Annihilation

by Jeff Vandermeer
Annihilation cover
Good Books rating 3.6
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 4545
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780007550708
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 2014-02-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Annihilation is the first volume of the critically acclaimed Southern Reach Trilogy, a modern classic that has captivated readers with its haunting atmosphere and thought-provoking exploration of the unknown. The story follows a group of scientists who enter the enigmatic Area X, a place where the laws of nature seem to have broken down, and nothing is as it appears. As they delve deeper into this mysterious zone, they encounter phenomena that challenge their understanding of reality and their own identities. /n/nThe novel is not just a thrilling adventure but also a profound meditation on the human psyche and the limits of scientific inquiry. It has been praised for its atmospheric prose and its ability to create a sense of unease and wonder. The film adaptation, directed by Alex Garland and starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, has brought this unsettling tale to a wider audience, further cementing its status as a contemporary masterpiece.

Reviews
Elitist Book Reviews · Writer Dan · 2018-03-16
intriguing 3.00

The book is praised for its unique setting and clinical descriptions of characters. The reviewer appreciates the weirdness and imagery but finds the plot somewhat lacking.

Writer Dan from Elitist Book Reviews commends the book for its unique setting and the clinical descriptions of the characters, which add a layer of intrigue to the story. The weirdness and imagery are particularly noteworthy, creating a vivid and unsettling atmosphere. However, the reviewer finds the plot somewhat lacking, which slightly detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, the book is still considered a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    I loved the setting, the writing style, the more or less clinical descriptions of the characters, the weirdness, the imagery, and the plot.

    The plot is somewhat lacking.

    A good book, but not a great one.

The Guardian · 2014-03-05
chilling 4.00

The book creates an unsettling atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. The characters' doomed enterprise and the eerie descriptions of Area X make for a chilling experience.

The Guardian's review highlights the immediate sense of doom that permeates the narrative from the very first page. The characters' equipment is described as nonsensical or inadequate, setting the stage for their inevitable failure. The eerie and unsettling descriptions of Area X create a pervasive sense of dread that lingers throughout the book. The reviewer emphasizes how this atmosphere keeps readers afraid to turn the page, making it a truly chilling experience.

Quick quotes

    On the first page we are told that the women's enterprise is doomed.

    Their equipment is either nonsensical, or inadequate, or antiquated.

    You'll find yourself afraid to turn the page.

Goodreads · 2014-02-04
atmospheric 3.80

The book is highly praised for its unique and eerie atmosphere. The reviewer appreciates the well-crafted narrative and the sense of mystery that permeates the story.

Goodreads reviewers consistently highlight the unique and eerie atmosphere of the book, which sets it apart from other works in the genre. The narrative is well-crafted, with a sense of mystery that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. The reviewer appreciates the meticulous attention to detail and the way the story unfolds, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the last page. The book is highly recommended for those who enjoy thought-provoking and atmospheric science fiction.

Quick quotes

    Area X has been cut off from the rest of the world for decades.

    The narrative is well-crafted, with a sense of mystery that keeps readers engaged.

    A sense of unease that lingers long after the last page.

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