Rating: 
Summary: Shadrach's descent into the underworld
Review: Perhaps the nicest thing about the book is it's brevity, for a book that broadly falls into the fantasy genre. At just about 200 pages, it's an elegant, economically written tale that sparkles with ideas, images and yes, even, erudition. There are various literary and mythical references, but it doesn't really hurt if you miss a lot of them. The story is strong enough on it's own. The core story is that most hackneyed of genre devices - the quest. It traces one Shadrach's descent into the underworld to rescue his beloved, and then (literally) into the belly of the beast to avenge the wrongs that were visited upon her. That's as far as the cliché goes, though. The setting, to begin with, is not some mediaevalist middle earth analog - it's a grim, intricately nightmarish far-future. The dark underworld is populated with ghastly creatures - all of which are the creations of Quin, an insane, brilliant genetic artist. Shadrach's beloved, Nicola, no longer returns his love. Quin himself is not unambiguously evil - he is cruel, sadistic and supremely twisted in a manner that Salvador Dali would have applauded, but it is hard to tell if his basic motivation - to replace the human race with something new - can be described as intrinsically evil. The story is superbly constructed - it is divided into three sections, each longer than the previous one. First, we hear from Nicholas, second-rate struggling artist and Nicola's twin, in the first-person. Then we meet Nicola herself, in an unusual and unusually succesful second-person narrative. Finally, Shadrach, yes, the third person and in third-person. It may all seem very clever-clever, but it in fact works quite seamlessly. The book is quite nerve- wracking at times - certain scenes are not for the weak of stomach - and yet, capable of oddly whimsical invention at others. There are scenes of utter horror and moments of total brutality (Shadrach discovers that Nicola has been captured by Quin when he visits an elderly client of Quin who is wearing Nicola's transplanted eye and hand). And yet, the prose is so smooth and compelling, you have to read it all. In fact, this was the first book in a long time that I stayed up all night to finish. It was also my biggest lit-kick since Eco's Baudolino.
Rating: 
Summary: I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter!
Review: Plot Summary: Nicholas is a struggling Living Artist looking for the master of his genre, Quin. He goes to his friend Shadrach who has worked for Quin and has been a lover to his sister Nicola who is a civil programmer who has lost touch with her brother and her former lover. Nick gets his wish with Shadrach's help. Shortly after a meerkat shows up at Nicola's door. Shadrach is sought out and immediately regrets helping Nicholas but in his despair is no help. Bad things occur to Nicola and Shadrach is revitalized in revenge and now desires to kill Quin. He realizes what Nicola has realized, the living art created by Quin is taking over the world of humans.
Opinion: Well, I must be the odd one out as I have only seen glowing reviews for this book yet I was unimpressed. The imagery was certainly as graphic as advertised and that was one thing about this that I liked. I never felt a thing for the characters in the story though. Nicholas, Nicola, Shadrach, and Quin were all not easy to sympathize with, in any way. The most interesting character was the meerkat of several names. He actually had a purpose within the framework of the story whereas the other characters pretty much fell into things as far as I could tell. Shadrach did not mean the results he caused to occur. Nicola did not mean to discover what she did. There were a few memorable scenes though, most notably for me was the scene where Nicholas and Nicola are 'reunited' in her apartment. The story had this air of dread, conspiracy, secrecy, and tension surrounding Quin, yet Shadrach and John waltzed right into the thick of things with amazingly little resistance. The setting was 'lovingly' portrayed in all its gruesomeness and I liked it. It could use a longer story set here.
Recommendation: From works I have read I would compare this to a cross between China Mieville and Richard Morgan. So if you like either of them, or both, you will probably like this. This did win the World Fantasy Award I believe and is pretty universally praised so I have to think I am in the minority with this not-so-good review. I give it 2.5 stars out of 5 because it seemed like it could have been better. I can't say that I would even try more Vandermeer but that is more because I am not the biggest fan of this type of novel than because I didn't like this particular story.
