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Some Features of Living Matter in the Neighborhood of the Sun
Weeks before Poppy is set to migrate to the human colony on Mars, their mother, Arthemise, takes them for one last voyage to visit the floating homestead on the Henderson Swamp where they were raised. On an Earth where to survive in Louisiana in the summer, one must wear a Dune-like body cooling suit, a much-needed family getaway that couldn't possibly last long enough soon becomes an eternity they can't escape when a geomagnetic solar storm powerful enough to produce widespread voltage collapse happens to coincide with a precipitous tropical system of the sort increasingly common not only along the marshy coasts of North America but uniformly and sporadically across the globe.
"Sometimes we set our hearts so unflinchingly on something, like Arthemise and Poppy had on this much-needed vacation, parent and sprog traveling alone together for the first time in six years. We want it so badly we don't pay as close attention as we otherwise would, and, to our demise, we will not stop to consider our endeavor until we have been left dripping in our own latent daydreams like Icarus liquid feathers and raining skin."
"Sometimes we set our hearts so unflinchingly on something, like Arthemise and Poppy had on this much-needed vacation, parent and sprog traveling alone together for the first time in six years. We want it so badly we don't pay as close attention as we otherwise would, and, to our demise, we will not stop to consider our endeavor until we have been left dripping in our own latent daydreams like Icarus liquid feathers and raining skin."
90 pages, Paperback
Published August 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 26, 2022
SOME FEATURES OF LIVING MATTER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE SUN arrives the size of a genuine pocket book, not too thick to fit in a shirt pocket, and with a beautiful cover--no goddamn barcode front or back and lots of felines. The inside is flawless as well, from the swamp deep and beautiful epigraph from Kate Chopin's AWAKENING to the narration of a generational nostalgia trip in a Lousiana swamp some time in the future that strikes me as the first of its kind in the present; that is, science fiction launched from 2022, bringing to date the characters that may be living in the future herein described if any indeed do so. (It strikes me that the form novella is the easiest to spoil in a review, so I will leave that as vague as it is.)
The story itself rests on the spurious notion that climate change is real and even generated by humans--sorry, no, the story rests on the gently definitive and all too believable effects of a changed climate (in the short space of 90 pocket book pages, the author presents both a horrific climatic effect and a durable human response), and also on the truly more dubious notion of effectual space colonization. A more magnificent event occurs that is generated by natural causes, but even that piled onto the troubles alreay inflicted on Louisianans fails to disturb a story that manages to flow from the events imposed from without and yet remain a recognizable human dance of intellect and circumstance. Kate Chopin might have written it had science fiction writers managed to light a fire under scientific asses a while back.
The story itself rests on the spurious notion that climate change is real and even generated by humans--sorry, no, the story rests on the gently definitive and all too believable effects of a changed climate (in the short space of 90 pocket book pages, the author presents both a horrific climatic effect and a durable human response), and also on the truly more dubious notion of effectual space colonization. A more magnificent event occurs that is generated by natural causes, but even that piled onto the troubles alreay inflicted on Louisianans fails to disturb a story that manages to flow from the events imposed from without and yet remain a recognizable human dance of intellect and circumstance. Kate Chopin might have written it had science fiction writers managed to light a fire under scientific asses a while back.
October 25, 2022
Some Features of Living Matter in the Neighborhood of the Sun is goddamn life-affirming. In general and throughout, but especially in its concluding pages. And that’s coming from a brooding, voluntarily childless mid-30s pessimist who generally hates seeing anything described as “life-affirming.”
But in this case it can’t be avoided. Because in this case, really, it is. It’s a beautiful little book that radiates warmth and love and positivity (somehow without ever becoming cloying) and refuses to succumb to the prevailing modern hopelessness. I admire it immensely and recommend it highly. Well done, Zach Tanner.
But in this case it can’t be avoided. Because in this case, really, it is. It’s a beautiful little book that radiates warmth and love and positivity (somehow without ever becoming cloying) and refuses to succumb to the prevailing modern hopelessness. I admire it immensely and recommend it highly. Well done, Zach Tanner.
