Absolution (VanderMeer novel)

2024 novel by Jeff VanderMeer

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Absolution

Author| Jeff VanderMeer
Language| English
Series| Southern Reach series
Genre|

* Science fiction
* horror
* weird fiction

Publisher| Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Publication date

| October 2024
Publication place| United States
Media type| Print
Pages| 464
ISBN| 978-0-374-61659-5
Preceded by| Acceptance

Absolution is a 2024 novel by Jeff VanderMeer, and the fourth entry in the Southern Reach Series. It is both a prequel and sequel to the Southern Reach Series.

## Background

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The three previous books in the Southern Reach series were written and published within the span of a few months in 2014, and VanderMeer only started thinking about writing Absolution in 2017. VanderMeer claims that the idea for Absolution's plot came to him almost fully formed on 31 July 2023, at which point he wrote continuously until 31 December. He then submitted it to his publisher, who accelerated pre-production steps to shorten the time until it was released.[1]

In the days leading up to the publishing of Absolution, VanderMeer was forced to evacuate from his home in Tallahassee, Florida, due to Hurricane Helene, mirroring the themes of systemic environmental events in Absolution and other books in the series.[2]

## Plot

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A team of biologists explore the region that is to become Area X in order to study local alligators. The team then is attacked by a pack of carnivorous rabbits with cameras on their back. The biologists become insane, and encounter a paranormal entity that attacks them. The government then covers up the incident.

The book then focuses on Old Jim, a local bar owner and a member of the Central agency, who is sent to investigate the expedition and a group of occultists performing experiments in the lighthouse.

Finally, the book details Central's first doomed expedition into the newly awakened Area X. Among their members is Lowry, who later oversees Central's operations in the Southern Reach.

## Reception

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Absolution received positive reviews from critics.[3][4] The Washington Post praised Absolution, stating that despite low expectations, it maintained the same quality as the original trilogy. They note that the book managed to overcome the common issue of horror becoming less effective in longer works.[4] The New York Times generally praised the novel, stating that the opening sections were "some of VanderMeer's best writing."[3] The Los Angeles Times positively compared the horror and grief depicted in the book to the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch,[5] and the Boston Globe described the book as "maddening, haunting, and compelling."[6]

## References

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1. ^ Webster, Andrew (October 21, 2024). "'I woke up and had the whole idea in my head': returning to Area X with Jeff VanderMeer". The Verge. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
2. ^ Chilukuri, Siri (October 22, 2024). "This climate author wrote a hurricane into his new novel. Then he had to flee from one". Mother Jones. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
3. ^ a b Nevala-Lee, Alec (October 22, 2024). "Jeff VanderMeer Returns to the Uncanny World of Area X". New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
4. ^ a b Keiser, Jess (October 22, 2024). "This horror novel will truly scare you — for all the right reasons". Washington Post. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
5. ^ Berry, Lorraine (October 12, 2024). "What happens when humans confront a form of nature with no rational order?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
6. ^ Keeley, Matthew (October 23, 2024). "In 'Absolution,' VanderMeer returns to Area X and things get very weird". Boston Globe. Retrieved October 25, 2024.

## External links

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* The first chapter of Absolution on Wired
* The second chapter of Absolution on Reactor Magazine

* v
* t
* e

Works by Jeff VanderMeer

Novels|

* Veniss Underground (2003)
* Shriek: An Afterword (2006)
* Finch (2009)
* Southern Reach Series
* Annihilation (2014)
* Authority (2014)
* Acceptance (2014)
* Absolution (2024)
* Borne (2017)
* Dead Astronauts (2019)
* A Peculiar Peril (2020)
* Hummingbird Salamander (2021)

Short story collections|

* City of Saints and Madmen (2001)

Anthologies edited|

* The Thackery T. Lambshead Pocket Guide to Eccentric & Discredited Diseases (2003)
* Steampunk (2008)
* The Weird (2012)
* The Time Traveler's Almanac (2014)

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