Rating:
Summary: Bosch, VanderMeer, and Orpheus on the road to greatness
Review: This fine little dagger of a book should be feared even at the mere mention of its name. Lesser writers throw out hints that horrors are lurking but often fail to deliver - like those many movie trailers that are better than the movie. Veteran readers possess this cynical knowledge. But Mr. VanderMeer is all Bosch with no bosh. The character of Shadrach is like a highland scot and the ruin he seeks to inflict on the Gnostic demiurge-like Quinn shows real psychological insight on Mr. VanderMeer's part. Despair at the harm inflicted on his beloved fills Shadrach with a real moral fury somewhat similar to what the biblical Samson went through before he tore down the temple of the Philistines. The archons who rule the underworld show a demonically boyish good pleasure at collecting people's body parts (I will say no more)that ultimately has no rational basis. The whole apparatus of "collection" in all of its complexity is ultimately founded on absolutely nothing. That also shows Mr. VanderMeer's psychological acuity and does good credit to his interest in surrealism - that wilted stinky rose that enchants as it even repels. I am reminded that in "Castle of Days" Gene Wolfe says that science fiction is really just "chrome-plated" fantasy. I would argue that Mr. VanderMeer is essentially a religious writer but is there any other God presiding over his moral universe other that a demi-urgic Quinn? I must agree with others that Mr. VanderMeer's language is not great. It has a definite power of enchantment in it but he has yet to say something as good or sweeping as "A rose is a rose by any other name" or "Juliet is the sun." I cannot agree with others who feel that the characters are two-dimensional but I would strongly advise Mr. VanderMeer to re-read the great dramatists like Shakespeare, Ibsen, Moliere, and others; and to attend as many plays as possible. Mr. VanderMeer's characters have yet to stand up off the page and stride about as gods or devils breathing fire and scraping the stars. But, of course, Venniss itself is a character, and in it, VanderMeer develops a tradition in fantasy and science fiction in all of its strength. I give the book four stars and lay odds that Mr. VanderMeer is one to watch. He is one of America's most important writers along side of Gene Wolfe, Stephen R. Donaldson, Patricia A. McKillip, and Cormac MacArthy. We will see where he goes in the future. Buy "Venniss Underground"read it, take many cigarette breaks (you'll need them!) and then sip a fine wine after-wards while the wild world of phantasmgoria fills your soul with dread, awe, and laughter at the greatness of a human imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Bosch, VanderMeer, and Orpheus on the road to greatness
Review: This fine little dagger of a book should be feared even at the mere mention of its name. Lesser writers throw out hints that horrors are lurking but often fail to deliver - like those many movie trailers that are better than the movie. Veteran readers possess this cynical knowledge. But Mr. VanderMeer is all Bosch with no bosh. The character of Shadrach is like a highland scot and the ruin he seeks to inflict on the Gnostic demiurge-like Quinn shows real psychological insight on Mr. VanderMeer's part. Despair at the harm inflicted on his beloved fills Shadrach with a real moral fury somewhat similar to what the biblical Samson went through before he tore down the temple of the Philistines. The archons who rule the underworld show a demonically boyish good pleasure at collecting people's body parts (I will say no more)that ultimately has no rational basis. The whole apparatus of "collection" in all of its complexity is ultimately founded on absolutely nothing. That also shows Mr. VanderMeer's psychological acuity and does good credit to his interest in surrealism - that wilted stinky rose that enchants as it even repels. I am reminded that in "Castle of Days" Gene Wolfe says that science fiction is really just "chrome-plated" fantasy. I would argue that Mr. VanderMeer is essentially a religious writer but is there any other God presiding over his moral universe other that a demi-urgic Quinn? I must agree with others that Mr. VanderMeer's language is not great. It has a definite power of enchantment in it but he has yet to say something as good or sweeping as "A rose is a rose by any other name" or "Juliet is the sun." I cannot agree with others who feel that the characters are two-dimensional but I would strongly advise Mr. VanderMeer to re-read the great dramatists like Shakespeare, Ibsen, Moliere, and others; and to attend as many plays as possible. Mr. VanderMeer's characters have yet to stand up off the page and stride about as gods or devils breathing fire and scraping the stars. But, of course, Venniss itself is a character, and in it, VanderMeer develops a tradition in fantasy and science fiction in all of its strength. I give the book four stars and lay odds that Mr. VanderMeer is one to watch. He is one of America's most important writers along side of Gene Wolfe, Stephen R. Donaldson, Patricia A. McKillip, and Cormac MacArthy. We will see where he goes in the future. Buy "Venniss Underground"read it, take many cigarette breaks (you'll need them!) and then sip a fine wine after-wards while the wild world of phantasmgoria fills your soul with dread, awe, and laughter at the greatness of a human imagination.
Rating: 
Summary: Overrated.
Review: This guy still has problems with pronouns and people are practically handing him a Hugo. I'll admit I read it at Pizza Hut, but this book just screams, "Like me! I'm classic!" Bleh.
Rating:
Summary: Very, very good but not for the faint of heart
Review: VanderMeer seems to bask and relish in his partial obscurity. It's that kind of specialized obscurity that allowed "grunge music" in the Pacific Northwest in the 1990's to be labeled "alternative" even when it was being played in top-40 radio stations. More and more, people know and recognize this book and author. It's a fine contribution to the dystopias that will continue to be popular as ethics continue to run far behind scientific progress but it's hard to see it re-shaping the entire genre. Certainly, Veniss Underground is a prime candidate for a very good screenplay (though doubtlessly R-rated and might even need some kind of new NC-30 rating). Some patience in writing and we feel VanderMeer could create something truly astounding.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS:
Those who read and enjoyed City of Saints and Madmen or other stories of Ambergris will be very happy with this book. There is a reason that it is receiving glowing reviews and that is because it is good. It should appeal to a large variety of mainstream readers who are interested in the decay prevalent in modernization, the loss of spirituality in the post-modern world, and those who enjoy unraveling dense allegory to classical works and the Bible. Fans of outright horror in their speculative fiction will find this book as delightful and delicious as any meal of Hanibal Lecter's. This would be an excellent selection for any college course syllabus dealing in speculative fiction.
