Karen Joy Fowler’s intro for Annihilation celebrates a modern classic
As a lifelong avid reader and a connoisseur of speculative fiction, I find myself utterly captivated by Jeff VanderMeer’s masterpiece, “Annihilation.” This book is not for the faint-hearted or those who seek easy answers; instead, it challenges our preconceived notions about humanity’s relationship with nature and our own limitations as individuals.
In a remarkable turn of events, Jeff VanderMeer’s 2014 novel “Annihilation” revolutionized storytelling swiftly. It was the initial installment in the Southern Reach trilogy and introduced readers to Area X, an enigmatic, indescribable location that baffles every scientific effort to understand it. The narrative unfolds around the 12th expedition to investigate Area X, led by four anonymous women, which concludes disastrously.
Using “Annihilation,” “Authority,” and “Acceptance,” VanderMeer created the ultimate climate change speculative fiction trilogy. This series skillfully combined elements of weird fiction and eco-horror, offering a unique and chilling reading experience. As autumn approaches, prepare yourself for even more strangeness as VanderMeer returns to the Southern Reach with “Absolution.”
To mark the 10th anniversary of Area X, along with the upcoming release of Absolution, the original Southern Reach trilogy is being republished with striking new cover art and fresh introductions penned by renowned authors. Below, you’ll find the first introduction, written by Karen Joy Fowler for Annihilation – a tribute to one of the most enigmatic and intriguing settings to captivate readers in recent memory.
Transforming unknowable boundaries as the limit of comprehension demonstrates great wisdom. Those who fail to achieve this will perish, like pieces being shaped on the wheel of destiny.
—Zhuangzi (as translated by Ursula K. Le Guin)
Over the course of my reading years, mimetic realism was generally appreciated as the preferred style in literature by critics, commentators, and academics. On the other hand, works of fantasy – stories that emphasize the author’s imagination over real-life experiences – have been met with suspicion, often considered juvenile, escapist, or lacking depth or well-developed characters. Strangely, these assumptions seldom held true, but they didn’t seem to influence their reception much. Thankfully, this perception is gradually shifting.
Throughout my life, I’ve had an enduring fascination with the imaginary, but it wasn’t until maturity that I realized my enjoyment was heavily influenced by the setting. It turns out that fantastical tales can unfold anywhere without restrictions. Some of the stories that captivated me at a pivotal moment in this realization include “Venice Drowned” by Kim Stanley Robinson, where the story is set underwater in the submerged city of Venice; “The Edge of the World” by Michael Swanwick, which takes place at the edge of the map, where it was once believed ships could sail off the world’s end; and “This Shape We’re In” by Jonathan Lethem, whose setting, in a surprising twist (spoiler alert), is revealed to be the colossal inside of the Trojan horse. Although these stories excel in all other aspects, it is their imaginative locations that spark an electric sensation in my mind first and foremost.
Area X, a fresh part of an extensive and captivating landscape, offers a detailed and imaginative setting. The storyline of the novel ‘Annihilation‘ may seem familiar at first glance – a band of explorers ventures into uncharted territory, leading to dangerous journeys. This initial feeling might be one of comfort due to its recognizability. However, it’s more than just similar; it’s a classic plot, reminiscent of tales like ‘King Solomon’s Mines‘, ‘Lost Horizon‘, and ‘The Man Who Would Be King‘.
The feeling of familiarity won’t persist for long. You’ll quickly realize that you’re stepping into someone else’s creative world. If we follow John Gardner’s idea that great writing is a vivid and uninterrupted dream, then reading Annihilation starts to feel like a surreal experience instead.
In the initial installment of VanderMeer’s extensive and skillfully crafted series (currently at four books), we don’t know much about Area X due to its mysterious boundary that isolates it from the rest of the world. Any contact with those who resided in the area before has been severed, along with the people themselves.
Multiple attempts have been undertaken to investigate and chart Area X, with various missions dispatched by the enigmatic organization called the Southern Reach. Regrettably, each of these earlier missions ended in catastrophe. It’s a mystery why the Southern Reach keeps trying to explore Area X, as very little is known about them at this time. For now, much remains a secret concerning the Southern Reach.
*
As a captivated admirer, I can’t help but mention one intriguing aspect of Area X – an ancient lighthouse, marked and traced by past explorations, seemingly the battlefield of some horrific conflict. Another enigmatic element, yet to be charted, serves as a kind of counterpart to this lighthouse; my fellow travelers call it a tunnel, but I insists on referring to it as a tower, despite its peak lying flat on the ground and stairs descending instead of ascending. This divergence in perspective between myself and my companions sets the stage for tension that only intensifies as we delve deeper into this mysterious landscape.
