Balzac's War: A Tale of Veniss Underground

by Jeff Vandermeer

A deadly invasion of a far-future ecologically ravaged earth. A terrible secret discovered in a ruined city. Earth is no longer ruled by humans, but by the species they uplifted. Creatures called fleshdogs are their emissaries, and humanity must fight this implacable enemy or face extinction. Balzac must confront monsters and more trying to find his lover. And when he does find her, will the price be too great? This novella is part of Jeff VanderMeer’s cycle of far-future stories, which culminated with the critically acclaimed novel Veniss Underground. As an added bonus, this e-book also includes two extras: an incomplete story set during the same time period as “Balzac’s War” and VanderMeer’s original afterword to the UK edition of Veniss Underground, shedding light on the original creator of the creatures that take center stage in “Balzac’s War.”

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Horror, Weird Fiction, New Weird, Short Stories

Nook

First published March 25, 2011

About the author

NYT bestselling writer Jeff VanderMeer has been called “the weird Thoreau” by the New Yorker for his engagement with ecological issues. His most recent novel, the national bestseller Borne, received wide-spread critical acclaim and his prior novels include the Southern Reach trilogy (Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance). Annihilation won the Nebula and Shirley Jackson Awards, has been translated into 35 languages, and was made into a film from Paramount Pictures directed by Alex Garland. His nonfiction has appeared in New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Atlantic, Slate, Salon, and the Washington Post. He has coedited several iconic anthologies with his wife, the Hugo Award winning editor. Other titles include Wonderbook, the world’s first fully illustrated creative writing guide. VanderMeer served as the 2016-2017 Trias Writer in Residence at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. He has spoken at the Guggenheim, the Library of Congress, and the Arthur C. Clarke Center for the Human Imagination.

VanderMeer was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, but spent much of his childhood in the Fiji Islands, where his parents worked for the Peace Corps. This experience, and the resulting trip back to the United States through Asia, Africa, and Europe, deeply influenced him.

Jeff is married to Ann VanderMeer, who is currently an acquiring editor at Tor.com and has won the Hugo Award and World Fantasy Award for her editing of magazines and anthologies. They live in Tallahassee, Florida, with two cats and thousands of books.

Reviews

[Adi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel from universe of Veniss Underground with good and interesting plot. It's better than Veniss Underground.

[Danny Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just wish this was longer. Vandermeer does an incredible job of making you feel strongly for the characters in such few pages. The beasts described are truly horrifying and described in vivid detail.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If weird is what you want, this is what you need. Very well written, great atmosphere, strange characters.

[Luke Cartledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liking VanderMeer the more I read.

Just a short story I read in a few hours. But I'm already convinced to start the Veniss Underground novel after finishing this 😀

[LindaJ^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was included in the Audible copy of Veniss Underground. I did not know it was there. It was an added treat, showing the world that resulted from the one created in Veniss Underground. It was weird but enjoyable. Balzac's wife was killed in the war against the flesh dogs, acting under the orders of the immortal beings now controlling the world. But, is she really dead? No, she was incorporated into a flesh dog. When the flesh dog's body is mortally wounded, Balzac severs the head and intends to try to find an immortal to bring her back to life in some other form.

[Qbz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dont have too much to say because it's pretty short. I would say this doesn't really stand on its own, it requires Veniss underground to appreciate. But I do think it did a good job of delivering on the wonder for the future presented at the end of Veniss underground without giving too much information that might have dispelled the mystery and weirdness surrounding everything.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Live or exist

When do you make the decision that life is too hard to continue? What is life or living? It can all be too much and you seek a better way. Even if that better way is out.

[Brendan · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really liked this perspective of the Veniss world! oh Jeff Vandermeer, your mind is a maze.

[Lynsey Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so immersed in the world of Mr Vandermeer that the Flesh Dogs didn’t even phase me.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be the most heartbreaking thing I've ever read. Thanks, Jeff.

[AP · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Ilona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

[Hugo S]

Bizarre!

Vandermeer's writing style falls within the realm of bizarre which is why I enjoy it so much. I am sci-fi lover, I can't get enough of it but few authors manage to keep my attention Jeff Vandermeer is one of them.

[Peter]

I just don't know how to rate it. Yet.

I need to read me some Veniss Underground, and then re-read this.