WHO SHOULD AVOID:
No matter how good this is, if horror film or horror novels make you queasy and sick, this book is absolutely not for you. Certainly children should be dissuaded from reading this book... probably anybody under 25. If King Rat, Fight Club, or Angel Heart, for example, made you a bit sick then stay far, far away from Veniss and try the slightly more genteel Ambergris. If you haven't read Moby Dick, then you should. Read it first.
(...)
Rating: 
Summary: Like an adder's kiss!
Review: Veniss Underground is an entertaining, action-packed story with real characters that develop (or otherwise mutate) as the story progresses. The only problem with the narrative I found was its numerous references to other authors and artists, which probably everybody else will have a great time with (I know, I'm hard to please)! Considering all the virtues of the book it's a trivial problem: from the word go it is an astonishing and vividly written story with some of the most hallucinogenic descriptions this side of Max Ernst. Knowing something of the author's rep as a "literary" writer, it also comes across as a slight anomaly that this is also a tough in-your-face action-adventure that slithers with ease from a scene of grotesque horror to another by way of mind-enlargingly sur/real set pieces. It is a brilliantly visualized nightmare narrative that sustains its momentum, providing enjoyment for those seeking more esoteric joys as well as the casual reader hungry for a snortin' good time. So what's not to like? VanderMeer delivers the goods in more ways than you'd expect.
Rating:
Summary: Holy homicidal meerkats!
Review: Veniss Underground is one of those books that makes you think about it long after you've read the last word. Vandermeer's prose is astonishingly good, and even though the novel is on the slim side, it packs in so much phantasmagoric detail that you'll swear you've read something twice as long. Vandermeer's style is Gene Wolfe mixed with Samuel Delany and a dash of Hieronymous Bosch added. Simply phenomenal. I definitely see this making some award lists next year. I'm still out of breath, two months after putting it down.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not classic
Review: Veniss Underground is the first work by Vandermeer that I have read, and I must say that I was impressed. It is sci-fi that reads like fantasy, and it brims over with grotesque imagery that one might expect to find in a horror work (kind of like the short stories of Jeffrey Thomas, whose collection Punktown is in a similar vein with this novel). Vandermeer's treatment of "living art" is spectacular, especially when he goes completely over the top and depicts a wholly bioengineered world of Bosch-like deformity (making me the 5,000th person to use that adjective in relation to this book). There are some other beautifully horrific parts, such as a visit to a very unsanitary organ bank. Vandermeer seems to excel at creating bizarre settings. The plot is quite gripping as well, I read the novel in around four hours.
However, this is by no means a perfect book. Though Vandermeer is in his element when depicting the grotesque and surrealistic, he often fails in his depiction of the human. The characters are quite two-dimensional, which is more forgivable in a work that is not explicitly character focused, but in a novel such as this one where a large portion of the narrative is devoted to interactions between the three main characters it is a major failing. Also, Vandermeer's prose, while serviceable, is not the kind that, upon finishing a sentence, makes you sit back and say, "My, that was an original/beautiful application of the English language." In the end however, these are minor quibbles. Veniss Underground is an absorbing, thought-provoking read that manages to pack quite an emotional punch. Good stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not classic
Review: Veniss Underground is the first work by Vandermeer that I have read, and I must say that I was impressed. It is sci-fi that reads like fantasy, and it brims over with grotesque imagery that one might expect to find in a horror work (kind of like the short stories of Jeffrey Thomas, whose collection Punktown is in a similar vein with this novel). Vandermeer's treatment of "living art" is spectacular, especially when he goes completely over the top and depicts a wholly bioengineered world of Bosch-like deformity (making me the 5,000th person to use that adjective in relation to this book). There are some other beautifully horrific parts, such as a visit to a very unsanitary organ bank. Vandermeer seems to excel at creating bizarre settings. The plot is quite gripping as well, I read the novel in around four hours.
However, this is by no means a perfect book. Though Vandermeer is in his element when depicting the grotesque and surrealistic, he often fails in his depiction of the human. The characters are quite two-dimensional, which is more forgivable in a work that is not explicitly character focused, but in a novel such as this one where a large portion of the narrative is devoted to interactions between the three main characters it is a major failing. Also, Vandermeer's prose, while serviceable, is not the kind that, upon finishing a sentence, makes you sit back and say, "My, that was an original/beautiful application of the English language." In the end however, these are minor quibbles. Veniss Underground is an absorbing, thought-provoking read that manages to pack quite an emotional punch. Good stuff.
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