Southern Reach Trilogy | Reading Vlog

[@nyxian_grid]

Merphy has gone to Area X and come undone.

[@simonchirps]

Is this really Merphy? Or Merphy's clone?

[@cherylmccutchan1282]

And I have gone with her!

[@maddiemn623]

I wrote my undergrad thesis on this series for a reason, the Southern Reach is like NOTHING ELSE! thanks for spreading the word Merphy!

[@michaelburke4048]

Did you ever read Roadside Picnic by the Strugatsky Brothers? Just curious.

[@maddiemn623]

@@michaelburke4048 no, but it sounds fascinating! will have to give it a look!

[@michaelburke4048]

@@maddiemn623 I highly recommend it, as well as their other works. A lot of the content is going to look familiar, though they explore it a different way.

Well, "like NOTHING ELSE" sounds a bit overhyped. For me Annihilation reads like a hybrid of Roadside Picnic and Solaris. I've read the first book if only because Merphy's enthusiasm is contagious (and with Three Body Problem she nailed what I most liked about the trilogy), but now, watching the spoiler part of Annihilation in the video, I can see most of the quotations from the book she finds so impressive fall flat with me. I won't be reading the other two books. I would only do it if I thought Annihilation is only a prelude for something deeper and more interesting (as happened with Three Body, again), but most of the opinions I've read say the first book is the best of the three. Sorry to sound a bit jaded here. I think this kind of book (atmospheric, a bit vague plot-wise) may be a kind of Rorschach test that adds a lot to the experience depending on the reader.

[@Brendanstop]

This is literally my favorite trilogy. I'm so glad you've finally read it 😭 I do have a proposition if you're interested. I read it once in the following order (chronological order): Acceptance: every Lighthouse Keeper chapter Acceptance: every Director chapter All of Annihilation Acceptance: Part 2- Fixed Light All of Authority Acceptance: every Ghostbird and Control chapter in order You won't regret it!

[@iotaku80]

making a note to read it in that order

[@merphynapierreviews]

That is such a good idea!

[@simonchirps]

Fixed Light should have been the final chapter of Annihilation! I did not enjoy that book as much as Merphy because the ending seemed too incomplete and Fixed Light fixed that and was the perfect ending to her story.

[@goosefishh]

Currently re reading the trilogy in preparation for Absolution, i love seeing someone nerd out about them as much as i do!

[@wildshegoat-z8h]

I loved all three books. Annihilation I think, takes 1st place only because it's out introduction to Area X. Like the spores, it enters our being and takes us over. And you never forget your first. :) But I did love Authority and Acceptance also. Different vibes, but same ecosystem(s). And each has it's own flavor of fear/creepiness/other worldliness.

[@kyliecrawfishin]

I think this is my all time favorite series. annihilation is a strange dream, the southern reach is nightmarish. loooove love!

[@branwynnemay]

I read these books last year and love love loved them, and then I felt like mostly I was just seeing reviews that didn’t like the books. 😢 It’s so refreshing to hear your joy over them match mine! I think they’re special and extraordinary and I’m so happy you posted this video. ❤

[@merphynapierreviews]

I can understand why they would get very mixed reception. They're wild 😂

[@NaritaZaraki]

The podcast "Unresolved Textual Tension" did two episodes covering the trilogy and it's a great listen/watch! They go quite in-depth discussing/analyzing. They all love it to death but also have very different opinions about certain aspects and they discuss them really well. It's just a delightful listen all around honestly. Highly recommend! ^_^

[@muttineni03]

Ok now I need to bump this up my tbr.

[@jackiefleming4293]

I read Annihilation about 10 years ago and gave it a 1 star. I don’t really remember why I didn’t like it, but your enthusiasm for this book has got me wanting to give it another try to see if I feel any different 10 years later. Here’s hoping 🤞

[@merphynapierreviews]

I hope you enjoy it more this time!

[@JakeStrongvideography]

Id like to know what you thought of it now that you've read it again

[@marcelojorquera8348]

Love your passion, I have read all the books and will re read again because of this.

[@SarahJ70]

I just want to say that Borne (bio tech novel where a woman adopts a strange organism she names Borne) by the same author is even better! Borne is so so good and his novella set in the same world as Borne called the Strange Bird is disturbing and beautiful.

[@merphynapierreviews]

I can't imagine how anything could beat Annihilation but I can't wait to read more of his work

[@Belemrys]

I think you would like Roadside Picnic

[@dina019]

Yes!!! I'm so happy you read the whole trilogy and loved it. Its so refreshing to see people who get why these books are extraordinary. I live on a small island with a big lighthouse and from here you can see another lighthouse on the mainland and some of the descriptions in the trilogy were so eerily similar to the landscapes here my life has never been the same. So Merphy if you ever want to have the most immersive experience re reading those books you should come to the Netherlands in winter 😁

[@cherylmccutchan1282]

I've just finished the series and thought it was absolutely stunning. I give the series a 5 out of 5 stars. Mysterious, creepy, beautiful, far-out science. This series really had it all.

[@emilys5008]

Listening to the audiobook of the first book gave me the chills. It was so good

[@CheeryShine320]

I originally read Annihilation in between tasks when I worked at a book store. I then bought it and waited impatiently for the other 2. Merphy's enthusiasm has inspired me to reread the trilogy before Absolution comes out

[@vvivacious101]

I loved your video, it was so much fun hearing someone discuss this trilogy in this much detail. Spoilers for *The Southern Reach Trilogy* below as I try to give my opinions on your thoughts =) 33:43 I don't believe the rabbits are a clue to the cloning going on in Area X, it is implied that the rabbits just bred like rabbits and are therefore found in great numbers at the border of Area X. I think it's also mentioned that the progeny are white and brown, implying breeding between the white rabbits used in the experiment with the local population of rabbits. But, it is a cool thought. 36:10 I don't remember this well but I think it is implied that the Control's monster is still being drawn. 39:55 I love this observation because I couldn't really figure out what the deal with the mouse was. 43:50 This is such a cool idea. I think this is a valid allegory. 50:50 Saul is the topographical anomaly. In Authority, there is this theory that the border and Area X are separate constructions, that the border came later and Area X came before. Saul triggers Area X. What made the border is still left unanswered. Was the border created by something else for some other reason or did the border just appear once Area X starting getting more established? The topographical anomaly (aka the tower/tunnel/TA) is created when Saul ?dies or is transformed. At the end he is seen driving away from people to a part of the forest no one uses so that he doesn't end up harming more people and that is where the tower is created because the tower is Saul. The implication here is that Saul is the tower and the Crawler or what we understand as the tower and Crawler are actually one entity. 54:00 In Annihilation, it is revealed in the biologist's husband's journal, that he saw a clone of himself in Area X go into the tower even though he was still alive. So, we already know that the person who returned and died was not in fact her husband but a clone of him. Not everyone who returned from Area X is a clone at least I don't think so, it is implied in the text that the director's unauthorised visit before the final eleventh expedition is what causes Area X to retaliate (in a sense) with clones. 57:23 It is implied in Acceptance, that Control's actions changed Area X. In fact, I feel like the border itself might have also gone down, the book ends on a note that seemed to imply to me that Grace and Ghost Bird are headed to find out what happened to the border - does it even exist any longer? Also, my interpretation of the ending is that Area X is no longer functional. I might be very wrong. 58:30 I don't think Lowry is communicating with Area X. From what I understood, Lowry took his phone on his expedition and they have just now recovered the phone from Area X following the unauthorised visit. I interpreted it as an indication that Area X wants to communicate with humanity and that's why the phone keeps returning despite people trying to get rid of it - first with the director and then with Control.

[@pobbityboppity1110]

This series was so good I bought everyone I knew copies for Christmas. My favorite people got the full series in hardcover! Incredible book, strong atmosphere, so much density and thematic material, it knaws at you long after you put it down

[@xkodybarberx]

Just finished the trilogy and was cool going back and watching each part of this video as I was reading

[@Realmisskrose]

I loved the movie and I think you've talked me into reading the books

[@nicholasloftis1913]

absolutely love this series, I had no idea there was a fourth coming! awesome!

[@ummon]

Love it so much when people find these books. It's also worth reading every interview with the author about his experience of writing especially the first book. Definitely one of my all time favorite books ever.

[@someokiedude9549]

She has been converted... Where lies the strangling fruit... A great video...

[@lisagna7234]

I read these five years ago and I still regularly think of certain scenes, especially from authority! This video made me wanna reread these asap

[@sacukel]

Finally someone who loves these books as much as I do! I love Annihilation too but Authority has to be my favorite. As someone who has often worked for multinational corporations, Authority is an absolutely hilarious critique of how large organisations work. Especially coming from Annihilation I could not have been more surprised by how funny - yet terrifying - the book is.

[@stephenkiurski440]

Hello Merphy! Just wanted to say thank you for showcasing these books. I just read all three and like you thought book one was perfect. It reminded me of a modern day Lovecraft story in all the right ways! I need more recommendations for books like these.

[@JeszikaLeVye]

I love listening to your excitement about book 1 as it mirrors so much how I felt - just blown away in love with it and mesmorized by it. It quickly became one of my favorite books I've ever read. I had a similar reaction to book 2. It felt so distinct from book 1 - so much slower and drier - until it wasn't lol. So I think it was hard for me to let go of wanting it to feel like book 1. Book 3 however ended up being my favorite of the trilogy which I didn't expect going into it. I think the way it looped past and present together sort of inverted the claustrophic feeling into an agoraphobic feeling of how small we are in the waves of the cosmos. There were some of the most beautiful passages of writing I've ever read in the third book as well. And over time after reading all three, I've come to love book 2 so much more so as it feels like a really important gateway between 1 and 3. I don't know if I am making any sense - but all this to say - I adore this trilogy. It is my favorite series of all time. It has made me feel more than any other I've ever read - and does in writing what I hope to do with my art. I've been reading more of his books outside this series - the Borne series and I have loved each and every one

[@Akixkisu]

So this is how I learn that there will be a fourth book of a phenomenal series, huh. Nice.

[@yiannis5972]

For anyone interested the channel Unresolved textual tension had made the by far most expansive and comprehensive analysis of this series . It's really worth the watch

[@kelleyeasterling]

This is so far outside my usual genre, but your passion is contagious and I'm going to give this a try!

[@corrinequicksall7045]

i listen to the audiobooks of the trilogy. i fall in love with the first book . i felt like the next two book made me have so many question. i had a wonderful time in Area x. Thank you merphy for the video on the first book.

[@GrandSol]

Too many theories and ideas for one comment so i'll just say that I'm so glad you enjoyed it the whole way through. Can't wait for Absolution. As for overall opinions of the series, I think Annihilation is generally the favorite, and people either feel that the sequels are weaker. Some people even feel that the sequels give too many answers. I'm kind of an outlier since I liked each book more than the last.

[@nazimelmardi]

1 hour long video? We are blessed? Or cursed? 😁 We will see. Let’s goo. 👀

[@billyalarie929]

Blessed, always. The more we get of this length, the better.

[@simonchirps]

Blessed by Area X, and the Brightness that has consumed Merphy.

[@billyalarie929]

MERPHY. Never apologize for losing your absolute SHIT while reviewing one of your favorite books of all time!

[@figthegiant4065]

AAAHHH I’M SO EXCITED TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS- 58:49 OMW I HAD THAT SAME THEORY IN BOOK 1! I can’t remember how I got to it but I had the idea that the expeditions were a means of “feeding” Area X in order to either pacify or assist it Also I’m still working on my analytical skills while reading books so your theories - especially about the plant and the mouse - are absolutely fascinating to hear, and it makes me excited to reread the series soon. But one thing I noticed you didn’t mention was how in book 3 after Ghost Bird and Grace come out of the Tower and everything is different and the border is gone (I think? My memory of the books a bit fuzzy), the writing takes on a lightness and an _optimism_ that was just about never there before. For me that just emphasises Vandermeer’s overall message of the importance of humans learning to live side by side with the natural world or even as a _part_ of it, rather than seeing it as something other to us that should be opposed

[@viinaart]

I finished Acceptance for the first time last night, so I can finally watch this whole thing, yippie!

