Summary

0001

Acceptance, by Jeff Vandermeer, opens as Cynthia, the former director of Southern Reach and the leader of Expedition 12, takes her last breath. Cynthia narrates how her body dies and assimilates into Area X. She recalls seeing a biologist, with whom she exchanges a few words. Then, she disintegrates peacefully into her surroundings. Her human qualities have changed, but she is still alive.

The story line shifts back several decades to focus on Saul Evans, the former lighthouse keeper. Presumably, he is Cynthia's father. Saul had once been a preacher up North. One day, he realized that he had been living the life of a hypocrite. After this epiphany, Saul took the job as a lighthouse keeper and chose to live a solitary life.

In the present, Saul wakes up beside Charlie, his male lover. Saul appreciates Charlie's body, which Charlie's job aboard...