Publisher: MCD Fsg Original
Page Count: 200
Once again, I have turned to Twitter to help me make a decision and once again the result was a tie (Why do you keep doing this to me?). So, I have made the decision to review the first book, Annihilation, of the Southern Reach trilogy and that I will do another post for the movie and the remaining books. I still haven’t watched it yet, just because I have heard that there are some parts of the other books in it, even if it is supposed to only be about the first one and I don’t want to be spoiled. But for those of you who wanted a big post about everything concerning this series, you will still get it when I am done reading and watching.
I went into this book with fairly low expectations, which probably helped me incredibly in getting completely sucked into the world. I can see how the writing might not be for everyone, as it is very factual and without many embellishments. I would even go so far as to call it cold and distant, but considering the setting we were in, I kind of appreciated that scientific detachment. In a way, it added a layer of realism to it more than a flowery language ever could.
You never find out the names of any of the people involved, our MC is simply called the biologist. She wants you to think that she is objective when she details what happened in Area X, but it is very clear that she had an agenda of her own when she got there. Some part of me never quite liked the biologist, but at the same time I could relate to her on so many levels. I understood her need for solitude and I share the same ability of completely getting lost in my work. And I might not be identical to her when it comes to friends and family, but I still sort of got her behaviour.
Despite everything this book is, I didn’t expect to also find a heartbreaking love story in it, but all the bits about the biologist and her husband gave me exactly that. I am not saying those parts were my favourite … but they kind of were. It was so much about letting people in, knowing them in ways no one else does and about how everyone needs something different from a relationship.
“I loved him, but I didn’t need him, and I thought that was the way it was supposed to be.”
Should you ever pick up this book, I hope you don’t expect to find answers in it. It is an enigma until the very end. It probably leaves you with more questions than you started out, but there is beauty in its mystery. I am very much looking forward to what the next books have in store for me, but I also have a feeling that we, as the readers, will never get that full picture of everything. Still, it is so very imaginative and chilling! I know I probably should have been scared (seen as this is a sort of Horror SciFi book? And I hate horror?) but I was weirdly fascinated instead. I am also very curious to see how that all translated to the screen, even though I already know that they changed quite a bit (and made it look scarier from what I could tell from the trailer).
Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! A promising start to the trilogy.
Did you read the book? Did you watch the movie? Let’s talk!
Life and Other Disasters 
Thank you for this review! I was pondering whether to watch the movie or leave it for later and try to read the books first. Problem is I have to make time for the books (and of course get them) but probably will try to get the first one at least.
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The books are all really short, so that is something I can definitely put into the plus category for them. However, I get if you don’t have the time and would rather just watch the movie. I hear it’s very good, although I cannot yet say how faithful of an adaptation it really is.
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If don’t manage to read the book by mid-May I will watch the movie.
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This sounds like a very interesting book, Kat! I’ve heard absolutely nothing about it beforehand, but your review made me curious, so I’ll have to look into it 😊 I hope you enjoy the rest of the trilogy and the movie! ❤
Lovely review!
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I usually never go for horror-related stuff and this is in the horror SciFi category, but I wasn’t really scared at all? I was more like weirdly fascinated?
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I tried listening to the audio book before the film came out. And if you read my review of the movie, you know that the narrator for the audio book had such a soporific voice I almost fell asleep several times listening to it. As a consequence, only half the book made it to my brain!
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Well, I can only say that it was very enjoyable in written format for me.
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The reading voice in your head is probably less likely to make you fall asleep too.
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I just imagined Natalie Portman talking the entire time.
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Yeah, definitely unlikely to cause sleepiness.
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Glad to see that you enjoyed it! I read it last year and really enjoyed it though I haven’t gotten around to the last two books yet. 🙂
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I am actually not sure when exactly I will get around to the other books either, but I am really looking forward to them.
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Same! Happy Reading!
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A cold and distant writing style? Ugh, those are always tricky for me 😦 but I do love a continuous enigma! So I’m a little bit on the fence about this haha :)) I will definitely be keeping an eye out for it though 💛
Great review!
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I am not usually a fan of those either, but in this very scientific environment, it kinda worked for me?
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Hmm, makes sense. Agh, I’m confused now :’)
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You could check out the trailer for the movie maybe and see if it’s even something you’d really be interested in reading about. (although there are quite a lot of differences)
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I could do that! Thanks for the tip 💛
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Lovely review, Kat! I think I told you this before, but I’m not sure that this would be a book for me. That being said, the concept sounds quite fascinating and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Sometimes it’s best to go in with low expectations, whenever you can, I mean, more often than not, we end up being surprised when we do that 😀 I hope you’ll keep on enjoying the series and adaptation! 🙂 x
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Thanks, Marie. Yeah, I don’t think that series is for you either, but I am glad I picked it up in the end. It was really exhilarating to read 😀
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This does sound very interesting. That kind of writing doesn’t generally appeal to me, but it makes sense that it worked in this context. I’m still really curious about the book, especially after your awesome review!
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It was an interesting book for sure! I would absolutely understand if people said it wasn’t for them and that they didn’t like the way it was written, but for me it just worked somehow. I now regret not looking for the book Area X, which has all three books in one book. Instead I now have wait and see when I can actually buy the others haha
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Yeah I’ve seen a lot of love it or hate it reviews, but I get why it worked. haha that’s a pain!
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Great review! I’m really looking forward to reading this, it sounds like such a weird and wonderful read 🙂
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Thanks! I hear it’s either hit or miss with people, so I hope you will enjoy it!
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I had no idea this was a book! I don’t think I’ll read the book before I watch the movie, as I love Gina Rodriguez and I don’t think I’ll be able to wait that long, considering I have a lot of unread books left I should read first haha. Great review though! 🙂
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The book is mostly hit or miss with people anyway, so I think it’s good you are not necessarily making it a priority! I hope you’ll enjoy the movie. It looks creepier than the book hahaha
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This is on my list. I want to read it before watching the movie.
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Then I’d also suggest you read the entire trilogy and not just Annihilation. The book Area X has all three parts in one if you can find it.
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The movie was awesome. The best film of the year so far…in my view😎
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I am glad you liked it. Still haven’t gotten around to it as I am missing the other two books.
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I loved Annihilation and I think all of your points are valid. There’s a chill to this book that’s so lovely and magnetic, but you’re right, it’s almost too scientific in tone. I haven’t seen the movie either yet but am gearing up to. I think Jeff Vandermeer is a genius. I write fiction about plants and I love that he uses fungus as a horror device. Thanks for your thoughtful review. Cheers.
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I think fungus is a prime horror device. At least I am personally quite terrified at just the thought of it. Thanks for your lovely comment and I am glad you understood where I was coming from!
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