A Goodreads user

A Goodreads user asked Jeff Vandermeer:

I'm a real fan of your work. I was thrilled to discover the land of ambergris, and I really enjoy the depth of your vision. I like the idea of living fungi, and I wonder, where did you develop this interest, and did you ever explore the idea of mushrooms serving as a psychotropic agent?

Jeff Vandermeer Here in North Florida everything decays at a ferocious and humid rate. You see fruiting bodies everywhere--I counted 50 different types just at a local park. So of course it kind of permeates the air and one's influences. And I find them fascinating so a lot of it is me playing amateur mushroom scientist. As a psychotropic agent? If you mean personally, no. I'm for whatever reason fairly afraid of what certain substances would change in my brain. I think my worldview is surreal enough as it is.

More Answered Questions

Brian Salyards

Brian Salyards asked Jeff Vandermeer:

I often look at the world and wondering how an intelligent being from "somewhere else" would view things. I find this enjoyable and based on your writing I would imagine you do too. When I voice my observations people look at me like I am an alien. Reading your work makes me think in even newer and weirder ways. Thank you. And, in your opinion, what is the true value of weirdos in modern society?

Chad Post

Chad Post asked Jeff Vandermeer:

Annihilation and Authority bring to mind a few Stanislaw Lem books (Solaris and His Master's Voice in particular) along with the Strugatsky brothers (Roadside Picnic)--do you view Lem & Strugatsky as influences on your work? Which other works by these authors, or works by other fantastic world authors would you recommend to bide the time until Acceptance finally comes out?

Jeremy

Jeremy asked Jeff Vandermeer:

First off, love the series, can't wait for the finale. I had to ask, have you read House of Leaves and if so, did it influence your idea of the tunnel in any way when writing? There are quite a few interesting parallels (obviously in completely original contexts) and I was just wondering if you were inspired at all by the book.

All answers from Jeff Vandermeer…

Jeff Vandermeer

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