September 13, 2022
How do I explain to the millions of you that have yet to read this brilliant piece of literature how I felt after reading? Has Jane Austen or Henry James returned to us and built a life in Louisiana, USofA? That’s a way to describe this novella. I’m not sure I’ve ever been moved watching/listening/reading 2 characters like Poppy and Arthemise. I’m not sure I’ve read a book as relevant as to what is happening in our world more than this novella. I’m not sure I’ll read anything better than this the rest of the year.
This is the second book from Zachary Tanner and their idea of expressing love is a world I want to be a part of. Their beauty in the writings (in both this and Oskar Submerges is expressed in a myriad of ways. All of which unique to the time and place). For SOME FEATURES OF LIVING MATTER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE SUN, love is in the tropical storm air. Love is in Louisiana.
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
You can find this book and their other, Oskar Submerges here:
https://coronasamizdat.com/index.php?...
This is the second book from Zachary Tanner and their idea of expressing love is a world I want to be a part of. Their beauty in the writings (in both this and Oskar Submerges is expressed in a myriad of ways. All of which unique to the time and place). For SOME FEATURES OF LIVING MATTER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THE SUN, love is in the tropical storm air. Love is in Louisiana.
“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
You can find this book and their other, Oskar Submerges here:
https://coronasamizdat.com/index.php?...
April 25, 2023
“There was some essential sublimity necessary to human development for thousands of years: distant starlight. Deprived of this anathema, we occlude our throats with the universally corrupt slop of civilization and culture without ever remembering what most of what's around us actually looks like, the abstract expressionism of a billion-billion suns and planets denting the fabric of spacetime in this strange cosmos that simultaneously contains and is constituted within us.”
I've moved away from the use of star ratings for the books I read for reasons I've justified before, but in this case I'm going to make an exception, not least of all because I want it in more peoples' hands.
I think it was Chris Robinson who referred to this novella as “goddamn life-affirming” and let me be the first to say, he was goddamn right. This 90-page portrait of a mother-daughter relationship runs belligerently in opposition to the novels that typically draw me into their gravitational pull: 800+ pages; sweeping and multi-temporal landscapes of history; fractured and meta-textual narratorial perspectives - you know the shit that I like.
So what in the hell is a minute, character-focussed novella doing among the best books I’ve read all year?!
‘Features of Living Matter’ centres itself around the experience of Poppy and Arthemise, who prior to migrating to Mars take one last venture into the swamps of Henderson, Louisiana to reacquaint themselves with the place of their upbringing.
Maybe it’s the expat in me, maybe it’s the person who yearns for a familial sense of community; your guess is as good as mine. Suffice it to say, ‘Features of Living Matter’ was a gorgeous counterpoint to the unrelenting cynicism... and deconstructionist thinking... and cognitively draining metaphysical preoccupations that occupy the overwhelming majority of the novels that I read. This isn't just a cleanse to the palate, it's a cleanse to the soul. Beautiful, touching, and gentle in ways I had forgotten spoke so strongly to me.
Wonderful work Zachary. It was a pleasure and a privilege to read your work. Cannot wait to see what you do with an 1800 page venture.
I've moved away from the use of star ratings for the books I read for reasons I've justified before, but in this case I'm going to make an exception, not least of all because I want it in more peoples' hands.
I think it was Chris Robinson who referred to this novella as “goddamn life-affirming” and let me be the first to say, he was goddamn right. This 90-page portrait of a mother-daughter relationship runs belligerently in opposition to the novels that typically draw me into their gravitational pull: 800+ pages; sweeping and multi-temporal landscapes of history; fractured and meta-textual narratorial perspectives - you know the shit that I like.
So what in the hell is a minute, character-focussed novella doing among the best books I’ve read all year?!
‘Features of Living Matter’ centres itself around the experience of Poppy and Arthemise, who prior to migrating to Mars take one last venture into the swamps of Henderson, Louisiana to reacquaint themselves with the place of their upbringing.
Maybe it’s the expat in me, maybe it’s the person who yearns for a familial sense of community; your guess is as good as mine. Suffice it to say, ‘Features of Living Matter’ was a gorgeous counterpoint to the unrelenting cynicism... and deconstructionist thinking... and cognitively draining metaphysical preoccupations that occupy the overwhelming majority of the novels that I read. This isn't just a cleanse to the palate, it's a cleanse to the soul. Beautiful, touching, and gentle in ways I had forgotten spoke so strongly to me.
Wonderful work Zachary. It was a pleasure and a privilege to read your work. Cannot wait to see what you do with an 1800 page venture.
October 12, 2022
I’ve read this twice now- both times in one sitting because that’s the kinda book it is, you won’t wanna put it down and it’s short so you don’t have to
Critique- it can occasionally be difficult to follow who is saying what in the dialogue. Zach credited me as the “editor” for this book so I’m gonna go ahead and say I shoulda done a better job editing the dialogue
BUT in ways it makes sense- this parent and child have mind interconnections as any would
Speaking of, getting into each character’s brain is SO good in this story. The experience of peering inside deepens the tensions you feel between the characters
Tensions for many reasons, one of which is SO much pressure riding on the one experience they are having together, which of course has to go wrong
Mix in some reflections and lessons on life and love and beginnings and endings
For me the main thing propelling me forward, getting me to turn the pages at an alarming speed was the anxieties it gave me. Which is unique, not many books has this be the central emotion, nor do we get many “man vs nature” books these days. So it definitely felt like a not too frequently tapped area of my literary heart
We needed this coastal climate change parent child story that so expertly blends past, present and future. It feels bleak yet hopeful. Full of hope for community and culture that lasts.
My favourite thing about zach tanner’s writing is the world building. You can see it, like reading a movie. And oh dear is it special to”see” futuristic Louisiana swamp nature in this way.
I will read this book many times. Like I did the Little Prince. To have a sounding board for reflecting on my life at different periods and to keep this book in dialogue with other books of its kind, like a few Octavia Butler series I have on my shelves
Critique- it can occasionally be difficult to follow who is saying what in the dialogue. Zach credited me as the “editor” for this book so I’m gonna go ahead and say I shoulda done a better job editing the dialogue
BUT in ways it makes sense- this parent and child have mind interconnections as any would
Speaking of, getting into each character’s brain is SO good in this story. The experience of peering inside deepens the tensions you feel between the characters
Tensions for many reasons, one of which is SO much pressure riding on the one experience they are having together, which of course has to go wrong
Mix in some reflections and lessons on life and love and beginnings and endings
For me the main thing propelling me forward, getting me to turn the pages at an alarming speed was the anxieties it gave me. Which is unique, not many books has this be the central emotion, nor do we get many “man vs nature” books these days. So it definitely felt like a not too frequently tapped area of my literary heart
We needed this coastal climate change parent child story that so expertly blends past, present and future. It feels bleak yet hopeful. Full of hope for community and culture that lasts.
My favourite thing about zach tanner’s writing is the world building. You can see it, like reading a movie. And oh dear is it special to”see” futuristic Louisiana swamp nature in this way.
I will read this book many times. Like I did the Little Prince. To have a sounding board for reflecting on my life at different periods and to keep this book in dialogue with other books of its kind, like a few Octavia Butler series I have on my shelves
January 10, 2026
I was able to travel this holiday season with my wife to see her family in Abbeville, Louisiana (Maurice specifically), while my oldest daughter met her mother halfway to enjoy their time in Slidell. I am no stranger to this state. It led me to wonder how Zachary Tanner was doing, and I realized I had not taken this book with me. I swore I had his number. Oh well.
I enjoyed Oskar Submerges a few years ago, reading alongside The Tunnel. Overall, I enjoyed this novella as well. The language really pierces through the swamp muck that is the scenery of this quest, and when encountering it, I found this only twice, such as:
"We want it so badly we don't pay as close attention as we otherwise would, and we will not stop to consider our endeavor until we have been left dripping in our own latent daydreams like Icarus liquid feathers and raining skin" (2)
and
"The cone of light from the bulb in a hanging crawfish pail between them illuminated the face of the sprog in the present against the background radiation of Time, all of Time shimmering in the eyes of the proud parent who, by decades of trial and error and self-forgiveness, has succeeded in their own way to nurture humanity" (38).
