In 'Birnam Wood,' a fateful landslide in New Zealand's South Island renders a farm deserted and presents a golden opportunity for a guerrilla gardening collective known as Birnam Wood, led by the resolute Mira. The group sees in this calamity a chance to finally attain financial stability. However, their path collides with that of Robert Lemoine, an American billionaire with cryptic motives who has claimed the land to construct a bunker for doomsday scenarios. As Mira and her collective tentatively interact with Lemoine, they find themselves entrapped in a web of trust and suspicion. Their encounter spirals into a psychological battle that probes deeply into their beliefs, sparking a series of events that challenge the essence of their survival. Eleanor Catton's narrative marries Shakespearean dramatics with Austenian wit, crafting a tale that scrutinizes human nature, ambition, and the relentless drive for self-preservation.