Ok, I don't really feel worthy of being the first to review Finch on WWE so apologies but I'm going to probably veer towards incoherence at various points which is why I feel that bullet points may be the way to go here.
- This is the third of a trilogy set in the world of Ambergris. I've not read the previous volumes and frankly I don't think that made a difference. Vandermeer feeds the new reader with enough information about the previous works (including direct quotes, I believe) to give a very clear reflection of the city, how it works and what it looks like
- I found the concept of a city being gradually altered by a fungi-based civilisation- the grey caps- very disturbing. the concept of humans being altered into inhuman creatures by fungi more so, and the plight of one particular character affected in this manner was excellently portrayed.
- Vandermeer very successfully integrates noir sensibilities into the horror-fantasy world of Ambergris.
- Most of the characters in the novel feel well-delineated but this IS a noir, so many are not what they initially seem. Many may or may not have been seen before in the series.There are some of these who are obvious, but others may be more clear to those who have read the previous novels.
- It should also be noted that there are scenes of graphic torture which some readers may find a tad extreme
- I read the version of Finch published by Corvus with a largely purple cover. The cover shown above from the original publiciation is immeasurably superior to it in my opinion.
In hindsight, I regret the fact that I've put off reading Finch for a couple of years. The world of Ambergris, and of Finch is dark, squalid and intriguing. It's one of deep oppression and violence but ends on a positive note. Ambergris is a place where no sane human would want to live but once you read Finch, You'll be oh so glad that Jeff Vandermeer brought it to life for you.
Graham Vingoe
