Challenge Corner discussion

Area X has been cut off from the rest of the continent for decades. Nature has reclaimed the last vestiges of human civilization. The first expedition returned with reports of a pristine, Edenic landscape; all the members of the second expedition committed suicide; the third expedition died 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 months of their return, all had died of aggressive cancer.

This is the twelfth expedition.

Their 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 and collect specimens; to record all their observations, scientific and otherwise, of their surroundings and of one another; and, above all, to avoid being contaminated by Area X itself.

They arrive expecting the unexpected, and Area X delivers—they discover a massive topographic anomaly and life forms that surpass understanding—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.

So this came available much sooner than expected. I have it for 14 days. I will likely start a bit earlier than planned.

I'm going to start this one tonight on my way home. Sorry I'm sp early.

I'm in part four now. It reminds me of something Dean Koontz might write, but not as well written. To me at least. If I weren't listening, I would probably DNF this.

Alright, let me share some thoughts.

About the beginning: (view spoiler)[The idea of this was interesting. I liked the thought of following people as they explored some quarantined place. The no names thing was even kind of interesting and didn't detract too much from the story. (hide spoiler)]

About the husband, from the whole novel. (view spoiler)[Creepy that there were these clones of them, or whatever they were. And why did they go back? Did they carry some kind of infection from Area X?

I actually thought it was neat that he was writing his journal to the wife. And that he took a boat and left...if what she told us was true. I wonder what happened to him and others like him. (hide spoiler)]

The writing was a big thing that I had an issue with in this. I think it could have been written in a very compelling way and been more interesting. Like I mentioned before, this reminds me of something Koontz might write, but it lacked his spark. For one thing, there wasn't really any soul searching and when there was it wasn't that great.

About the ending. (view spoiler)[We never learned anything about why Area X was there. And I don't think that worked here. I wanted a little more about they how or the why or even just the when. It seemed like the world outside was still going along as normal, so why was this random place there?

Also, what is going to be in a sequel? I saw no need for one. (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING AUGUST 22ND, 2020

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So, I was one of the few people that saw the Annihilation movie in theaters. I loved it. A smart, female-driven scifi movie is not everyone's cup of tea, but it was definitely mine. So I bought the books in the Southern Reach trilogy, and then never read them. So, here we go.

Part 1: Initiation (18%)
(view spoiler)[It's interesting that none of the characters have names. Depersonalization from the beginning. The narrator talks about things from the previous expeditions, but she also says that only the 11th expedition returned. Or was it that only the 11th expedition "translocated" back? Strange. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: Integration (46%)
(view spoiler)[First, the depersonalization of the expedition members, then hypnotic suggestions about the very nature of reality. If I hadn't seen the movie, part of me would wonder if the "expedition" members were actually unconscious in hospital beds while all of this was happening in their minds (or maybe just the biologist's mind) (hide spoiler)]

Part 3: Immolation (61%)
(view spoiler)[So the psychologist is hiding in a secret room filled with creepy journals of expeditions past? Has she secretly been on previous expeditions? Is she in charge of the whole thing? Very weird and very creepy. (hide spoiler)]

Part 4: Immersion (80%)
(view spoiler)[Are they changing or are they simply going crazy? (hide spoiler)]

Part 5: Dissolution
(view spoiler)[ I'm looking for meaning in the fact that this is the only section that doesn't start with an I. It's a strange ending, that's not really an ending. I liked the book a lot, but I can see how it can divide people into likers and haters. It did make me want to read the next book in the series, which is about as good as I can say about a book. (hide spoiler)]

Starting this now!

Part 1 - Initiation: (view spoiler)[So far it's pretty interesting that they are just going by their job/title.. and not names in this. I'm very intrigued to see where this is going and where the anthropologist went.. (hide spoiler)]

Wait, this was a MOVIE? Or is one?

