Keaton401_small
Reputation: 92
Follow 0
Follow 1

China Mieville -- where to start?

Looks kind of interesting, but which one to start with?

Roscoe asked in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report

Answer this question or share it with a smart friend:

Avatar_default
Type your answer here…

Asker's Favorite

  • Medium_2868373187_b2c11c89cf_o_small
    Reputation: 2266
    Follow 2

    He is fantastic. Where to start would depend on what you want.

    If you want to be blown away with complex, deep, and transcendental writing then start with Perdido Street Station. Down side? It can be a tough read just because it is so dense, and to really appreciate the book you gotta read it like three times.

    If you want to start with his more accessible books, but ones that will still let you see his genius and come to understand a bit of his writing style then I would recommend you start with Kraken.

    Have fun!

    Basil answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
Latest Greatest

6 Other Answers

  • Hiking8-24-09attilden_97_small
    Reputation: 71
    Follow 0

    My personal favorite one is the City and the City.

    cupcake answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Dinolock_small
    Reputation: 976
    Follow 0

    Perdido Street Station is his second book and, in my experience, his most popular (aka the one I hear about the most). I've had it on my to-read list for years.

    protosaurus answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Photo_49_small
    Reputation: 306
    Follow 0

    I agree with Perdido Street Station, mainly because it's an excellent entry point to the world of Bas-Lag. The Scar is even better, and The Iron Council is almost as good as The Scar. You'll get sucked into the world pretty easily, and I'm so eager for more books set in Bas-Lag.

    If you want something a bit closer to the world you know, The City and the City is ideal. King Rat is okay, but definitely a first novel.

    Avoid Un Lun Dun, which is meant for kids, and frankly, just not that compelling.

    Gitai Ben-Ammi answered in General Book Discussion 2 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Dscn0421_small
    Reputation: 1195
    Follow 2

    Perdido Street Station, for sure. It's his best in my opinion.

    Sphinx answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Img_5852_small
    Reputation: 775
    Follow 0

    Thanks for this post. I read "Un Lun Dun" a few months ago and was thoroughly UNDERWHELMED. Great concept, but it felt so slap-dashed together. Blergh. But with these other reviews, I might give him another chance.

    Tracy M answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend:
  • Rev_dol_small
    Reputation: 46
    Follow 0

    I also concur with the suggestion of "Perdido Street Station". It's the only one I have checked out so far, but it has definitely left me hunger for more.

    Timothy Blankenship answered in General Book Discussion 9 months ago | Report
    Comment on this answer
    Share this answer with a friend: