I have been trying to think of something succinct and intelligent to say about Finch beyond “it is wonderful, buy it”. I am failing dismally. Sorry Jeff, I blame the hamthrax.
On the other hand, if you want a good description of what the book is about, you can do no better than read what Jeff VanderMeer himself said in John Scalzi’s Big Idea.
There are disappointments. The Great Freshwater Squid are no more. They have been driven from Ambergris by water pollution. Who knows where they might have gone? Outer space, perhaps. And if you think that’s unreasonable for a fantasy novel, remember that the definition of weird fiction is that when someone asks, “is this science fiction or fantasy?” the only possible answer is “yes”.
We do, finally, get an explanation of the origins of the grey caps, and of The Silence. I have very carefully not said anything about “the truth”. We also learn more about Duncan Shriek and Samuel Tonsure. So if you are an Ambergris fan the book is a must-read.
Then again, if you like good books, and you are not allergic to the style and violence of noir, this one is for you.
You can also buy Finch merchandise featuring the glorious John Coutlhart cover, here. The importation of mushrooms from Ambergris is currently forbidden under US and European law.
It’s very dark and it’s very nasty… but that’s like saying it’s what it’s supposed to be.
Andrew: Yes.
I keep hearing about this and thinking i’ve missed out not reading Jeff’s stuff already.
Adele:
Well, I’m biased, I love Jeff’s books. But I should point out that all three Ambergris books are very different. City of Saints and Madmen is a collection of short pieces all set in Ambergris with some cross-references. Shriek is an intense look at some very dysfunctional people. And Finch is a noir spy thriller. You may not like all three. But also you probably won’t appreciate the revelations in Finch unless you have read the other books.