Part 2 - Integration: (view spoiler)[I'm so intrigued by this whole hypnosis thing and the entire experiment really. I'm also wondering if this is actually real life.. or something else? Like they are in a dream like state somewhere and are in a simulation kind of thing? Not sure if I'm on the right path right now.. but I'm excited to see how this all plays out. (hide spoiler)]

Part 3 - Immolation: (view spoiler)[...what the heck is going on here? Why is the psychologist being so creepy? Also kind of sad about what happened to her husband. (hide spoiler)]

Alaina wrote: "Wait, this was a MOVIE? Or is one?"

Yes, it was a movie with Natalie Portman as the biologist. Tessa Thompson was in it too. It came out a few years ago. It was a big deal because it was only released in theaters in the U.S. and was one of the first direct-to-streaming movies elsewhere. People complained because with the effects it really needed to be seen on a big screen.

Deanie wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Wait, this was a MOVIE? Or is one?"

Yes, it was a movie with Natalie Portman as the biologist. Tessa Thompson was in it too. It came out a few years ago. It was a big deal because i..."

I need to find this movie!

Part 4 - Immersion: (view spoiler)[Wow a lot happened and I don't know how to feel about the Biologist being on her own expeditions. At least we got some answers about the journals.. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[WOW just wow. That whole ending was beyond interesting and now my brain is still trying to explain it all to me. I really liked how this little area is changing and fighting everything because of all the destruction from mankind. Definitely makes you think about things.. and I'm wondering what the next book would be like.. (hide spoiler)]

I have books 2 and 3 if you want to continue buddy reading them. I plan on reading them in September.

The movie apparently isn't streaming anywhere free but it's not expensive on Amazon prime. There are definite differences to the movie, though after reading the first book I wonder if they incorporated things from the other two books in there.

The movie is visually gorgeous, and all of the actresses are great. I loved it, but then again I think as a smart, sciency, scifi-loving woman I was probably their target audience.

I would love to dive into the rest of the series next month! I will see if I can get them from my library!

Alaina wrote: "I would love to dive into the rest of the series next month! I will see if I can get them from my library!"

Were you able to get the books? Do you want to change this into a BR thread for the middle to end of September?

Deanie wrote: "Alaina wrote: "I would love to dive into the rest of the series next month! I will see if I can get them from my library!"

Were you able to get the books? Do you want to change this into a BR thre..."

Yes, I did get them! Will the 16th or 17th work for you?

Sounds good. How about the 17th?

Deanie wrote: "Sounds good. How about the 17th?"

Okay I will update the thread now :)

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2020

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Part 1 - Incantations (view spoiler)[ So, I was wondering what the follow up would be... a continuation or a new exhibition. In the first book, the characters didn't have names... in this one, the MC has a name but chooses to go by "Control."

Maybe because this series is so weird I'm finding meaning where there isn't any. I'm interested in seeing what happens next. (hide spoiler)]

Incantations: (view spoiler)[So weird diving into this world again but learning so many new things! It's crazy that Area X and the force field were possibly created by two different events but where did the door come from. I have so many questions. (hide spoiler)]
Rites: (view spoiler)[That video was so creepy!! Also the Voice is getting angry and cussing now? What the heck is happening to Control? It seems like he's losing it a bit.. (hide spoiler)]
Hauntings: (view spoiler)[Okay I did now see Lowry being the voice and I was a bit shocked by that twist. I'm also wondering how Control is going to get the answers he's looking for now that the biologist is gone.. (hide spoiler)]
Finished: (view spoiler)[WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF REPLICAS?? I have so many questions now that we know the biologist is a replica. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "... ..."

Control was really interesting in this book and I liked that he chose that name.

Starting the third book now!

21%: (view spoiler)[So far things are pretty interesting, especially with the island being on fire now. I just want to know more about Area X and everyone that has been in or deals with it. I'm also intrigued by the Light bridge... but they do seem weird to me at the same time. (hide spoiler)]

Rites: (view spoiler)[ At first, I was wishing for more actual plot, but then I realized that the psychology is the plot. Who is the Voice? Is the Psychologist the Voice? Maybe she's not missing... she's behind everything. Control seems to be going as crazy as everyone on the expedition did. But most of the people in the base seem normal. Of course, we don't get their thoughts. Maybe they're crazy too and better at pretending. (hide spoiler)]

Hauntings: (view spoiler)[Okay. He's really going crazy, and in a way that sometimes seems to make sense an other times is difficult to understand -- but it's always interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

Rites: [spoilers removed]

Hauntings: [spoilers removed]"

Haha yes everyone was going crazy

47%: (view spoiler)[Aw the owl died? That's so sad. (hide spoiler)]

Did you ever get around to watching the Annihilation movie with Natalie Portman?



