The Strange Bird: A Borne Story

Introduction
"The Strange Bird: A Borne Story" is a 2018 novella by American author Jeff VanderMeer. It works as a side story to his seriously well-known book "Borne" (2017). Set within the exact same post-apocalyptic world, the novella checks out styles of identity, survival, and the intersections between technology and nature. It focuses on the eponymous Strange Bird, a biotechnological production, as she browses a desolate landscape filled with risks and characters that challenge her existence, purpose, and sense of self. VanderMeer's work looks into the complexities of life, freedom, cruelty, and hope, all while broadening upon the abundant, immersive world presented in "Borne".

Origin and Escape
The story begins with the creation of the Strange Bird in a laboratory concealed within the Company Building, an organization responsible for creating different scary biotechnological creatures. The lead character, a hybrid animal with both avian and human features and capabilities, is caged and studied by the researchers. As her understanding of the situation grows, so does her desire to escape her confines and experience the world beyond her jail.

She handles to get away the lab, embarking on a harmful journey through a barren landscape, where she encounters both the natural and unnatural repercussions of the Company's experiments. Along the way, she needs to challenge her isolation, memories of her previous life, and the nature of her presence.

Encounters worldwide Beyond
As the Strange Bird traverses the treacherous terrain, she experiences different encounters that shape her understanding of the world and her place within it. An encounter with a traumatised woman, reluctant to extend a helping hand, highlights the deep fear and wonder about that pesters the survivors of this desolate world.

She later on experiences a "deadman", one of the novel's posthuman guardians, which binds her to his dreams through an implanted control device. The deadman is looking for Fox, an enigmatic figure who the Strange Bird thinks may possess essential understanding about her creation and function.

Along the journey, the Strange Bird experiences the balloon bear - a character from the original "Borne" book - which communicates with her telepathically and teaches her about various elements of the world and herself. It surprises her with its capability for compassion and intelligence, providing solace and reassurance in the face of her seclusion.

The Question of Freedom and Hope
The Strange Bird's journey continually deals with concerns of freedom, control, and the worth of life. Required to serve the deadman, the protagonist contends with the concern of control and the impression of option. The implanted gadget that binds her to the deadman represents a larger metaphor for institutional oppression and the battles of breaking devoid of external restrictions.

Hope likewise acts as a recurring style in the narrative. The protagonist's understanding of hope progresses as she faces different ordeals, from seeking knowledge about her origin to defining her newly found experiences. Eventually, the Strange Bird's journey ends up being emblematic of the internal and external struggles to discover hope, liberty, and meaning under painful situations.

Conclusion
"The Strange Bird: A Borne Story" provides a creative, thought-provoking narrative that challenges the limits of traditional storytelling through its special mix of post-apocalyptic fiction and biotechnology. VanderMeer masterfully records the essence of his characters, enabling readers to feel sorry for the Strange Bird's struggles while simultaneously interrogating the principles of clinical experimentation and the complex nature of life and identity. If you are looking for an entrancing journey through an immersive, fantastical world, "The Strange Bird" is an outstanding option.
The Strange Bird: A Borne Story

The Strange Bird is a companion story to Borne, following the journey of a strange creature, part-bird, part-human, as she flees captivity and struggles to find her place in a dangerous world.


Author: Jeff Vandermeer

Jeff VanderMeers intriguing biographies with quotes - from his early life to his acclaimed Southern Reach Trilogy. Experience his weird, fantastic world!
More about Jeff Vandermeer