A parent and their child are racing to a flight to Mars before the tropical storm catches them. There are multiple storms in this 90-page third coast piece; there is a solar flare that finally reaches planet earth, and the character's inner emotional storm that is the non monogamous relationship, added with alcohol.
With all that said, a lot of the names could have been cut, as the parent seems to have three names, and while this is not so apparent, a lot of the later dialogue could have been implied instead.
Zachary Tanner is writing slightly ahead of their time, I feel, and these will age like fine wine, which, unfortunately, cannot be said for what is deemed "literature" from a commercial standpoint today. I am hopeful that the Atomic Brain series will be complete by the time I get to the first installment, and I am confident that Tanner's themes will be fully fleshed out when we meet next.
I hope you are well. If you read this, my friend, please send me a message so we can catch up next time you're in Houston.
Best
I enjoyed Oskar Submerges a few years ago, reading alongside The Tunnel. Overall, I enjoyed this novella as well. The language really pierces through the swamp muck that is the scenery of this quest, and when encountering it, I found this only twice, such as:
"We want it so badly we don't pay as close attention as we otherwise would, and we will not stop to consider our endeavor until we have been left dripping in our own latent daydreams like Icarus liquid feathers and raining skin" (2)
and
"The cone of light from the bulb in a hanging crawfish pail between them illuminated the face of the sprog in the present against the background radiation of Time, all of Time shimmering in the eyes of the proud parent who, by decades of trial and error and self-forgiveness, has succeeded in their own way to nurture humanity" (38).
A parent and their child are racing to a flight to Mars before the tropical storm catches them. There are multiple storms in this 90-page third coast piece; there is a solar flare that finally reaches planet earth, and the character's inner emotional storm that is the non monogamous relationship, added with alcohol.
With all that said, a lot of the names could have been cut, as the parent seems to have three names, and while this is not so apparent, a lot of the later dialogue could have been implied instead.
Zachary Tanner is writing slightly ahead of their time, I feel, and these will age like fine wine, which, unfortunately, cannot be said for what is deemed "literature" from a commercial standpoint today. I am hopeful that the Atomic Brain series will be complete by the time I get to the first installment, and I am confident that Tanner's themes will be fully fleshed out when we meet next.
I hope you are well. If you read this, my friend, please send me a message so we can catch up next time you're in Houston.
Best
March 9, 2023
Thoughtful and thought-provoking drama glorifying individuals and the whole. You live with and within these characters through the ample vulnerable dialogue between a parent and child. Life and love, facing unknowns and taking risks are humanity on display as quick drops and details show a still and more, exploited earth. Although gripping, the 'whats going to happen' element is overshadowed and ultimately transcended by authenticity in the moments of living.
How we clothe ourselves in language and action is all we can ever show. Live well, my friends 🫶📚🫶
How we clothe ourselves in language and action is all we can ever show. Live well, my friends 🫶📚🫶
November 13, 2022
Beautiful! I couldn’t put it down for anything, not even to put more hot water in my bath that had gotten cold enough to make me shiver
November 22, 2022
Absolutely loved this book and truly consider it like a modern classic. The human relationship between mother and daughter in a climate apocalypse setting is the perfect answer to Cormack MacCarthy's "The Road". Where McCarthy is fascinated by male violence and bonding, Zachary Tanner offers un-gendered love and affection, through solidarity and respect. Written in prose with a Pynchonian twist, it is definitely one of the most beautiful and optimistic hymn to humanity I have read for a long time. A must-read.
October 21, 2022
I haven't felt so satisfied by a story in so long. This book was like coming home, not romanticized and stale but truthful- with all the conflicting emotions of really existing in a place. It both settled me and exhausted me, hurt my heart and helped heal it. My copy has no chance- it will be tattered from rereads in no time, I can just tell 🧡
Poppy is navigating multiple difficult life changes in her personal and professional lives. Her mother, Meezemoo, is anticipating another of her loved ones leaving her after being widowed and then divorced. On a trip to visit Poppy's childhood home one last time before her 20 year departure to Mars, they become stuck in a storm + solar flare that wipes all communications and leaves them stranded in the middle of the swamp.