The most compelling feature of the tower is written on its walls. Words appear there, sentences in English, which seem to be biological, fungal in nature. The sentences have a quasi-Biblical cadence, and the words almost make sense, but not quite. The tower seems to breathe and may be alive.
Beyond these two notable traits, Area X is predominantly untamed wilderness, a puzzling expanse that seems to offer limitless possibilities. Though the reader might feel lost along with the narrator, the narrative proves captivatingly immersive. VanderMeer’s portrayals are rich in detail – encompassing sounds, sights, creatures, and vegetation – all brought to life vividly through his evocative descriptions and writing style.
In this setting, every aspect holds captivating allure – crumbling structures, intriguing insects, waterways, dolphins, stairs, rocks. This piece calls for a vivid alertness from the reader, a lively involvement mirroring the vibrancy of the text itself. The rich details serve as anchors in a tale fraught with mysteries and questions. Though we may be unsure about what transpires or why, our location is always crystal clear.
The general ambiance of Area X exudes an awe-inspiring bounty. The scenery is both stunning and perilous, as nature often is. However, this profusion seems menacing; it appears ready to engulf. Area X appears to be undergoing a form of rebirth that seems to involve the obliteration of all signs of human influence. Intriguingly, Area X now seems to leave its imprint on those who venture within, rather than the other way around. This imprint may or may not prove fatal, but it is always transformative.
*
As a gamer delving into this narrative, I can’t help but notice the recurring symbols like lighthouses and towers, and the enigmatic nature of the adventuring group without distinct names. It’s easy to be drawn towards interpreting these elements as allegories. However, I believe that’s a futile pursuit. While it’s possible to decode references, there are numerous other interpretations that could also fit. Trying to find a ‘key’ won’t enrich or clarify the text.
One primary focus of the book is exploring the correct balance between humans and nature. Throughout history, humans have felt superior and dominant in our interactions with the world, forgetting that we are not exempt from its dangers. We share the planet with other top predators, yet nature does not owe us protection. Furthermore, we face threats such as diseases, natural disasters, and other hazards, both big and small. Our tendency to flee at the sight of wild animals has led us to believe that we stand above the natural world. However, in Area X, such assumptions are futile. This place does not cater to human presumptions; instead, it challenges them.
In the book, ambiguity permeates throughout, serving as a recurring theme. This ambiguity envelops not only the mysterious and enigmatic environment of Area X, but also the intricate human interactions on both sides of the border. The narrator’s thoughts and observations are questionable, even to herself. Despite her efforts to be trustworthy and helpful, she can’t fully trust her own past or present identity. She questions whether others share her perceptions. In fact, she often doubts if she is truly perceiving what she believes she is.
On the tower’s walls, the words serve as a symbol of ambiguity. Readers hope for clarity, longing to understand their significance, to decipher a coherent message from these seemingly clear words. Yet, the mystery remains: are these words meant to convey a meaning at all?
*
It’s surprising how much we still don’t know about our world and even our own bodies, despite centuries of exploration and investigation. No book illustrates this point better – that our understanding is at best incomplete and often incorrect. Despite countless experiments, observations, and attempts at explanation, the world remains largely enigmatic to us. We can construct logical stories that seem plausible, even predictable, but these are merely theories. To believe we have achieved, or ever will achieve, absolute clarity over our world, let alone control it, is a gross overestimation of our abilities. Desiring certainty is yet another manifestation of human arrogance.
In many instances, it’s essential for us to take action, despite our limited knowledge. We acknowledge our ignorance, but we still find ourselves needing to move forward.
This is a clear imperative regarding the climate crisis, but it is also a fair assessment of the enduring, eternal human condition. Decisions have always been made with incomplete information and history is littered with examples of actions based on beliefs that were not so much incomplete as preposterous.
Embracing the reality of unpredictability is an essential part of maturity. This novel, titled “Annihilation,” is tailored for readers who have embraced that reality.
The environmental crisis we’re facing is subtly yet significantly woven into this remarkable and imaginative novel. Perhaps the most pressing question for humanity today – how to coexist harmoniously with our planet – continues to be relevant and may even grow more so. As such, a book like Annihilation, which deals so potently and poignantly with this topic, seems destined to remain timely for many years ahead.
As a devoted reader and writer of science fiction myself, I have come across numerous books that leave me in awe, but none quite like Jeff VanderMeer’s “Annihilation.” The novel, originally published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2014, is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. Now, as we approach its 10th anniversary with the release of the paperback edition by MCD / Picador in 2024, I am eager to delve back into this captivating story.
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2024-07-30 22:49