[SirRob]

I've read a lot of stuff about this book throughout the forum. What exactly is it and whats it about. I can't find it in any of my local bookshops.

[Cannon Fodder]

As chance would have it I started reading this very book today. Kind of unusual so far, but I can't really comment on it from the little I've read. I have a feeling that I'll really like it or hate it.

[estranghero]

Hmmm, read it only this year...

The funny thing about the reviews of this book is that its mixed. Try going through the reviews in Amazon. You'll get the impression it's either cutting edge speculative fiction stuff or its a real slow boat to boredom. Had a good laugh about that. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0345443020/qid%3D1009636360/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F0%5F1/102-9075485-4510558

Rather than tell you what the story is about, I'll tell you what attracted me. I think that Mielville opened new ground in the fantasy area or went into those areas that are relatively unused.

This is because it touches on some stuff that are classic yet not overdone (i.e. the fantastic city full of mystery and wonders, New Crobunzon) and yet tries out other stuff that's relatively unused in fantasy fiction, i.e. the use of new species like the cactus people, the vodyanoi, and the garuda. (On a side note, I like the fact that these species are not limited to the european side. The garuda I think is Asian, the vodyanoi is Russian, and the cactus people... well, you get my drift http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif).

Aside from that, it also tries to be realistic as much as possible.

Now the cons: well, you could say that the action is a bit slow to start and that it needs tighter plotting, etc. Some of the reviews may have a point though I'm more forgiving than that, I guess.

But I guess that depends on how you like your stories. For me, PSS is a nice drink (whether alcohol or not) that needs to be savored going down the throat rather than gulped.

Whew. That was on the top of my mind, can't think anymore. I'll let the others say their piece. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Llama]

PSS is in the distinguished tradition of fantastic literature where the main character is not an individual but a city, in this case the metropolis of New Crobuzon, where a number of different races of beings coexist. Mieville has a wonderful imagination and his characters are well developed. The only complaint I have is that I think he needs to develop a writing style - I think his style is a bit flat, which is the same complaint I have about Gaiman. The book is heavily influenced by Peake's Gormenghast and Harrison's Viriconium (two works that ooze style, oddly). But PSS is very good, IMO one of the best books of last year and well worth getting. Be forewarned it's rather dark -- not a quick light read.

[Alucard]

I'd say perdido is a mixed bag. On one hand, the plot is rather loose. Meiville seems to tell the story in a very roundabout way, and at times I was wondering where he was going with all the subplots- sometimes for a very long time. But on the other hand, this book is filled with so many creative and thought provoking ideas that it'll blow you away...or, at least it did for me. Some of his ideas, like the weaver, the ambassadors (specifically the one to hell), the garudo...friggin' genius. But there were certainly times when I wished the book would get on with it. It seemed I was either enjoying it immensely, or feeling a little bored. A real rollercoaster. But in the end, I definitely reccomend it. The story is one that'll stick with you.

[Gabe]

I found the prose and dialogue to be good at best and amateurish at worst. His pseudoscience was tedious. It was tantamount to a twelve year old author rambling on about demon hordes and vampire lords.

[Shehzad]

A topic about Perdido Street Station-- how could I resist?

I found PSS to be one of the best books I have read. Although his writing style has been crticized as sometimes a bit excessive, I found it to be lyrical and at times almost poetic.

The creativity in there is just amazing. Mieville skilfully avoids almost all the conventions of the genre and the end result is a fresh, inventive and potentially seminal book.

The use of species is fantasitic. They are unlike any other I've ever seen. The Weaver in particular is a masterful creation-- one of the most peculiar and interesting characters I've ever read. The other characters are also 3-dimensional, yet shaded. There are no classic "heroes" or "villains" here and that tends to make it believable.

Of course, my favourite thing about the book (apart from the Weaver) is the setting of New Croubazon. The city seizes center stage effortlessly from the characters, dominating the storyline and drawing the reader in. Superb.

My least favourite part about the book: the pseudoscience as others have mentioned. It did get a bit obstrusive at times but I was willing to put up with it.

This was certainly a book where most of the pleasure was in the reading. I used to dwell on each page, savouring it before turning it, rather than flipping through towards the climax as one tends to do in other books...

Have I managed to give you enough reasons to read it?

[Sammie]

Ummm, not to put a downer on this, cos I LURVED this book, but is it suitable for a twelve year old? Not sure, personally.

[Llama]

You may have a point there, Sam.

Of course, I read all kinds of inappropriate stuff when I was 12 and look how I turned out....

Hmmm.

You DO have a point there, Sam.

[Rob B]

Overall PSS is a good book. Truly expands the Fantasy genre.

My only complaint, and it is a minor one, is that at times, the book tended to drag for me. Other than that, I liked it alot. Mieville takes everything you thought you knew about Fantastic Fiction, bends it, twists it and makes it his own.

The only thing that reminds me of PSS, and this is very remote, is the film Dark City. Its a stretch, but both gave me the same feel.