Poppy is navigating multiple difficult life changes in her personal and professional lives. Her mother, Meezemoo, is anticipating another of her loved ones leaving her after being widowed and then divorced. On a trip to visit Poppy's childhood home one last time before her 20 year departure to Mars, they become stuck in a storm + solar flare that wipes all communications and leaves them stranded in the middle of the swamp.
March 27, 2024
Zachary Tanner is rapidly becoming one of my favourite contemporary writers. This slight novella is ostensibly sci-fi but if you scratch a little deeper and you'll find an astute and tender examination of parental love and caregiver's responsibilities. Straight on to Margie and the Atomic Brain, Volume I next!
November 17, 2022
Starts off a little stilted, the syntax and grammar at times being jarring, but once it gets rolling you ease into a nice flow. A much stronger attempt than their debut, which I felt suffered from a cringey quirkiness and faux-camp prose that made me give up after about a dozen pages, but this one removed all that, or at least diminished it significantly, and was a much better concentrated effort because of it.
Unfortunately, like many "progressive" works these days, I also felt the politics were off, for it's only progressive within the human sphere. One of the characters, for example, is depicted as having lived for years in a home that was developed as "the perfect place to go on sustainably existing into the future", and yet this character still eats animals when literally being vegan is arguably the best action to sustainably exist into the future (and thus their place couldn't have been perfectly sustainable at all), and so Tanner ends up surpassing all binaries except for the vital last: that of the human/non-human animal.
But aside from the aforementioned flaws, this book still has some redeemable qualities to make it worthwhile. There is a vulnerability and empathic intuition for human connection that bridges the gaps of miscommunication via attentive listening and understanding; a nice depiction of a mixed gender polyamorous trio and their lived reality with its encompassing pain; and a general outpour of love that strives for deeper connection, a close familial bond, the meaningful recognition of past partners, and the growth from our mistakes. I also felt the fear of the storm should have intensified and lasted a little longer to bring more of this out, though, as it seemed to pass fairly quickly, but still a decent effort overall.
~2.5
Unfortunately, like many "progressive" works these days, I also felt the politics were off, for it's only progressive within the human sphere. One of the characters, for example, is depicted as having lived for years in a home that was developed as "the perfect place to go on sustainably existing into the future", and yet this character still eats animals when literally being vegan is arguably the best action to sustainably exist into the future (and thus their place couldn't have been perfectly sustainable at all), and so Tanner ends up surpassing all binaries except for the vital last: that of the human/non-human animal.
But aside from the aforementioned flaws, this book still has some redeemable qualities to make it worthwhile. There is a vulnerability and empathic intuition for human connection that bridges the gaps of miscommunication via attentive listening and understanding; a nice depiction of a mixed gender polyamorous trio and their lived reality with its encompassing pain; and a general outpour of love that strives for deeper connection, a close familial bond, the meaningful recognition of past partners, and the growth from our mistakes. I also felt the fear of the storm should have intensified and lasted a little longer to bring more of this out, though, as it seemed to pass fairly quickly, but still a decent effort overall.
~2.5
April 11, 2024
A visually stunning road (boat) trip across the stormy swamps of the US south, ravaged by the oppressive effects of climate change. A tender meditation on familial and conjugal love told through conversations between a Mother (although sometimes a father too) and her adult child.
A touching read that leaves a lasting impression.
The physical book itself is amazing as well, beautifully designed and able to fit in a shirt pocket.
A touching read that leaves a lasting impression.
The physical book itself is amazing as well, beautifully designed and able to fit in a shirt pocket.
December 2, 2023
Delightfully queer and with a toe dipping into a time that feels a few decades into the future, even if space travel means it would be considerably more than that, it's a short story containing the goodbye between a parent and child, and surviving a potential catastrophe.
