Contemporary fiction has at its core a fascination with human existence and how we navigate the world we inhabit. And what better way to explore our relationship with the world than by delving into the very structure of the Earth itself?

In recent years, there has been a surge of literary works that use the physical landscape as a backdrop to explore themes of human existence, identity, and consciousness. These stories take readers on a journey beyond the surface of the Earth, probing deeper into its layers – both physical and metaphorical – to uncover what lies beneath.

At the forefront of this movement is the genre of cli-fi, or climate fiction, which presents a future Earth drastically altered by human activities. In these stories, the Earth’s structure is used as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of our actions. Take, for example, Jeff Vandermeer’s award-winning novel “Annihilation” where a team of scientists enter a mysterious area known as Area X, and encounter a mysterious and ever-changing landscape. As they delve deeper into the area, they discover that the Earth itself is being transformed by something beyond their understanding, mirroring the transformation of their own identities and relationships.

Similarly, in Silvina Ocampo’s “The Topography of Tears,” a collection of stories set in a dystopian world where climate change has altered the very structure of the Earth, readers are taken on a journey through landscapes that reflect the emotional upheaval experienced by the characters. The stories are a poignant exploration of how human emotions and relationships are intertwined with the Earth’s physical structure.

But it’s not just cli-fi that is using the Earth as a literary device. Many contemporary works of fiction play with the concept of the Earth’s layers in more subtle ways. Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing,” for example, follows the lineage of a family over seven generations, and each chapter is set in a different time period and location. As readers journey through the generations, we see how the characters’ lives are shaped by their environment and the Earth’s ever-changing landscape.

In “The Bone Clocks” by David Mitchell, the Earth’s physical structure is used to symbolize the larger forces at play in the world, both seen and unseen. The novel weaves a complex web of interconnected stories, spanning decades and continents, all set against the backdrop of a world in perpetual turmoil. As the characters navigate their personal and societal struggles, the underlying forces that shape the Earth they inhabit become increasingly apparent.

These examples are just scratching the surface of the diverse ways in which contemporary fiction is exploring the Earth’s structure. From magical realist tales to high-concept science fiction, authors are using the physical landscape as a lens to examine the human condition.

But why has the Earth’s structure captured the imaginations of so many contemporary writers? Perhaps it is because we are living in a time of immense change, where the actions of humans are drastically redefining the world we live in. These stories act as a reminder of our interconnectedness with the Earth and the consequences of our actions. They also offer a glimmer of hope, imagining a future where we can still find beauty and meaning in a transformed world.

In many ways, the Earth’s structure is a reflection of our own inner landscapes. We may not be aware of its intricacies and complexities on a daily basis, but it underpins our very existence. In exploring the Earth’s structure in contemporary fiction, authors are inviting us to delve deeper into our own sense of self and our place in the world.

So the next time you pick up a contemporary novel, pay attention to how the Earth’s structure is used as a literary device. You may find yourself on a journey through the layers of the Earth and your own consciousness, gaining a deeper understanding of our complex relationship with the world we call home.