Thank you to everyone that joined the read along for this weird fiction classic. A truly unique novel that is perfect for fans of Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and Horror #booktube #bookreview #fantasy Join the GRIMOIRE Discord: / discord
Mievelle is probably not for everyone but this book and the 'sequel' Scar are masterpieces in my opinion. I've read a bunch of other Mievelle books and enjoyed them but none of them are as good as Perdido Street and Scar. I think Mievelle is credited as being the author that defined the genre "new weird".
Excellent review Baron!! I agree with so many of your points! China’s descriptions of the city and the inhabitants were so vivid and I was very impressed by his writing style! What you said about how the political messages pushed the plot forward instead of being forced into the story and being out of place is so accurate and I 100% agree with that point! I absolutely felt the pacing issues in the halfway point of the book and at first I thought it was just me lol it was nice to hear I wasn’t alone in that one! Great review man!!
I thought his prose was brilliant, and he is a literary genius IMO. The plot and characters were less memorable, but his imagery was off the charts. This actually feels more like a true literature classic than a fantasy novel.
Just finished this one and it was like nothing I have ever read. Mieville went for it and stuck the landing imo. At first I hated the idea of a POV with a scarab head. However, Mieville provides Lin with so many multilayered characteristics that she becomes such a believable character. The world building was exceptional but a bit long winded at times. Your so right, the pacing started off great, but about the 2/3s through it hit a slog. I need to look up what your saying about the authors politics and it's impact found with in the story. This was such an amazing review!!
Yes, I am finding the same, especially with his prose. I have not really read a book like it. I am currently only a third through but your video came up on my feed (Google knows all) so I'm here checking out what another thought about it.
Great review! You covered a lot of ground and really encapsulated the book. I’m so glad you read this and talked about it. If you decide to do a spoiler discussion that would very cool.
There was this rythym to his writing that I really enjoyed. It felt like a dark spiral that I could not help but go down to. Looking forward to reading his other books.
Well said! I really like it being described that way. I plan to read more in future. We are probably going to do a read along for The Scar if you have any interest
Dang, now I wish I knew about your read along before I read Perdido Street Station, I would have loved to have people to talk with about PSS. But I agree, I thought that this book was amazing, packed to the brim with wild concepts and great characters. I agree that the book did drag in places and got a bit tangenty with the science, but I was always invested in the world and what was going to happen in it. The ending was also heart breaking, but emotionally satisfying as well. I'm now onto the other two books of his Bas Lag series, I completed The Scar and now I'm reading Iron Council. I really enjoyed your video, I subbed to your channel and joined your discord!
Well said! I totally agree with your breakdown. There will be many more read alongs on the server. Hopefully we can link up on one soon. Thank you so much for the support, you’re awesome!
This book was a pleasant surprise, turned out to be one of my favourite reads of the year so far! I put off reading this for so long, mostly intimidated by what readers had described as difficult prose. After the prologue, I thought it was pretty smooth sailing. Unique setting with unique characters, glad I read it.
I definitely need to give this another shot at some point. I dnf’d when I first tried it shortly after it was released. I wasn’t hating it, just wasn’t gripped by the story as much as I planned to be. In other words, a me problem. Wish I had been able to jump on the readalong, but already up to my eyeballs in planned books to read. Awesome stuff sir!
Excellent review Baron, I've still to read this but I am looking forward to it. I'm currently mostly focused on standalones so it might get read one of these days.
Terrific review, Baron. I’ve always thought the city, New Crobuzon, is the main character in the book, the worldbuilding is so fascinating. Mieville’s novels are a little uneven (across his books) for me, but fortunately, they read mostly as standalones. Also, even the books of his I haven’t loved I’ve always found to be interesting reads. When a society melds medievalism, steampunk and 24th century genetic manipulation, it’s hard to avoid being interesting.
Thanks! That is a great way to put it. I haven’t thought about it that way and I think you are absolutely right. Definitely looking forward to more of his works
I do agree that this book dragged a lot, especially towards the end. But the writing and the ideas are mindblowing. PS: Both Mieville and Barker claim Mervyn Peake as an influence and this is probably where the florid, overdescriptive style comes from
Excellent review Baron! You almost make me want to try it again, although not for a while. I did enjoy his style, and enjoyed the political landscape, but the world was a bit too jarring for me. Your comparison to Barker was intriguing, as he’s another one I do want to read.
Thanks Chas! I really appreciate it :) yeah I guess they both site Mervyn Peake as a big influence and source of inspiration which makes a lot of sense. That florid prose style is something I really dig. But I think I am in the minority on that lol. Once you add the fantastique and macabre to it I’m in love 🤣
@@YourBrainonBooks I didn't like the direction the story was taking. The writing didn't engage me. I'll read other work by him in the future. Sometimes debut novels don't measure up.
