Annihilation is the first book of the Southern Reach Trilogy, written by Jeff VanderMeer. The book was published on February 2013 by Ferrar, Straus and Giroux and was later adapted into a film of the same name. It was followed by two sequels, Authority and Acceptance, over an 8-month period, with at least one more sequel, Absolution, currently in the works.
Plot Summary[]
- Main article: Twelfth expedition
"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 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."
Characters[]
A key characteristic of Annihilation is that its small cast of characters are not named or given physical descriptions. They are usually referred to by their respective roles in the expedition.
- The Biologist - The main character of the book and its narrator. Smart and analytical, her motivation to join the expedition comes from her interest in understanding the nature of Area X and a fascination with transitional ecosystems.
- The Psychologist - The leader of the 12th expedition. Calm and always in control, could she know more about the mission than she lets on?
- The Surveyor - A strong-willed, bold ex-military, she provides tactical knowledge for the expedition.
- The Anthropologist - Previously an architect, she was chosen her grasp on history and man-made objects and structures.
- The Linguist - Having quit just before the 12th expedition starts, the team is left with a gap in abilities that may prove challenging.
Trivia[]
- The inspiration for Annihilation, Area X, and other features and locations in the trilogy were at least partly inspired by "a 14 mile (23 km) hike through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge," located in northwestern Florida.
Gallery[]
English editions[]
International editions[1][]
References[]
- ↑ The International Covers of The Southern Reach Trilogy, FSGWorkInProgress
| MEDIA |
|---|
| Books Annihilation • Authority • Acceptance • Absolution |
| Compilations Area X: The Southern Reach Trilogy |
| Adaptations Annihilation (movie) |