r/SouthernReach

I’ve got special access to the publisher, as in I broke in and read Abdication last night (walls were breathing in the underground lair where they keep the manuscript??? probably nothing)

Anyway I was shocked to discover that the cat Chorrykins is a major, if not THE central figure, in the novel. Chorrykins sections are told in a hyper-lucid first person POV with all feline pronouns, lot of descriptions of various bugs Chorry hunts. Huge spoiler: the finale involves finally defeating Area X by turning it into its true original intention: a massive interdimensional litterbox.

Riveting!

Howdy! Random moment to post this when the books and movie have been out for so long, but I've been really enjoying reading Annihilation again with the movie soundtrack, so I wanted to recommend the experience.

I recommend Plant People for most of the book. It captures the general atmosphere of the book so well in audio form.

For moments where you feel something scary is going to happen, particularly when walking back from the lighthouse to return to the surveyor, The Alligator is excellent.

Finally, when the Biologist decides to go back into the tower at night, The Alien is incredibly fitting.

I found these tracks, through headphones, on loop, for the scenes above dramatically increased the immersion I experienced. I honestly think those specific moments could have even inspired those particular tracks. They just seem absolutely spot on.

Enjoy, and let me know if you have any other recommendations for the next books! (No spoilers please as I haven't read those yet!)

🐊