BarringtonLibrary Reads discussion

Cheers to the New Year! It's time for us to read and discuss "Borne" by Jeff VanderMeer. Leave your first impressions, observations, and questions in the comments below.

To get the conversation started, here are some questions to think about -

The title of the novel—a past participle of the verb “to bear”—is also the name that Rachel gives the being she finds and brings home to Wick, who once said of a creature he created at the Company, “He was born, but I had borne him” (p. 17). What do you think Wick meant by that? Why is the name significant in the context of the novel?

Some beings and places in the novel have names (e.g., Rachel, Wick, Mord, Balcony Cliffs) while others just have generic labels (e.g., the city, the Company, the Magician). Why do you think VanderMeer chose to present each of these beings and settings this way? What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of having a name in this dystopian world?

Did you find yourself aligning with Rachel’s actions and reactions to Borne and the world around her or did you relate more to the way Wick thought and acted? Can you give some examples?

"But I had borne him" speaks to the burden that Wick carries, especially the burden of isolation and sadness. I think the burden of Borne also stems from the guilt Wick feels for feeling like Borne was his creation which was also the catalyst for the destruction of the Company.

With names vs. labels, the first thing that stands out to me is the difference between the specific and what's real vs. what's imaginary or grandiose or magical. I think it also is something that I like to see in dystopian novels because it really goes to show the loss of civilization and community and that what's only real or at least real to the reader are the specifics. Ever since "The Man" and "The Boy" from Cormac Macarthy's 'The Road', the specific vs. label has been a really powerful thing I look for.

I found it really interesting reading this book because I actually found myself leaning towards someone in the opposite direction than what may have been intended. When Rachel was the primary voice and defending Borne or hiding him, I was always in Wick's corner, empathizing with how fearful he must have been at losing what he had scavenged and survived for. But, when he began to be more direct about his feeling and attempting to create an ultimatum or hard rules, I would lean towards Rachel because it started to become clear that he was acting out of cowardice instead of survival.

I understand Wick's statement to mean that, although Borne was born somewhere, he truly was born of Rachel. In many ways, Rachel was a mother, teacher, and confidante to Borne. There was a strong familial tie that she constructed and it affected Borne and its emotional growth. Rachel's influence helped shape Borne.

Personally, I dislike unnamed characters, especially main characters. So I'm glad that Rachel, Wick, and Borne were given names. I liked the generic names given to the secondary and tertiary characters in Borne. It kept the focus on the main characters as if the others were insignificant and unworthy of naming. It also seems to go along with the concept of "borne." That we are born when we are named. Even the name "Mord" is not original, but rather a shortened nickname for murder.

Rachel was such a fascinating and deep character that I felt myself in sync with her decisions, thoughts, and perspective. I agree with Kendryck that I found myself sympathizing with Rachel and Wick, in turn. I'm a believer in understanding things, but I don't need to take them apart. Rachel was analytical and Wick was practical with their science and quest for understanding. They were a great team that way.