[@Neko123Uchiha]

I read the series because of the video game "Control" (the name checks out lol) and really enjoyed it as well! Like before, I cannot recommend Borne by VanderMeer enough. Loved that book

[@Tetheredpencil]

I'm so happy to be finding out you love it! I have been following your channel for a while but I am mostly into Sci-fi. I have been working on alternate book covers as part of my art portfolio (trying to become an illustrator). I finished the Annihilation cover recently. I'm going to be reading more of VanderMeer as well.

[@DefinitelyNotAnUndercoverCop]

From the initial description it sounds soooo much like the SCP universe in case anyone doesn't know look it up it's basically a bunch of writers making stories about monsters and the secret society that hunts them. Some are incredibly written stories while others are clearly written by 10 year olds that want to be a part of it either way a really fun time it also inspired one of my favorite games Control, even more fun lol

[@ErimlRGG]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm finishing House of Leaves because of it being the inspiration for a lot of the Remedy videogame universe and this was also recommended. Hopefully I can finish it this week and start this series

[@dannygillespie6614]

I've been waiting for this one! I devoured Annihilation and then agonized my way at a snails pace through Authority. It got better toward the end. Acceptance is still on the TBR but will read soon.

[@Samakain]

Oh hell yes, I remember grabbing the audiobook for this a while ago and not being able to take it out of my ears until it was done. I cannot wait to hear what you have to say about it.

[@BonafideFaygo]

I read the two years ago and LOVED it. it's something i keep thinking about, and im glad there's someone on booktube who appreciates it. I would recommend once some time has passed to what the movie adaptation of the first book. Forewarning, it is different and not beat for beat, but i think it reallt successfully captures the vibe of the book really well. The claustrophobia, the atmosphere, the sort of beautiful horror that comes from nature that is just a tad bit off. Would recommend

[@cybersekkin]

If you like this you might also like The Ruins. Although The Ruins really is the stuff of nightmares.

[@debhanzlik540]

I read this years ago and watched the movie and I will admit I was baffled, still am 😳 but after this I’m going to reread take my time and let it sink in 😊 because now I’m more curios than ever.

[@ethane61306]

I’m so glad you did this video! I loved the first book and did not know what to make of the other two books when I read them a couple of years ago. Honestly I’ll probably need to watch this video again to really take everything in. Annihilation was amazing and I have it on my shelf. I couldn’t get into the storytelling of the others, even though I knew they would be different from the first. I really struggled with the tediousness of Authority, but hearing you talk about all of the clues seeded in makes me want to give it another read with a fresh perspective. And I might as well reread the whole trilogy if a fourth book is coming soon.

[@arthurweise2573]

This series sounds like some existential book I read in the late 60's that I can't remember. 😵‍💫 And if area x is about terraforming earth it is taking a hell of a long time!

[@Rairiky]

Just watched made in abyss and was wondering what could have a similar flavor and this looks like it! You know it's special when merphy is this giddy now I want to get it

[@Mathue360]

Added to my very long tbr. Love the channel

[@lordshavron]

I've been waiting for this! I love your takes on lots of this and I think you understood it better than I did. I'm honestly probably due for a reread, especially with a fourth book coming! If you don't mind walking away with a "What did I just read?" feeling check out VanderMeer's books Bourne and Dead Astronauts. I would love to hear your thoughts on those two books.

[@bigEcatMan]

I'm 67 years old and have read a lot of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative fiction, and by far- the Southern Reach Trilogy is my favorite of all time. Pretty much anything Vandermeer writes will go to the top.

[@TheWetCatFish]

I ALSO JUST DISCOVERED THIS TRILOGY THIS YEAR AND HAD THE SAME REACTION I’ve since done a huge deep dive into new weird authors and now I must implore you to read more Vandermeer (Ambergris and Borne) and China Mieville (Embassytown and Perdido St Station)

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I’ve heard such amazing things about this trilogy!

[@JohnAnderssonSWE]

I 100% agree! Annihilation is my favorite sci fi book of all time (along with Absolution Gap by Alastair Reynolds) and... wait what! A 4th book is on the way? Anyway, because you liked this trilogy, you might want to check out "Amatka" by Karin Tidbeck. Thanks for the content!

