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Annihilation
Annihilation

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of Annihilation is here in full — 274 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Isabel Ostrander • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Annihilation
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.
At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.
The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.
“We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”
Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.
0:00 / 0:00
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Annihilation

Chapter XIV

Chapter 14 of Annihilation is here in full — 274 sentences across 55 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.
Line 2
At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.
/æt ɪts kənˈkluːʒən ðə ˈmedəkəl eɡˈzæmənərz əˈsɪstənt wɑːz əˈnaʊnst/
Line 3
The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.
Line 4
“We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”
Line 5
Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

afternoon's noun US /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/

possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
colleague noun US /ˈkɑːliɡ/

an associate that one works with

From this reading “The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
differed verb US /ˈdɪfərd/

past form of “differ” — be different

From this reading “THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discreetly adverb US /dɪˈskriːtli/

with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint

From this reading “The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
examiner's noun US /eɡˈzæmənərz/

possessive form of “examiner” — someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inspector's noun US /ˌɪnˈspektərz/

possessive form of “inspector” — a high ranking police officer

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lengthening noun US /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/

the act of prolonging something

From this reading “Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Orbit noun US /ˈɔːrbət/

the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another

From this reading “THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

lengthening shadows noun + noun counted as “lengthening shadow”

In this reading “Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.”

245 times in 426,211 chapters
late afternoon adjective + noun

In this reading “Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.”

1,990 times in 426,211 chapters
listened carefully verb + particle counted as “listen carefully”

In this reading “THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.”

498 times in 426,211 chapters
went down verb + adjective counted as “go down”

move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

In this reading “Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.”

68,434 times in 426,211 chapters
in detail preposition + noun

thoroughly (including all important particulars)

In this reading “THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.”

4,013 times in 426,211 chapters
differed in verb + particle counted as “differ in”

In this reading “THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.”

1,878 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 65

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

afternoonnounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːn/

the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
afternoon'snounUS /ˌæftərˈnuːnz/

possessive form of “afternoon” — the part of the day between noon and evening

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
announcedadjectiveUS /əˈnaʊnst/

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
assistantnounUS /əˈsɪstənt/

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BALLOONnounUS /bəˈluːn/

large tough nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
benefitnounUS /ˈbenəfɪt/

financial assistance in time of need

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BLUEadjectiveUS /bluː/

of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
carefullyadverbUS /ˈkerfəli/

taking care or paying attention

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
colleaguenounUS /ˈkɑːliɡ/

an associate that one works with

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
conclusionnounUS /kənˈkluːʒən/

a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Dennis

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Pending verification
descendedverbUS /dɪˈsendəd/

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
descriptionnounUS /dɪˈskrɪpʃən/

a statement that represents something in words

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
differedverbUS /ˈdɪfərd/

past form of “differ” — be different

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
discreetlyadverbUS /dɪˈskriːtli/

with discretion; prudently and with wise self-restraint

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
effaced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

Pending verification
examiner'snounUS /eɡˈzæmənərz/

possessive form of “examiner” — someone who administers a test to determine your qualifications

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
experienceverbUS /ɪkˈspɪriəns/

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
gettingnounUS /ˈɡetɪŋ/

the act of acquiring something

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
inspectornounUS /ˌɪnˈspektər/

a high ranking police officer

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
inspector'snounUS /ˌɪnˈspektərz/

possessive form of “inspector” — a high ranking police officer

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
it's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

Pending verification
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
leavingnounUS /ˈliːvɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
lengtheningnounUS /ˈleŋθənɪŋ/

the act of prolonging something

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
listenedverbUS /ˈlɪsənd/

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
McCarty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Pending verification
medicaladjectiveUS /ˈmedəkəl/

relating to the study or practice of medicine

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
morbidadjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrbəd/

suggesting an unhealthy mental state

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OrbitnounUS /ˈɔːrbət/

the (usually elliptical) path described by one celestial body in its revolution about another

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
relishnounUS /ˈrelɪʃ/

vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shadowsnounUS /ˈʃædoʊz/

plural of “shadow” — shade within clear boundaries

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sighedverbUS /saɪd/

past form of “sigh” — heave or utter a sigh; breathe deeply and heavily

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stepsnounUS /steps/

a flight of stairs or a flight of steps

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
toldverbUS /toʊld/

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
tragicadjectiveUS /ˈtrædʒɪk/

very sad; especially involving grief or death or destruction

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading At its conclusion the medical examiner’s assistant was announced.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading THE BLUE BALLOON Orbit told of the afternoon’s tragic experience again in detail for the inspector’s benefit and McCarty and Dennis listened carefully, but it differed in no way from his first description.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
We're

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

Pending verification
wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Dennis sighed with morbid relish as they went down the steps and out into the lengthening shadows of late afternoon.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading “We’re leaving just when it’s getting good!”

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The inspector descended with Orbit but McCarty and his colleague discreetly effaced themselves.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 14 of Annihilation by Isabel Ostrander holds 274 sentences, grouped into 55 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 14 of Annihilation contain?

Chapter 14 holds 274 sentences of Annihilation, unabridged, divided into 55 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 14 of Annihilation by Isabel Ostrander exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 274 sentences, grouped into 55 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 14 of Annihilation?

Work through the 55 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 55 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 14 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 14 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Annihilation

Common questions about reading Annihilation by Isabel Ostrander on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Annihilation?

Yes. All 5459 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #72948 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Annihilation is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #72948, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Annihilation take to read?

About 454 minutes of reading across 1092 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Annihilation section by section

How to work through Annihilation section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of Annihilation to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Annihilation

Words and structures a reader meets early in Annihilation, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Italic
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Annihilation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Displayed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Annihilation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Printed
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Annihilation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
United
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Annihilation; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.