Authority (The Southern Reach Trilogy)

Published Feb. 14, 2001 by Fourth Estate Ltd.

ISBN:: 978-0-00-813911-7

(2 reviews)

For thirty years, a secret agency called the Southern Reach has monitored expeditions into Area X, a remote and lush terrain mysteriously sequestered from civilization. After the twelfth expedition, the Southern Reach is in disarray, and John Rodriguez is the team's newly appointed head. From a series of interrogations, a cache of hidden notes, and more than two hundred hours of profoundly troubling video footage, the secrets of Area X begin to reveal themselves.

8 editions

Johnny reviewed Authority (The Southern Reach Trilogy) by Jeff VanderMeer

A perfectly executed change of scenery

5 stars

Despite being completely different from the first entry in terms of setting and protagonist, this worked perfectly as the continuation of the story. It was a contrast to other aspects of the first book, too: whereas Annihilation was intentionally built to be impersonal, distant from the characters (except the protagonist), Authority is the exact opposite in being all about the relationships between the protagonist and other characters. Inside of Area X vs. outside of Area X.

Again, this was excellently written, and, despite (or maybe because of) being outside of Area X this time, it was just as eerie as the first one!

sifuCJC reviewed Authority by Jeff VanderMeer (Southern Reach, #2)

A respite, then a continuation

3 stars

I was definitely engaged in the beginning. The confusing nature of the first book gave emotion to the investigation of Area X. This second book also ended well, a nice cliff-hanger toward the final story. But in the middle I got lost twice.

In plot, you can have confusing or dream-like parts. Similarly in the text, you can get poetic. VanderMeer tries both at the same time, walking a thin line. Of course I think this is done on purpose, mirroring the border line of Area X, amorphous and drifting. But when I as a reader cross it, this means I have lost communication. I then have to skim past words until I can pick up the narrative again.

I will continue on to see how the trilogy ends though.