On Paths Unknown discussion

Hello all, here is the opening thread for Authority, on the schedule for February 9th. (I'll update the topic header once we figure out where exactly to break up the discussion.)

I've just finished the first chapter. Hard to decide if this is the real Biologist or a replica biologist returned. She seems real to me - hence different from the others.

I agree - her reactions seem more real than what she saw in her own husband's shadow in Annihilation.

What are you all's reactions to Control? It is still so jarring for me to switch characters in a new book in a series, but I think I'm defective that way.

It's taking me a while to get used to a change of narrator too. I cant really figure him out yet - but starting to come to terms with him. He seems like 2 different people. Control could almost be his tile (not his nickname) at work, but at home with his cat he seems like a big softee.

Also the ex director is a bit of a puzzle - why did she lead the last mission. Why was she not returned.

Anne wrote: "I've just finished the first chapter. Hard to decide if this is the real Biologist or a replica biologist returned. She seems real to me - hence different from the others."

I'll try to say this with no spoilers. If you take her final words at the end of Annihilation at face value, where is she now: in Area X or at the Southern Reach?

Amy (Other Amy) wrote: "What are you all's reactions to Control? It is still so jarring for me to switch characters in a new book in a series, but I think I'm defective that way."

That nickname "Control" is critical to his character. You'll see that as you go along. Notice when he's "Control" vs. when he's "John." It's important.

As for my feelings about him, I was sorry for him right from the start. He's just way out of his depth, as signified by the opening vision of the whale.

But hey, why is no one reacting in shock to the fact that the psychologist from Annihilation was the director of the Southern Reach - or that the Southern Reach is such a pitiful, decrepit organization?

A. wrote: "As for my feelings about him, I was sorry for him right from the start. He's just way out of his depth, as signified by the opening vision of the whale."

I was also sorry for him, but that was part of my recoil from him the first time I tried to read this. (Personal failing: I have a knee-jerk shut off reaction to pathetic male characters.) I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt this time. He is definitely in over his head with an impossibly incompetent organization.

As to that pitiful organization, I think I half expected it to be an incompetent bureaucracy based on the nature of the training and process of the expedition we saw in Annihilation. (But then, I tend to expect bureaucracies to be incompetent as a general principle!) The psychologist/director link was a shock.

Thanks for the reading tips, A. I do apologize to everyone that I have been MIA on this; I'm just having a bout of the sads. I will try to get back in the saddle this weekend.

I hope you're feeling better Amy! We all need a break every now and then, for whatever reason.

I just finished this, but I'll try not to include any spoilers.

Definitely a big change in style from Annihilation. I enjoyed the interaction between Control and the biologist, partly because it allowed for some character continuity from the first book, though as you all note, the nature of the biologist is a big plot question. But I was less satisfied with the bureaucratic quarreling and secrecy. It certainly makes sense in the context of this world, but the actual plot developments weren't very compelling for me. For instance, I was never sure how were we supposed to understand the bickering between Control and the assistant director. Overall, I got the impression of a spy story but without any obvious danger to provide tension and move the story along.

But I felt it definitely improved in the final two chapters, so I'll be interested to know what people thought of those.

Thanks, Stephen. I am perking up. I'll open an ending spoilers thread for those of you who actually read this on time :-) and I'll pop over there as soon as I get through.

I'm glad you're perking up, Other Amy. I definitely understand the sads. :-/ And I can't wait to get to the spoilers thread so I can blather more fully. In the meantime, I'll just say the Assistant Director is as interesting as she is annoying, and you'll find out why she's the way she is in the last book.

A lot of Southern Reach fans didn't like Authority as well as they did Annihilation and Acceptance. It does have a very different feel, and yeah, Control is kind of pitiful (although I somehow "cast" him in my head as Benjamin Bratt circa Demolition Man, and that made me more kindly disposed to him. ;-)).

To help appreciate the book as you're reading it, keep in mind that VanderMeer used Stanley Kubrick and especially The Shining as inspirations for the atmosphere. You're supposed to get a sense of creeping dread without knowing exactly why you feel it.

Here is the link for the spoiler thread:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...