TheNudeSurrealist
1/3
Finished reading China Mieville's novel Un Lun Dun. I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was a blast to read and very funny. I particularly liked the twist (which I won't reveal) and the inventiveness throughout. He must have had a lot of fun writing it and it shows. IMO it rivals the Alice In Wonderland books in its mix of very gentle body horror, surrealism, and satire of politics. Mr. Speaker is right up there with Humpty Dumpty, and the illustrations recall John Tenniel's.
#BookReview #mieville
Apr 8, 2025 at 7:05pmWeb
Show threadTheNudeSurrealistApr 8, 2025

2/3
It's also very sweet in its own way.

I did have some issues with a certain... thing that appears towards the end, which again I won't reveal since I really don't want this review to have any spoilers. In a book that is more adult-oriented, that, uh, thing, would have been considered a big cliche. On the other hand Mieville used it to great effect and showing its effects was really a blast each time.

Show threadTheNudeSurrealistApr 8, 2025
3/3
It was written right after his Bas-Lag trilogy, and at first I thought I'd define it as YA Perdido Street Station, but that wouldn't do it justice, it's its own thing. I read Perdido a long time ago, very close to the time it was published (still have it on my bookshelf) but now I think I like Un Lon Don more. I haven't read yet all his works, but from those I have, my favorite Mieville novel remains The Scar. I'm thinking of tackling either Kraken or his short stories next.
Show threadC. KnodelApr 8, 2025
@TheNudeSurrealist
I liked The City & the City very much and I loved reading Embassytown but my favourite is Railsea even it's hardly more than a funny game.
Show threadVeitNttbm83Apr 22, 2025
@knodel @TheNudeSurrealist I'm currently about 1/3 in 'The Scar' and really enjoying it. PS-Station is about 10 years ago for me so really feels like returning to Bas-Lag! City&City, Railsea and that Paris-Painter-Story all were good but didn't reach the imaginatory+storytelling power of PSS and now the Scar. Already looking forward to the Iron Council... will keep an eye on Un Lun Dun ;)