One thing I did not foresee happening this year was the release of a new entry in Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach series. Announced back in April, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of “Absolution,” the fourth novel in what was originally a trilogy. Now available on shelves, this latest installment takes readers back to the origins of Area X and the doomed initial expeditions to explore its mysteries. For those unfamiliar with the series, it revolves around a peculiar coastal region in the US that has been inexplicably sealed off by an unseen barrier, reverting to a primal state. A covert government organization is tasked with investigating it, but those who venture in either never return or return changed. With “Annihilation,” “Authority,” and “Acceptance” as predecessors, the addition of a prequel a decade later offers a fresh perspective on the enigmatic Area X. While “Absolution” may not tie up all loose ends, it delves into the early days of the anomaly and the viewpoints of pivotal characters like Lowry. This hefty volume, split into three novella-like parts and nearly 500 pages long, satisfies the thirst for more exploration into the enigmatic Area X.
