Borne, by Jeff Vandermeer

Response to What is Weird

September 24, 2018

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As far as science fiction is concerned, Jeff Vandermeer’s Borne is a masterpiece. What makes this stand-alone-novel so weird is the unconventional way inch which this story is portrayed through a woman’s eyes. There is a very noticeable absence of a male gaze within this book. In most post-apocalyptic novels, it is traditionally hardened and male, yet with Borne, it is entirely female. One may argue this novel is not so much about about the apocalypse, but about motherhood. Rachel, the main character discovers a “bio-tech” animal that originally represents a sea anemone. In a way, Rachel raises Borne, and by doing so, provides herself with a sense of purpose. She experiences what a mother may experience by relinquishing her “child” into the world, and the fear that she may lose touch with said child. In this setting, the thought of motherhood seems highly unusual because there is no place for it. With Borne, he is seen as her child and companion, however, he is only seen as such towards Rachel. Borne has a childlike sent of morals, and does not see killing as wrong— he does not view death as death. He “absorbs” his prey and is now in possession of their memories. The eyes he develops are those of the people and creatures he has consumed. Later in the book, Borne develops the ability to shape shift and transformed into Rachel, and Wick, and acted as them for an undefined period of time.

New weird is more defined as unconventional rather than supernatural, however, this novel has both. The supernatural aspect becomes apparent with Mord, a humongous flying bear that reeks havoc over the city. Yet Rachel has a love-hate relationship with this bear, and even describes him as “gorgeous” and almost human. This perspective insinuates that Mord may have been human prior to the illusive Company transforming him.