Questions About Authority (Southern Reach, #2)

by Jeff Vandermeer (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (15)

I enjoyed Annihilation very much, but I'm struggling with Authority. It seems to be all office politics and backstabbing. I'm about to start the Part Three section and I hope it improves. Can someone comment whether Acceptance is any better?

Sav Did you notice how Control mentions several times throughout Authority the drawbacks to skimming? That's intentional, kind of a tongue in cheek messag…moreDid you notice how Control mentions several times throughout Authority the drawbacks to skimming? That's intentional, kind of a tongue in cheek message from the author.

The narrative structure of Annihilation makes it easy to skim; it draws you in to the Biologist's mind and makes you feel like you're experiencing the book more so than reading it.

For reasons that should be obvious, that same approach cannot be taken with Authority (hint: what is revealed 2/3rds of the way through on what The Voice has been up to during reports; how Control is an unreliable narrator in a different way than the Biologist was an unreliable narrator in the first book). There is plenty there if you're paying attention to the details as you read. Everything you need to know is there from the beginning, much as Control realizes after the proverbial sh*t hits the fan.

Keeping in mind that perspective, I think that while Authority is not quite as fast paced or visceral as Annihilation is, story-wise it may be stronger. (less)

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Part Two ends with Chapter 018, and Part Three picks back up with 019. Is there significance to this that is revealed in the book? Right now it's driving me a little crazy. I realize that the style of writing and even the structure of the writing in these books is intended to create a sense of unease and disorientation, but I'm curious if the numbering is just a mystery that won't be answered for me.

Sarinys Part Two ends with Chapter 18 and Part Three starts with 000 (again, like the first chapter); then there is Chapter 020. Chapter 019 is missing.

There…morePart Two ends with Chapter 18 and Part Three starts with 000 (again, like the first chapter); then there is Chapter 020. Chapter 019 is missing.

There are two Chapter 000, they both tell about a dream the main character has about the sea – the place where he goes in the finale, I assume. In the second Chapter 000 his point of view has changed, he's now inside the ocean, looking up at someone who may be himself or somebody else. In the finale he jumps into the water, probably entering the Area X (or maybe he's already inside but he doesn't know...). The final chapter has no number.

The chapter preceding the final part is 00X. I guess it means now the Area X is spreading, and we cannot use human numbers anymore. Time itself is bending, Control experiences that several times; the reader experiences that too when chapter 000 appears again.

Where did Chapter 019 go? Good question. I guess it got sucked into the Area X.(less)

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am reading it now. read the first one in brussels last year, and feel lucky to remember to get on to the 2nd one. who else has sampled it, or the whole trilogy?

Alicia I read the first one a couple months ago. I think it actually infuriated me more than anything - as I'm sure is not a minority opinion - but here I am…moreI read the first one a couple months ago. I think it actually infuriated me more than anything - as I'm sure is not a minority opinion - but here I am scarfing down the second one! Vandermeer knows how to get ya hooked, even if you're not sure why. The mystery is far too seductive. (less)

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Did the author want us bored on purpose ? This is weird how different this book is from the 1st.

Lynn Allen I don’t know, but I struggled to finish it.

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Can anyone explain me the joke that "What is the difference between a spy and a magician?" Control said that to Voice.

Matthew Thomson If I recall correctly, Control asks that to the Voice, and then hangs up.

I think the idea is that a Magician gives you a punchline, a finale to the sh…moreIf I recall correctly, Control asks that to the Voice, and then hangs up.

I think the idea is that a Magician gives you a punchline, a finale to the show. The spy presents the confusion - and then disappears.(less)

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