Perdido Street Station | Book Review 

I was recommended this book years ago by an old friend and the images China painted in my mind still live there. I'm realizing more and more as time goes on that this is not only an allegory, but also a political and spiritual allegory. I loved the occult references to the divine principles of masculine and feminine embodied in the characters. The references to natural law and that universal law will always have the last say, whether we choose to live in harmony with it or not. The fact that there were some things in this book left without closure is actually somewhat satisfying, as it reflects the reality that in life we may never get closure on things that we go through in the human experience. Thank you for this detailed book review. And for anyone who is thinking about reading this one and hasn't yet; do it, you won't regret it!

Read this about four years ago and loved it! Must get around to The Scar.

Been a little intimidated by the size of it, maybe one day? I do like Mieville, I've read City and the City(4 or 5 *) and EmbassyTown (lots of*) both weird stories but both very good! Mieville is also an interesting person IRL.

It was my first Miéville too via audiobook. It starts off a bit weird but quickly gets into its groove. I'm so glad you liked it, I knew you would. I will say that despite spurring me to read a few more of his novels I have yet to see it's brilliance reappear in his work. But then I haven't read either of the New Crobuzon sequels yet. Perhaps it was the amazing world he creates, because you're right, it is a world like no other.

I just finished reading this! I absolutely agree that the end was abrupt after all that (devastating and rage-inducing) stuff had just occurred. I absolutely loved it though; one of the most impressive, interesting and unique worlds I’ve ever read!

One of my all-time favorite books. I've never read anything else like it!

This book is amazing, I think people like Mercedes would love it because it is literary, fabulist, dark, fantasy. I don't like fantasy a lot but this is one of my favourite books. The next book is even better. The Scar - it's amazing

Good review. This was my first Mieville too and loved it, as you know. There's so much to this book it's incredible.

The City and the City is pretty good too. I just recently finished the audiobook and - like you - I now want to read more of his works. PSS sounds interesting, but I'm totally intimidated by its size and that it's part of a series! Might wuss out and try a shorter standalone first...

I have had this book on my shelf for so long and have never got around to it. I will have to try and make a determined effort to do so now. Fabulous review x

I found it to be intimidating but once I got into it... wow!

Cool, I needed your recommendation. It's been on my TBR for a while now.

i am so glad you featured this one, it is one of my favourites and never seen it featured before. Highly recomend The Scar!

I love New Weird stories.

I've just read this, absolutely loved the experience. Thank you for the review. I agree with grunge like astheyic

Just finished this book last night, now one of my favorites!

One of my all time favorites. Genre bending and fantastic world building.

Great book, but I think "The Scar" is my favourite of his New Crobuzon novels.

I’m only on page 20 but the “weirdness” doesn’t bother me at all. I’ve read William S. Burroughs which has all sorts of filth and bug sex and drugs. I also read Philip K. Dick who creates some weird worlds for his stories. When I read fantasy, I want the author(ess) to go full ahead with imagination.

I started the City and the City but stopped with it. This sounds interesting!

Have you read anymore of his work? I read Embassytown, Kraken, Unlundun and The Scar. All were good, engaging reads but Perdido Street Station seems to be his best.

I love Perdido Street Station and the other Bas-Lag novels. I agree that Mieville struggles with the conclusion. It, honestly, seems to be a recurring issue for him.

Good review!

Your video helped me write an essay. Thank you for that :-)

👍Audio IT is. thank god for that. :)

Great review. Unfortunately, I was completely creeped out by this book and the ending. Just not for me.

great review! I'm a bit embarrassed to ask, but could you write down the lyrics to your intro/outro? :) I have no problem understanding you talking whatsoever, but there are some words in the little songs that I can't understand and it drives me crazy everytime! :D

That sounds very weird