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streator 's review for:
Perdido Street Station
by China Miéville
Three thing to begin with: First, I have read many books where you had to work hard to understand the milieu in which the author has placed his or her characters (N. K. Jamisin's Broken Earth series is an excellent example of this, where paying attention to what is going on in the story gradually makes the book richer and fuller). I think this is what China Mieville trying to do with this book. However, understanding the setting in this book takes a lot of work on the part of the reader and I am just not sure it is worth the effort. Once you get a fuller understanding of the incredibly complex universe he has created, I don't think that this understanding necessarily advances your appreciation of the story.
Second, I have read several of Mr. Mieville's book and I have to say, I don't recall any that were so, uh, scatological in nature. I don't recall reading another book that focused so repeatedly on bodily fluids (both human and of other races), sewage in general and the results of all kinds of pollution. I am not sure the repeated use of this trope throughout the book advanced the story any. And, in the end, it got in the way for me.
Third, his efforts to become the Henry James of Science fiction by his use of endlessly describing the surroundings or the activities of one character or another almost made one believe he was being paid by the word. It became tiring after a while.
But on to the positive stuff. Yes, Mr. Mieville is a man who's books are filled with fascinating ideas, interesting characters and bombast. With respect to these traits, Perdido Street Station fills the ticket. A fully realized universe, a winding, multi-threaded plot and plenty of action. I think it was a brave attempt and I bet a lot of people liked it a lot, it just didn't click with me.
Second, I have read several of Mr. Mieville's book and I have to say, I don't recall any that were so, uh, scatological in nature. I don't recall reading another book that focused so repeatedly on bodily fluids (both human and of other races), sewage in general and the results of all kinds of pollution. I am not sure the repeated use of this trope throughout the book advanced the story any. And, in the end, it got in the way for me.
Third, his efforts to become the Henry James of Science fiction by his use of endlessly describing the surroundings or the activities of one character or another almost made one believe he was being paid by the word. It became tiring after a while.
But on to the positive stuff. Yes, Mr. Mieville is a man who's books are filled with fascinating ideas, interesting characters and bombast. With respect to these traits, Perdido Street Station fills the ticket. A fully realized universe, a winding, multi-threaded plot and plenty of action. I think it was a brave attempt and I bet a lot of people liked it a lot, it just didn't click with me.