Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
The plot of the book was good, but the world he created was fascinating to me. I want all my friends to read it, but I don't want to give anything away, so it's hard to explain to them!
China Mieville is an author I will always be in awe of. Their books are clever and unique in a way I've rarely seen. The City and the City is perhaps more accessible than other works by the author and along with Perdido Street Station is their most widely read.
On its surface a murder mystery/ detective novel, it is also seemingly a commentary on life and privilege (if you pretend not to see it, it isn't there). The main schtick of the novel is two cities being on top (or side by side) one another, where it is illegal to see into the other city (even though everyone can).
Overall enjoyable, if a bit heavy handed sometimes, but I preferred Perdido Street Station. Though I am glad I finally picked it up.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
This was the March read for the Sword and Laser podcast, and also continues my short streak of noir-feeling mysteries. The City & The City is a slightly sci-fi take on the genre. Inspector Borlu tries to solve the murder of a young woman in his home city, which is intermingled with another city. However, residents from each city are forbidden from seeing or acknowledging each other, lest they bring the wrath of the mysterious power known as “Breach.”
As a reader, you are both trying to solve the murder and also figure out the mystery of these two cities and how they co-exist (or don’t). It’s a fascinating plot device and I will forewarn you that not everything is tied up neatly at the end - I’m still thinking about it!
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Car accident
Liked
- The mystery: it kept me going
- Pace
- Unanswered questions: There are a few things that don't get explained, and whys and how are left to readers imagination. These certainly don't take away from the story itself but add to the mystery.
Disliked
Pop culture references: I personally think they detract from read, and possibly make the novel short-lived.
- The mystery: it kept me going
- Pace
- Unanswered questions: There are a few things that don't get explained, and whys and how are left to readers imagination. These certainly don't take away from the story itself but add to the mystery.
Disliked
Pop culture references: I personally think they detract from read, and possibly make the novel short-lived.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The use of language and tone is so distinct it kept me intrigued and a bit of an outsider to the world(s) the book contained. I was so deeply drawn into this strangeness that was also familiar and foreign that for most of the book I forgot it was written in first person. In the end I do not have the “world building” answers that I want from this story, and yet I wouldn’t want the story to be anything else because it provoke so many thoughts.
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No