[@dianaayt]

Fine, Merphy. You win. I'll get them from the library next time I go there. I better like it, otherwise I would like my refund😂

[@ceric5837]

Back in 2015, Jeff Vandermeer wrote a great essay in The Atlantic called From Annihilation to Acceptance: A Writer's Surreal Journey about how he wrote the series. The essay is unfortunately paywalled, but is worth a read (The Atlantic does offer a free trial). The Southern Reach books are some of my wife's and my favorites.

[@ummon]

Definitely read the books first, but this essay is amazing.

[@mecahhannah]

Awesome as always thanks ❤ Can't wait to read it now just got it!

[@notrixamoris3318]

KUDOS!!! Happy you enjoy it Merpht...

[@aquariusrabbitfamiliar85]

Is another book coming out? I have GOT to reread these now. This blog is making me want to. lol. I forgot so much!

[@Blackhobbit86]

I had only loved the first book. The second book was okay. The third I had hated. I'm glad that you had liked it. I might reread one day.

[@rainydaygray4880]

You need to read his book, Borne. Also incredible! ❤

[@cherylmccutchan1282]

Annihilation has been on my TBR for about 6 months. I'm moving it up now!

[@xtieburn]

This is tempting me to re-read the first book, perhaps I will along with the other two currently out and that I didnt get to. (I did enjoy the book first time through, though much preferred the film and the amazing way it used the medium to get over its themes.)

[@Mariecg2001]

I've read the first and second book years ago (the third was not out yet at the time) and even if I was intrigued, I did not love them. But you have convinced me to revist them.

[@FrescoXL]

Okay, now I'm really excited to read these lol I've only read "Borne" and "The Strange Bird" from Jeff VanderMeer and I thought those were good.

[@michaelburke4048]

I would hate to think the first book I publish is my magnum opus and everything is downhill from there. I've done my best to make the first book in my trilogy unputdownable, but I've also attempted to make each one better, building on what made the first one great, and keeping the revelations coming. I can only imagine that Jeff VanderMeer felt the same way when he published his.

[@trojansc]

Well looks like I'm going to hit this up asap!

[@pocketfullofponder]

I am also truly obsessed with Annihilation.

[@cybersekkin]

I saw the show a while ago and only after you described the story did I think, "wait this sounds familiar..." Still the book sounds better than the movie I saw.

[@edwinleskin3112]

Love this trilogy so much

[@Shiny_Infinity]

this feels very scp esque and reminds me of there is no antimemetics division a story about a group of scientist trying to combat anti-memes things that remove knowledge of their own existence for example an item that can only be described and remembered in negatives and wacky things like that

[@nimthiriel9]

I'll be back to enjoy the spoilers after I read these books.

[@cardboardwetsuit]

It's interesting to find out that a book can be considered perfect by Merphy even though it contains the word "undulating"... lol!!

[@simonchirps]

49:55 I never thought we would get his POV and I definitely never expected him to be my favorite character in the series! It never occured to me your theory about what caused the border. I definitely did think L was on the side of Area X from some of what we learned in book 2. Is he really the original or his clone though?

[@moby517839]

16:07 no Murphy, she was speaking specifically to you. Your name was actually in the first printing that I got, but they removed it in later editions...

[@merphynapierreviews]

😂

[@Avzigoyhbasilsikos]

Roadside picnic is a book I’ll recommend

[@1603holly]

Probably not recency bias; I read this for the first time almost 10 years ago, and I still think it is a perfect book! It is so good, and I think it is on its way to becoming a classic.

[@cubegirl97]

I don’t know if you are aware but there is a 4th book coming out in October

[@2tonesg]

I think you would like Vandermeer’s Borne.

[@Montie-Adkins]

We tend to find a character to sympathize with, I think usually the primary. With a book like this, where this women is searching for what happened to her husband do you see yourself playing the role and your husband in the role of the book's husband? Or do you always allow for the separation and you are just seeing them as the characters they are, utterly separate entities from yourself?

