Absolution: A Journey into the Uncanny
ABSOLUTION, by Jeff VanderMeer, delves into the realm of the uncanny, a theme eloquently explored by Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges in his 1943 essay. Borges describes the term “uncanny” as an untranslatable English epithet that encapsulates supernatural horror, offering vivid illustrations rather than strict definitions.
Among his examples, Borges references Edgar Allan Poe, who conjures the image of āa southern sea where the ship itself will grow in bulk like the living body of the seaman.ā Another striking image comes from G.K. Chesterton, who envisions āa tree that is more or less than a treeā at the western borders of the world, and āsomething, perhaps a tower, whose very shape is wickedā at the eastern fringes.
Tracing the roots of the uncanny in literature, Borges identifies William Beckfordās 1786 novel āVathekā as one of the earliest examples. In this work, a caliph descends an underground staircase, entering āthe first truly atrocious Hell in literature.ā Similarly, in Jeff VanderMeerās acclaimed 2014 novel āAnnihilation,ā characters navigate a set of steps leading into the woods, discovering a tunnel ā which the narrator perceives as a tower ā that appears almost sentient: āThe tower breathed, and the walls when I went to touch them carried the echo of a heartbeat ā¦ and they were not made of stone but of living tissue.ā
āAnnihilation,ā which was later adapted into a visually striking yet somber horror film, marks the beginning of VanderMeerās Southern Reach trilogy. The series, consisting of āAuthorityā and āAcceptance,ā was originally published a decade ago as a continuous narrative. Now, it has been expanded with a fourth novel, āAbsolution.ā
Much like its predecessors, āAbsolutionā navigates the mysterious Area X, an enigmatic coastal region surrounded by an invisible barrier. Those daring enough to enter encounter a bewildering array of uncanny phenomena, including geometrical shapes that defy traditional definitions ā āneither circular nor squareā ā and man-made objects that reveal themselves to be disturbingly organic. The classic trope of the doppelgƤnger also makes an appearance, adding to the sense of unease.
In the earlier installments, VanderMeer portrays a harrowing series of failed experiments conducted by scientists who āhad not been trained to encounter what appeared to be the uncanny.ā As the narrative unfolds, the anomaly of Area X expands, posing an ever-growing threat. āAbsolutionā serves as a prequel, addressing some lingering questions while simultaneously introducing a plethora of new mysteries to unravel. The novel predominantly centers around Old Jim, a previously peripheral character from the original trilogy who operates a local bar but is, in reality, an undercover agent for the intelligence agency that later transforms into the Southern Reach, the organization responsible for investigating Area X.