Annihilation

by Jeff VanderMeer

195 pages

English language

Published Feb. 4, 2014

ISBN:: 978-0-374-10409-2
Goodreads:: 17934530

(8 reviews)

Area X has been cut off from the rest of the world 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 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 …

They arrive expecting the unexpected, and Area X delivers—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.

5 editions

Jakers reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

One of the coolest takes on the "Forbidden Zone"

5 stars

Content warning General statements about themes and plot events

I am definitely going to come back and reread this one, because I feel there's still some tasty snacks hidden amongst the pages.

Honestly, this book was so good I'm having trouble what to talk about, so I'll just kinda free associate. The writing is amazing. The unreliable narrator is pulled off masterfully. There are scenes in the book that made me physically tense. The end was somehow both a happy ending and a sad ending, which are my favorite kind.

I could say more but honestly, you should just read the book.

Jakers reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

One of the coolest takes on the "Forbidden Zone"

5 stars

Content warning General statements about themes and plot events

I am definitely going to come back and reread this one, because I feel there's still some tasty snacks hidden amongst the pages.

I could say more but honestly, you should just read the book.

Johnny reviewed Annihilation (Movie Tie-In Edition) by Jeff VanderMeer (Southern Reach Trilogy, #1)

Uniquely unsettling

5 stars

This really hit the mark for me. Very short read, but it had me clinging to the pages. The scenario is peculiar and incredibly eerie. It reminded me of some of Dick's sci-fi short stories, which I'm a fan of. As the first book in the trilogy, it raises more questions than it provides answers, so I'm looking forward to reading the rest and hopefully finding a satisfying resolution.

sifuCJC reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Hmm, what to say

4 stars

Um. I will continue on in the series. It was interesting. But let's see; the prose was... relentless. Like a pressure squeezing my temples. I can't say it was pleasant.

But now I feel obligated to continue. Like in homage to those traveled before.

Ian Sudderth reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Not sure what I just read but couldn't stop

5 stars

I'm not sure if I'd call this one of my favorites, but there was something gripping about the way it was written and the slow burn of revelations. The utter unknowableness of everything was crushing, and the mysteries never fully unraveled, but I couldn't put it down.

twisterrm@bookwyrm.gatti.ninja reviewed Annientamento by Jeff VanderMeer

Particolarmente affasciante

4 stars

Un libro inizio di una triologia che mi ha affascinato, non spiega molto, quasi nulla, ma l'atmosfera è sempre tesa, onirica. Un libro ben scritto e che lascia riflettere su molte cose al di la della trama superficiale

~erin reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

Beautiful Horror

5 stars

I greatly enjoyed the movie, but loved the book even more. While the movie does a great job of visually portraying everything, it just can't compare to the books and your imagination. The book also seems to put a bit more focus on the characters conflicts with each other, and what happens between them.

It goes into such detail of the weird things happening in Area X, and all the strange happenings. I found it less scary, and more beautiful.

Not only is everything amazingly and skillfully written, but just the goings on are beautiful as well, in my opinion.

bookafnd reviewed Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

creeping horror

5 stars

it's the journal of a biologist exploring an area where things are Wrong and Strange. if that sounds like an enjoyable read to you it probably will be