[@AikenFrost]

*To this day* I still don't know if I loved or if I hated this trilogy... Maybe it's time I gave it a new read.

[@jaybowersii5689]

I know there was a movie for the first book in 2018 just called Annihilation... it had good critic reviews but lower audience scores. Dunno if it is any good as I have not seen it. Maybe you'd enjoy ripping apart a movie based on a new favorite book 😄

[@pobbityboppity1110]

That movie is a great adaption and a beautiful film. Unfortunately movies can’t seem to get away with abstract visuals and confusing plot beats as well as books can. It’s a little more of a difficult movie than average.

[@rextitan]

Thas a good thumbnail!

[@Patoshlenain]

I think the word you were looking for @4:45 was "existential" horror

[@R3DHawk42]

After your previous reading vlogs talking about Annihilation I decided to give the series a try. I've just come back to watch this video now that I have finished the entire series. I feel like the series was very average-not bad per say-but not mind-blowingly outstanding either. Usually your recommendations are on point with my literature tastes, but this one was not it... That being said, I will be reading book 4 because I do want some sort of answer...

[@_Mike.85]

Love this series. You're making me wanna read them again! Did you ever watch the movie adaptation of Annihilation with Natalie Portman?

[@merphynapierreviews]

I haven’t!

[@stephielee5106]

​@@merphynapierreviews I think I actually like the movie better!! But that also might be because I watched the movie first and then read the book. There are differences between the movie and the first book. But visually? It's beautiful and I think the movie is even stranger than the book, and also does a good job of building that suspense between the women while some are questioning whether the other person is going crazy or not. But I think the changes worked for the better because of the media it was portrayed in. I haven't read the rest of the books yet so I'm not sure if they took aspects of the other books and put them into the movie or not? Because there's scenes in the movie that weren't in the 1st book at all. But instead of a "journal" it's done like she's in an interview and is telling the events that happened... But I thought that was a good "movie-way" to portray the journal aspect of the book... I highly recommend watching it!!! I think it's still on Netflix.

[@_Mike.85]

well, now you should! 😅 @@merphynapierreviews

[@Mightyjordy]

I read Annihilation a few months back and thought the sense of tension and paranoia of it was masterful, but I honestly did not like the plot all that much. Theres a good chance I missed something, but it seems like there were a dozen questions raised and the answers were not incredibly satisfying. In fact i think they call attention to the fact that we shouldnt need satisfying answers, but i do. I definitely see why people like it, but i dont think its for me.

[@pobbityboppity1110]

The plot is all there, you’ve gotta dig a little bit for it and think a little bit to piece the parts together.

[@Mightyjordy]

@@pobbityboppity1110 are the answers the in book 1 and I missed them or are they in the other books?

[@gryftkin]

Not watching the whole thing because I haven't read the entire trilogy, but did you watch the movie?

[@dianaayt]

I finished book 1 and right in the begging it says smt like "after 2 days only the topologist was alive" so I was expecting that but that was not true! And not I'm so confused why it said that"

[@coreymack6208]

I got to finish my Sprawl Trilogy first 😣

[@christhewritingjester3164]

How you felt after book 3 is how my wife and I felt after watching the movie. "What did we just watch?" Have you (or anyone) seen the movie? How would you compare them?

[@pobbityboppity1110]

Murphy Napier, is your house in order?

[@kateyo5039]

for someone whose first language is not english, what would be your fantasy series recommendation

[@rachelspencer9456]

🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡

[@arthurweise2573]

This third book was written 10 years ago and no sequel yet?????

[@prico3358]

Is this the natalie portman movie? I havent seen it.

[@jacquesigerist962]

Check out the movie. Best sci-fi horror movie ever made (minus the Alien franchise)

[@keravnos2231]

Better than lies of lock lamora ?

[@anthonym.7653]

Really good trilogy overall. But the books decrease in quality as you go. Annihilation 5 ⭐ Authority 4 ⭐ Acceptance 3.5 ⭐

[@georgek5737]

I have only read Annihilation and Authority so far and i would rate both at 4 ⭐ For me there isn't much difference between them in terms of quality

[@barbarasusej]

Isn't this a movie with Natalie Portman?