How many times do I have to say that you must read Borne: A Novel by Jeff VanderMeer?

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A few months ago I read an advance copy of Jeff VanderMeer’s new novel Borne and couldn’t put it down.

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Now, after waiting patiently for Borne to be released to the greater world, I have three simple words:

READ THIS NOVEL!

Borne is one of the best novels I've read in years, even better, in my opinion, than VanderMeer's award-winning Southern Reach trilogy. Which is truly something because I loved the Southern Reach trilogy.

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While VanderMeer is usually known for his New Weird fantasy stories, with Borne he reaches into science fiction. The novel delivers a weirdly futuristic wasteland filled with discarded scientific experiments and a scavenger who nurtures one of these experiments (which she names Borne) while facing off with a skyscraper-tall flying bear named Mord.

Yes, the novel features a giant flying bear. And believe me, the bear works.

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Despite the flying bear, I’m still calling Borne science fiction. The novel reads as if Jeff VanderMeer has created something totally new in the science fiction universe. Call it New Weird SF. As a bonus, Borne is likely to appeal to many readers who otherwise might never consider reading a science fiction novel. Or a fantasy novel.

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Borne is a totally unique and exciting read which is beautifully written and reveals more and more with each re-read. I also look forward to the discussions people have around this book. What is the nature of the creature named Borne? Is the giant bear a stand-in for Trump blundering across the world? Or are we all Borne and Mord on some level?

So many ways to think about Borne. So many ways to enjoy this epic literary adventure. So many ways to say ...

READ THIS NOVEL!