There’s another story within it, a shorter tale about a polyamorous couple (threeple?) where some members are falling out of love with each other, that I found the most interesting part of the first half of the book, the realities and complexities of their personalities and relationships feeling so human I could see myself in some of them.
It took me some time to warm up to the main story though, to feel much interest in where the author was going with the boat-travel, especially as the main part that might thrill was “spoiled’ within the very first paragraph. But it's the sense of leaving, of life going its separate ways (hence paralleling the shorter tale) and the sadness within, the loneliness and the fear for others and yet yearning for oneself, that resonated with me. I ended up quite caring for these characters, even if not as much as I might have in a longer or a different tale.
But perhaps my biggest disappointment was that the book ends on a thought that is built up to within the previous paragraphs, but honestly felt a bit wishy-washy for me, your usual solipsistic stoned epiphany from the mouth of a tripping hippie from last century America, seeing the universe within the palm of their hand, hence giving the ending a sudden and a bit lacklustre feeling. Maybe I'll come around to it, but the first impression wasn't great.
The dialogue also sometimes felt a bit clunky in a way that seemed intentional, driving towards realism, but keeping me at a distance from the characters and the writing. I’m not complaining much though as it might actually be working. I guess I'll find out when I dive into something bigger from the author. Which, at this point, seems inevitable.
There’s another story within it, a shorter tale about a polyamorous couple (threeple?) where some members are falling out of love with each other, that I found the most interesting part of the first half of the book, the realities and complexities of their personalities and relationships feeling so human I could see myself in some of them.
It took me some time to warm up to the main story though, to feel much interest in where the author was going with the boat-travel, especially as the main part that might thrill was “spoiled’ within the very first paragraph. But it's the sense of leaving, of life going its separate ways (hence paralleling the shorter tale) and the sadness within, the loneliness and the fear for others and yet yearning for oneself, that resonated with me. I ended up quite caring for these characters, even if not as much as I might have in a longer or a different tale.
But perhaps my biggest disappointment was that the book ends on a thought that is built up to within the previous paragraphs, but honestly felt a bit wishy-washy for me, your usual solipsistic stoned epiphany from the mouth of a tripping hippie from last century America, seeing the universe within the palm of their hand, hence giving the ending a sudden and a bit lacklustre feeling. Maybe I'll come around to it, but the first impression wasn't great.
The dialogue also sometimes felt a bit clunky in a way that seemed intentional, driving towards realism, but keeping me at a distance from the characters and the writing. I’m not complaining much though as it might actually be working. I guess I'll find out when I dive into something bigger from the author. Which, at this point, seems inevitable.
September 9, 2025
Some Features Of Living Matter In The Nighborhood Of The Sun
A small palm of your hand sized novella, with an eccentric cover full of Cat. The type of book you can bring with you and read while in the school pick up line... or maybe that's just how I read this one. The story is a dystopian, look at louisiana that has been ravaged by global climate change.
The author inserts a lovable voyage between 2 family members, even a lunch wearing dune like body suits, discussing the daughters thrapple. Overall For such a short book, it packs a punch for fans of absurd fiction.
This is my first book by Zachary Tanner and I'd say, what I found delightful, was the world building. I felt that the setting breathe life into this story, and it did not go unnoticed.
This book is put out by Corona Samizdat and can be found on their website.
A small palm of your hand sized novella, with an eccentric cover full of Cat. The type of book you can bring with you and read while in the school pick up line... or maybe that's just how I read this one. The story is a dystopian, look at louisiana that has been ravaged by global climate change.
The author inserts a lovable voyage between 2 family members, even a lunch wearing dune like body suits, discussing the daughters thrapple. Overall For such a short book, it packs a punch for fans of absurd fiction.
This is my first book by Zachary Tanner and I'd say, what I found delightful, was the world building. I felt that the setting breathe life into this story, and it did not go unnoticed.
This book is put out by Corona Samizdat and can be found on their website.
August 29, 2023
A great story that was well written but it took me so long to realize that Myzee, Meezema, Arthemise, and all the other names for her were one person. I was very confused for the first 20 or so pages and it took away from my reading experience. Other than that, fantastic.
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