Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy: Annihilation; Authority; Acceptance

The more I think about it in recent days, the more I think the book centres upon a unique treatment of (linguistic or literary?) Alzheimer’s, with at the start of the above review my referring to ‘unrembering’ (a word used in the book) and the outcome we are shown of the outset regarding the linguist and reference to the ‘flowering plant’ as objective correlative of something that ideally never dies, too, amid the encroaching sea images. The book, I infer, is full of the author’s own personal memories transcribed as objective correlatives within a shifting Area X that is this book – to try fix these memories within the shifting borders of the gestalt mind that is us.The detailed review of this remarkable book posted elsewhere under my name is too long to post here.Above is one of its conclusions.

Not quite as compelling for me as Lovecraft,but with the unanswered,and unanswerable quality of Lem's Solaris,this was a good read,occasionally wandering off track(book 2,especially),but a troubling,disturbing tale of an "anomaly",an anomalous slowly advancing event from "elsewhere" creeping into the world we know.Is it good?Yes.Is it great?Possibly,depending on your prior reading.As I say,for me,less compulsive than Lovecraft's hints and insinuations,less vast in concept than Solaris,but with some of the mystery of both.So,a sort of synthesis of greatness,but not quite equalling either,to my mind.But as far as it goes,well worth reading...but who can match Lovecraft or lem for uanswered,but hinted at,mysteries?No one I can think of,and sadly,not Jef Vandermeer,brave attempt as it may be.Worth reading,certainly.A replacement for its inspirational sources,no.Perhaps no one can really match those greats.So,to me,Lovecraft meets Lem,with a touch of Greg bear's Blood Music--a melange of horror and mystery that doesn't replace those others,as good as it is.

I loved reading all three Area X books as one -- it felt very complete and cohesive. I noticed that people who read the books separately tend to value Annihilation over the others. It's definitely the strongest book in the trilogy as a standalone piece, but this edition reads like a single book -- which is perhaps as it should be.Beautiful edition too.

One of my favourite series of all time, sci-fi or otherwise. Amazingly complete, it is itself and nothing else. Every element of every book contributes essentially to weaving a spell that lingers: psychological realism, literary style, and the horror/wonder of Area X. It's also the perfect balance of open-ended and suggestive: you're left with an idea of what happened that has just enough gaps in it to let the light in.

One of the most magical books I've read for a while. Comparative in scope, imagination and execution to Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake trilogy. I'd come across Jeff VanderMeer before when I found City of Saints and Madmen, and loved the originality of his writing. Area X is another step on. Utterly believable and unbelievable at the same time, the different voices and their various perspectives on a shifting 'truth' at the heart of the book, just add to the mystery. You can never quite pin Area X down - it is as it is - pristine, clean and utterly horrific - and all the better for it. One of the few books I've ever read where I reach the end and want to start straight away at the beginning again...