Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1)

by Jeff VanderMeer

’A contemporary masterpiece’ Guardian

THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SOUTHERN REACH TRILOGY – NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY ALEX GARLAND (EX MACHINA) AND STARRING NATALIE PORTMAN AND OSCAR ISAAC

For thirty years, Area X has remained mysterious and remote behind its intangible border – an environmental disaster zone, though to all appearances an abundant wilderness.

The Southern Reach, a secretive government agency, has sent eleven expeditions to investigate Area X. One has ended in mass suicide, another in a hail of gunfire, the eleventh in a fatal cancer epidemic.

Now four women embark on the twelfth expedition into the unknown.

Reviewed by Beth C. on

4 of 5 stars

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I was hesitant to read this book, having heard both great things and less-than-great things. However, I was also very intrigued by the back cover blurb, so when I ran across a worn paperback copy at the local library, sitting out like it was waiting for me, I decided to sit a spell and read. Roughly an hour later, the library was closing, and I was checking the book out to finish it.

It's not a graceful read, but the words have a sort of rawness to them that matches the storyline. It is a fascinating read, and if I didn't have another book that I need to finish first, I would be starting immediately on the sequel to this one. Frankly, I may cave and start it anyway.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 2 September, 2015: Finished reading
  • 2 September, 2015: Reviewed