Afterlife: (view spoiler)[The idea of replicas is hinted at in the Annihilation movie, so I kind of knew that was coming, but the whole thing with Control going crazy was strange. I'm actually wondering if his Mother was real or just a figment of his imagination. The third book should be very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "Did you ever get around to watching the Annihilation movie with Natalie Portman?



Afterlife: [spoilers removed]"

No I haven't!! September has been a crazy month for me at work and I even have to work over the weekend. Maybe if it gets slow or I get off early I will watch it.

76%: (view spoiler)[Interesting how the biologist reminds her of Area X.. (hide spoiler)]

100%: (view spoiler)[I feel like I still have questions after this ended. Especially when it comes to Area X. (hide spoiler)]

33% (view spoiler)[ It takes me a little bit to get into the style of this series when I start a new book. VanderMeer seems to be deliberately confusing sometimes. I like the shift away from the research center, to see what other people think and do about Area X. (hide spoiler)]

55% (End of Part II) (view spoiler)[ Now we get to see the biologist's hidden agenda. Was the owl supposed to have been a transmogrified version of her husband? I'm interested in finding out more about the island. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

33% [spoilers removed]

55% (End of Part II) [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ 33%, Oh Area X! So confusing.

Deanie wrote: "

33% [spoilers removed]

55% (End of Part II) [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ 55%, omg that owl! That's what I was thinking as well.

Alaina wrote: "Deanie wrote: "

33% [spoilers removed]

55% (End of Part II) [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ 33%, Oh Area X! So confusing."

This whole book is confusing. I understand that the author is doing it deliberately, but while I think that in the second book, he had a lot of confusion that came to a logical ending, I'm now 77% of the way through third book and I'm mostly just confused.

77% (view spoiler)[ At this point, the book is so disjointed, jumping back from story line to story line, that my basic thought is "confusion."
We don't spend enough time with any one set of characters to understand their story. Why is the biologist attacking people from the lighthouse? Why happened to Saul when he was hit with the light? What is the deal with Whitby and his mouse? (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "Alaina wrote: "Deanie wrote: "

33% [spoilers removed]

55% (End of Part II) [spoilers removed]"

Comment @ 33%, Oh Area X! So confusing."

This whole book is confusi..."

Trust me, I felt all of this.

100% (view spoiler)[ Did it ever actually say that Saul the lighthouse keeper and most of his story took place before the first book? I was guessing that it did, but I don't remember knowing definitely. This book was good, but it had the potential to be so much more. It's not "gothic horror" like the book says on the back. It doesn't seem horror-like at all. Just odd sci fi. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "77%..."

Preach, this whole book is just to confuse us.

Chapters 1-2 (view spoiler)[
The hypnosis that the psychologist uses on the other characters is kind of unnerving. I wonder why the spores have made the biologist immune to it now? Also, I have so many questions! What happened to the anthropologist? What is happening to the biologist?? And what happened to her husband??? (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[
I am really enjoying this book so far. I think the pacing has been pretty good. I did add another question to my list though, what happened to the psychologist? I will find out soon enough (hopefully). (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[
I was not expecting the psychologist to still be alive when the biologist reached her. Also, the "suicide button" that was "installed" into the three others by the psychologist is really freaky! I guess that explains what the title means now. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[
I really liked this book (I am also a little confused). The ending was a little anticlimactic because I kind of expected the book going that way, but it was still good. I will most likely read the other ones at some point, although I heard that they are a bit of a letdown. The movie adaptation has also been on my list, and I will definitely move this up my queue now that I have read the book. (hide spoiler)]

I just watched the movie this weekend (didn't like it compared to the book), but now I am definitely interested in continuing this series.