make me want to read book two, it worked! VanderMeer has set me on a voyage of discovery which I am determined to see through.

    Our unnamed protagonist is a thoughtful, analytical woman whose perspective of quiet observation and discovery make her an engaging character. Whilst this works in the favour of the biologist, we gain little perspective on the supplementary characters beyond her observations. Her tendency to watch rather than communicate means we never establish any meaningful connection to the other members of the expedition and care little for them when events conspire against them. This does, however, add to the air of mystery and tension; anyone is capable of anything, everyone is disposable and no one is safe.

    VanderMeer’s first foray into Area X is a beautiful, subtle and incredibly atmospheric read which resonates with a sense of the unknown and the unknowable. His lyrical writing is saturated with the strange, forming a sinister and other-worldly tale which becomes increasingly difficult to put down. Whilst I would have preferred a little more action throughout the narrative and a more climactic, defined conclusion, the story remained absorbing throughout and the beauty of VanderMeer’s writing more than made up for it. This is a tale of quiet enjoyment. Of the strange. Of dreams and of nightmares.

    -

    If you like your science fantasy subtle and eerie, and wish to venture into the unknown, then Annihilation might just be the book for you. This is a novel which diverted all of my expectations and still managed to impress. Jeff VandeerMeer may be a new addition to my bookshelves but I imagine he’ll be there to stay.
  • AmazonRex
    5.0 out of 5 stars Léanlo neta
    Reviewed in Mexico on October 21, 2018
    Ame el libro, voy en el segundo de la trilogía. La edición kindle está muy bonita. Mil veces mejor que la adaptación de netflix, léanlo
  • F
    4.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, different, immersive
    Reviewed in Australia on August 9, 2023
    This is a very different take on what the reader would consider to be an alien invasion.
    And it's an hypnotic, spiralling descent into hell.
    Evocative, mysterious, terrifying, it's impossible to put it down.
    Little spoiler here:

    -----
    the reader doesn't get all the answers, and that's what I loved as well. You fill the gaps with your own imagination and make up the rest.
    -----

    Also, I'll argue that you don't need to embark into reading the trilogy. As weird as it sounds, this book has its own end and it's perfect.

    This is a very good, almost dreaming little novel.
  • Georg Mayer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A haunting and true mystery
    Reviewed in Germany on January 12, 2018
    Background: I write this after reading Annihilation, but before reading the other two books of the trilogy. So I cannot judge its content by the complete story. Maybe I'll amend the text once I've read them all.

    Three pages into the book it was clear to me that I will like it. It puts the reader right at the beginning of the story, where the action start and does not tell too much about the background - it stays focused on what's happening right now.

    VanderMeers style, the language of the book, is easy to read but not simple - it has a down-to-earth poetry that works excellent with the narrating character. And it's already then clear that any type of action or thrill happening in this book will not be just for entertainment, but to bring the story forward. He stays true to this until the end.

    Everything in this book has a mysterious aura - we don't know how the details of what's happening in Area X fit together. But we also start to suspect that something in the real world must be significantly different from our (the readers) reality. This is one thing about this book I absolutely loved: whilst we follow the biologist and see how she tries to make sense of the strangeness of Area X, the reader not only tries to uncover Area X but also the reality from where the biologist is actually coming from. And by and by one gets the feeling as if the biologist would start doubting her past as well. The outside and the inside of Area X seem both to be places that are not too trustworthy.

    The book is never boring, every sentence is at the right place and one truly feels the disturbances through which the biologist has to go through.

    Now some people say that the they are disappointed by the ending and that they hope to get more things resolved in the other two books, i.e. that Annihilation seen as a stand-alone novel is not satisfying. I disagree. The beauty of it is that it shows how the biologist (and all the others) try to make sense of the mystery but come to understand, that sense is a very limited, human perspective. There are explanations, but those are not so important here - it is more the feeling, the inner impressions that count. And with that I don't mean necessarily only the feeling of horror, but more that there is something utterly strange going on, something that escapes explanation, maybe even reason - something alien which is most confusing, which is a threat, which is intelligent but which also might not be meaning to do harm. We are left in a state of doubt and uncertainty and that is intended and transported perfectly.