Into the Unknown.

Jeff VanderMeer, a poet laureate of weird fiction, discusses his embrace of the inscrutable and uncanny in his work. He explains how the label of "weird fiction" has allowed major publishers to publish edgier content. VanderMeer's trilogy of Southern Reach novels, which explore a strange and dangerous coastal habitat called Area X, made him a leading figure in the genre. In his latest book, Absolution, VanderMeer returns to Area X, focusing on a secret agent named Old Jim. The fantastical world of Area X is inspired by VanderMeer's experiences with nature and his childhood in tropical Fiji. The Southern Reach novels explore themes of unknowability, isolation, and the limitations of language. [Extracted from the article]

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