Welcome to Litsy!

(2004) I adored Perdido Street Station and loved The Scar, so even though I had heard that Book 3 was the weakest in the series I still went in with high expectations. And there's much to admire here: Miéville's imagination is fertile as ever, and the fantastical settings and creatures are terrific. But at heart it wants to be a social-realist (-surrealist?) novel about The Revolution, and the characters all feel more like tools than living beings

Here are my #BookSpin and #DoubleSpin books for July. I've been meaning to read Iron Council for a very long time but every time its turn comes up something else jumps in front. So, apparently July 2025 is when its turn comes first. I know almost nothing about Brighter than Scale Swifter than Flame except its author, which is reason enough. July is gonna be goood.

Thanks @theAromaofBooks !

Immersive, as all of the Southern Reach books have been, and confusing, but perhaps less so than the third book, this fourth book of the trilogy doesn't really do it for me. Maybe I should have re-read the first three before reading this one. Or maybe a trilogy by definition doesn't need a fourth book. That said, Bronson Pinchot does a fantastic job on the narration, especially with the f-bomb-laden last section. #tob25longlist

My Scar reading has sped up, because it's going well so far. Here's 2 things I've thought about this morning:
1) this book could pull the exact same twist that Perdido Street Station did, with Tanner. Please don't, book.
2) hearing about the different lands makes me think very strongly of the Wayward Children series

I read Perdido Street Station 9 years ago, and I found a reveal in it so off-putting that I have read any Miéville since. However, I want to try listening to a podcast (shocking!) and their first topic is The Scar, so, with trepidation, I'm reading it. Slowly.

VanderMeer and his Southern Reach series is a study in the surreal. This installment is the ‘prequel‘. We start a point that still has anchor between Area X and the ‘lost coast‘ (Florida area, I think). We start with spies and gators and the creeping distortions of another universe. We are then transitioned into the spear provoking the events of Annihilation and beyond. Excellent. Must read other books before to fully enjoy this one.

Anyone reading this has probably already read the first three Southern Reach novels and so has some idea what to expect: a trippy mind-bending story, this time set in the days before the Forgotten Coast became known as Area X. It was a fascinating read, but I have to admit the first thing I did after closing it was to find a reddit thread discussing what it all might mean. Immersive and vivid, but not a light read!

⭐️⭐️ The #SouthernReachTrilogy did not need a “surprise 4th volume.” The final section was an utterly ridiculous stream of consciousness with what felt like 2000 f-bombs. The story got lost in f*cks. Literally. Truly a bad artistic choice. Additionally, I‘m no less confused now than I was after reading the original trilogy. Unsuccessful expeditions, weird rabbits, cryptic eyes, word-writing moss. I don‘t care about Area X anymore.

Not sure if it was me or the book? It has some strong moments, especially the bunnies or the last story, but was also dry and did not engage me over long(er) periods. To me it wasn't as strong as the first three books. But at least the book itself is a beauty.
If you have read the Southern Reach trilogy you can read this book, but don't have to. If you're unfamiliar with the trilogy, I would start there first.