Title: Borne

Author: Jeff VanderMeer

Date of First Publication: 2017

Place of Publication: MCD

Type: Novel

Characters: No Character

Themes: ANDROID; MAD SCIENTIST/MONSTER; SYMPATHETIC MONSTER

Critical Summary:  In a ruined, abandoned, and dangerous city, Rachel survives as a scavenger. One day, Rachel finds a little green lump during a scavenging mission and takes it home. She names it Borne and raises “him” as her child. Her life changes because Borne makes Rachel open her heart and feel a protectiveness that she cannot normally afford. However, Borne is not a human being. He is a weapon. To Rachel, Borne is a weapon that can destroy everything but may finally choose to save human beings.

The fear of a monster and the depression of desolation have been devouring Rachel’s heart. Like other survivors of a ruined world, Rachel has forgotten what beauty and love are. She cannot fully trust people, even her lover, Wick. However, Borne is like an innocent child who likes to ask a lot of questions. Many of these questions appear simple but are difficult to answer because they awake memories and feelings that have been sealed in Rachel’s heart. Moreover, some of the answers require hope for the future that Rachel does not believe she can ever attain again.

Her feeling of protectiveness is the ultimate transformation in Rachel’s life. It is likewise the primary aspect that Borne has learned from Rachel and absorbed as his mission. It is an expression of love because it makes them realize how precious they are to each other. Rachel, as a mother and teacher to Borne, learns alongside Borne by the lessons she teaches him.

Before having Borne, color in Rachel’s life had lost its vibrancy. Bright colors no longer brought her warm feelings, and the whole world was covered in a lifeless grey. Borne causes Rachel’s life to become vivid again as she tries to teach Borne what a real world is supposed to look like and what it means to have family. Borne makes Rachel see beauty in the desolation around her—it is not simply about the scenery they can sometimes still find, but also the undying hope and ability to love. Borne reveals a colorful picture to be saved in Rachel’s heart—a good life in a peaceful world.

Even though Borne is not a human being, he somehow is more sensitive than a real person. He knows he is a weapon by default, but he wants to protect Rachel, who he considers as his only family. He comes to know the real meaning of love, though Rachel never thought he could truly understand. Love is a complicated word which contains so many elements: feeling, responsibility, trust, or even sacrifice. Borne, who, in Rachel’s mind may someday become a monster, ultimately sacrifices himself to save Rachel because he wants to bring a life of color back to her. Borne is a monster who yearns to be a simple yet happy human. He wants to love and protect what he has. By losing Borne, Rachel finally finds her way to hope.

 

Administrative Notes: Yan Zhou, CSUF; Christian Bazinet (Editing)