CBR15 BINGO ( In the Wild Square: Set in an unknown apocalyptic (?) wilderness. Scientists sent to explore.)
For some as yet unexplained reason, a portion of the world called Area X has been blocked off from civilization. After several decades, a new ecosystem has taken over full of marshes and wildlife. To study the phenomenon, multiple expeditions of scientists have crossed over the border to map the area and take samples. Most of the scientists never returned and those few who did were husks of their past selves and riddled with cancers that killed them shortly after leaving Area X.
This is book one in The Southern Reach Trilogy and follows Expedition Twelve. An all-female cohort consisting of a psychologist, surveyor, anthropologist, and the story’s narrator, a biologist. They soon uncover a strange landmark not indicated on the maps made by previous expeditions. Too large to have gone unnoticed by their predecessors, the landmark becomes an irresistible puzzle to solve.
A little book packed with a lot of weird shenanigans. A strange, dangerous border that needs to be crossed under hypnosis. A palpable landscape that is both beautiful and repellent. A psychologist who may no more than she is letting on and moaning sounds that emanate from the wetlands every night after dark.
Since it is the first in a series, you will find more questions than answers here. Vandermeer does a great job of creating an atmosphere that is both familiar and otherworldly. Think space meets Jurassic Park meets Planet of the Apes. Kind of. Honestly, it’s hard to describe but it was a solid start to what I’m hoping is a great trilogy.
