Borne

By: Jeff VanderMeer

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin

Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

In Borne, a young woman named Rachel survives as a scavenger in a ruined city half destroyed by drought and conflict. The city is dangerous, littered with discarded experiments from the Company - a biotech firm now derelict - and punished by the unpredictable predations of a giant bear. Rachel ekes out an existence in the shelter of a run-down sanctuary she shares with her partner, Wick, who deals his own homegrown psychoactive biotech.

One day, Rachel finds Borne during a scavenging mission and takes him home. Borne as salvage is little more than a green lump - plant or animal? - but exudes a strange charisma. Borne reminds Rachel of the marine life from the island nation of her birth, now lost to rising seas. There is an attachment she resents: in this world any weakness can kill you. Yet, against her instincts - and definitely against Wick's wishes - Rachel keeps Borne. She cannot help herself. Borne, learning to speak, learning about the world, is fun to be with, and in a world so broken that innocence is a precious thing. For Borne makes Rachel see beauty in the desolation around her. She begins to feel a protectiveness she can ill afford.

"He was born, but I had borne him."

But as Borne grows, he begins to threaten the balance of power in the city and to put the security of her sanctuary with Wick at risk. For the Company, it seems, may not be truly dead, and new enemies are creeping in. What Borne will lay bare to Rachel as he changes is how precarious her existence has been, and how dependent on subterfuge and secrets. In the aftermath, nothing may ever be the same.

©2017 Jeff VanderMeer (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Decent book, awful narration

Definitely play the sample before spending credits in this. The narrator sounds like the machine-voice of a GPS guidance system, which is a surprising choice for a novel about a scrappy female scavenger in a post-apocalyptic wasteland.

As for the rest of the novel it is interesting, but Vandermeer keeps the pace a bit too brisk at times. I would have welcomed more time spent on Rachel exploring the city, with or without Borne, but instead we get told a lot more about the city than we are shown, which is limiting. Suspicions that this was written ultimately for the screen are confirmed in the Acknowledgements when the author thanks Hollywood producer Scott Rudin for his input and creativity. Why sell people just a movie when you can sell them a pseudo-novel and a movie ticket down the line?

Something Different for Dystopian Lit.

Narrative voices are spot on for each character and are very immersive and engaging. The story's characters are unique lovable and fun. Thee novel's concepts are usually very abstract, but they make for a wild ride that seems completely new and original. The only downside is that a lot of information and secrets are revealed right at the end, so the end seems a bit rushed.

Just enough mystery

A lot of authors give it away for free, right at the beginning. VanderMeer makes you wait for it, and see it in the light of all the clues he's given you along the way. The story is hard to believe as you go along. Almost mythical. But it feels like a solid work that was meant as a cohesive whole.

I don't know what to say Turpin other than she was the perfect personality that I wanted for the protagonist. I can't imagine reading it in paper and missing her performance.

Sumptuous, beautiful, and compelling

Vandermeer's language is beautiful. I was going to say his descriptions are something to become lost in, but that's not really right. They anchor the reader in a real, four-dimensional world occupied by exotic creatures and beautifully rendered characters, struggling to understand what it is to be human or to become human. Bahni Turpin's narration is perfect, and she is easily one of the best audiobook performers I've ever heard. Borne is a wonderful book and a wonderful audiobook experience.

Extraordinary

Different from the Southern Reach Trilogy but still fascinating and abundant with the mind stretching ideas and glorious words of Vandermeer. Dancing between exquisite prose and a simple, at times spare realism, the writing is gorgeous and exactly what it needs to be in every sentence, every scene, every setting.
Bahnie Turpin continues to be one of the most spectacular narrators Audible is fortunate enough to boast. She brought Rachel and Borne to life in a way I’m convinced no one else could. If I ever read the book in print, I will hear her voice in Rachel’s thoughts and speech and in Borne’s endless questions and observations. I’m intensely curious about The Strange Bird and Dead Astronauts and can’t wait to check them out.

epic post apocalyptic fantasy

great story with weird creatures and captivating storyline. its the road meets aliens with a good bit of humor added in

VanderMeer at his best!

Jeff VanderMeer is a master of making the weirdest characters and lands endearing and poignant. Love this book and just listened to it for a second time! The narrator does a good job voicing the characters. This is a wild ride and remarkably relatable to the emotions of parenthood, romantic love, and eco-anxiety. Satisfying ending and to return to this world you can read "Dead Astronauts" and "Strange Bird" next.

Stunning

This book brought up a lot of questions for me in regard to what it means to be human, what it means to be a mother and how much we really know about one another. The narration from Bahni Turpin really brought the book to life!

“AUDIBLE 20 REVIEW SWEEPSTAKES ENTRY”

Interesting view

Borne an interesting view on dystopian life. Although the story was pretty fluid, the details were lacking to allow myself to sink in. The story arc was a bit shallow, with a scattering of depth. Overall good story, that could go a little deeper.

good could've been better

it really made you feel. some interesting twists. lame ending.could've really been better but good