adelaide reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Climactic culmination to one of the best trilogies I’ve read.
341 pages
English language
Published Sept. 1, 2014
4 stars
(80 reviews)
Acceptance is a 2014 novel by Jeff VanderMeer. It is the last in a series of three books called the Southern Reach Trilogy. It was released in the US on September 2, 2014.
mikerickson reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This was one of the most challenging books I've ever read. Not challenging in terms of content, but more so the structure. And not in a gimmicky House of Leaves kind of way, but this book bounced around between five different characters POV's across multiple non-consecutive timelines, while using first-, second-, and third-person narration. It felt like it was actively trying to shake me off (which is thematically on-brand with the central nature of the setting). This must have been a bitch to plan out, let alone write.
Being the final book of a trilogy, there's some built-in expectation that some key questions of the overall story will get answered and wrapped up. Although the recurring theme from the first two books where the setting itself resists being understood carries through here, and I eventually realized that no such payoff was coming. But I didn't necessarily mind because it would've …
This was one of the most challenging books I've ever read. Not challenging in terms of content, but more so the structure. And not in a gimmicky House of Leaves kind of way, but this book bounced around between five different characters POV's across multiple non-consecutive timelines, while using first-, second-, and third-person narration. It felt like it was actively trying to shake me off (which is thematically on-brand with the central nature of the setting). This must have been a bitch to plan out, let alone write.
Being the final book of a trilogy, there's some built-in expectation that some key questions of the overall story will get answered and wrapped up. Although the recurring theme from the first two books where the setting itself resists being understood carries through here, and I eventually realized that no such payoff was coming. But I didn't necessarily mind because it would've taken some of the magic away from all this worldbuilding if the reader actually did manage to peek behind the curtain too much.
This was not a simple read that I could just pick up for a chapter or two when I had a free minute; I felt like I had to devote active attention to this story, yet I still couldn't give a summation of the central conflict in a traditional sense with much confidence. This trilogy was definitely unlike anything else I've read to date, and I did enjoy the ride and the characters (oh, to be a solitary gay lighthouse keeper with a burly blue-collar lover...), but I do think I will treat myself to something simpler and lighter as my next read.
Radio reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Storygraph'
5 stars
Loved the first book in the series. The next two were different from what I expected, but well written.
Loved the first book in the series. The next two were different from what I expected, but well written.
_astronoMay reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Nothing resolved, more questions that answers. Overall a well told story, but leaves me wanting more
Mollarom reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
My reaction to this book is a lot like my reaction to Akira. The book, like the anime, is a spectacle. At the end, though, it leaves you scratching your head. Many mysteries remain unanswered, which isn't surprising. Yet, it raises suspicion on whether that's just a literary cop out, a deus ex machina.
billy reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
"Perhaps so many journals had piled up in the lighthouse because on some level most came, in time, to recognize the futility of language."
Chelovek Kevolek reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
The ending felt rushed, but the set-up was grand. Area X refuses to be known and that is ok with me.
Steen Christiansen reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
The pace slows and while the surrealism holds true, the engagement wavers.
Gossamerchild reviewed Acceptance by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, #3)
Review of 'Acceptance' on 'Storygraph'
4 stars
More like a 3.5/3.75, but I'll round up. Much better than the second one. I would highly recommend reading The Southern Reach Trilogy in 1 volume, if possible.
