THE CITY AND THE CITY
by China Tom Miéville | Publication: May 26, 2009Del Rey | Genre: Weird Fiction, Mystery
Rating: ★★★★★
"This book completely unhinged my expectations
in the best way possible."
____________________________________________________________________
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, THE SEATTLE TIMES, AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY.
When a murdered woman is found in the city of Beszel, somewhere at the edge of Europe, it looks to be a routine case for Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Extreme Crime Squad. To investigate, Borlú must travel from the decaying Beszel to its equal, rival, and intimate neighbor, the vibrant city of Ul Qoma. But this is a border crossing like no other, a journey as psychic as it is physical, a seeing of the unseen. With Ul Qoman detective Qussim Dhatt, Borlú is enmeshed in a sordid underworld of nationalists intent on destroying their neighboring city, and unificationists who dream of dissolving the two into one. As the detectives uncover the dead woman’s secrets, they begin to suspect a truth that could cost them more than their lives. What stands against them are murderous powers in Beszel and in Ul Qoma: and, most terrifying of all, that which lies between these two cities.
When a murdered woman is found in the city of Beszel, somewhere at the edge of Europe, it looks to be a routine case for Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Extreme Crime Squad. To investigate, Borlú must travel from the decaying Beszel to its equal, rival, and intimate neighbor, the vibrant city of Ul Qoma. But this is a border crossing like no other, a journey as psychic as it is physical, a seeing of the unseen. With Ul Qoman detective Qussim Dhatt, Borlú is enmeshed in a sordid underworld of nationalists intent on destroying their neighboring city, and unificationists who dream of dissolving the two into one. As the detectives uncover the dead woman’s secrets, they begin to suspect a truth that could cost them more than their lives. What stands against them are murderous powers in Beszel and in Ul Qoma: and, most terrifying of all, that which lies between these two cities.
____________________________________________________________________
To Breach or Not To Breach
As an absolute sucker for a great mystery,, this book totally unscrewed a couple of my hinges—and fangirling over China Miéville didn't help screw them back on! Leave it to Miéville to make the absurd feel completely normal, sending you reeling with dizzying pleasure.
The City & the City follows two distinct Eastern European cities, Besźel and Ul Qoma, which occupy the exact same physical space in a surreal, overlapping geography. For centuries, residents have been strictly trained from birth to "unsee," "unhear," and ignore everything from the neighboring city. Any breach of this protocol summons the shadowy, feared authority known simply as Breach.
Avoiding Breach becomes nearly impossible, however, when a young woman is brutally murdered and dumped in a Besźel slum. Inspector Tyador Borlú—a morally complex detective—takes the case, using every trick in the book to seek justice despite political corruption and bureaucratic hurdles. Further complicating the investigation is Orciny, a mythical third city whispered to exist in the spaces between Besźel and Ul Qoma. Solving the murder means unraveling the mystery of Orciny—and coming face-to-face with Breach itself.
"My task is changed: not to uphold the law, or another law,
but to maintain the skin that keeps law in place.
Two laws in two places, in fact."
Miéville's work is unconventional, unpredictable, and brilliantly creative. I have pure admiration for his genius!
As an absolute sucker for a great mystery,, this book totally unscrewed a couple of my hinges—and fangirling over China Miéville didn't help screw them back on! Leave it to Miéville to make the absurd feel completely normal, sending you reeling with dizzying pleasure.
The City & the City follows two distinct Eastern European cities, Besźel and Ul Qoma, which occupy the exact same physical space in a surreal, overlapping geography. For centuries, residents have been strictly trained from birth to "unsee," "unhear," and ignore everything from the neighboring city. Any breach of this protocol summons the shadowy, feared authority known simply as Breach.
Avoiding Breach becomes nearly impossible, however, when a young woman is brutally murdered and dumped in a Besźel slum. Inspector Tyador Borlú—a morally complex detective—takes the case, using every trick in the book to seek justice despite political corruption and bureaucratic hurdles. Further complicating the investigation is Orciny, a mythical third city whispered to exist in the spaces between Besźel and Ul Qoma. Solving the murder means unraveling the mystery of Orciny—and coming face-to-face with Breach itself.
but to maintain the skin that keeps law in place.
Two laws in two places, in fact."
Miéville's work is unconventional, unpredictable, and brilliantly creative. I have pure admiration for his genius!
TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TUMBLR | BLOGLOVIN | GOODREADS
About the Author:
China Miéville is a New York Times bestselling author of fiction and nonfiction. His novels include The City & The City, Embassytown, and Perdido Street Station. A recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Fiction, he has won the World Fantasy, the Hugo, and the Arthur C. Clarke Awards, among others. His nonfiction includes a study of international law and a history of the Russian Revolution.
Posts
I will definitely read more of China's books after The City & The City. Oh how I loved that book! :)
ReplyDeletePeter recommended the Bas-Lag books. I'll try those next. :)
DeleteLOL at "To Breach or Not To Breach". I will definitely remember this book for its being so unconventionally good. :)
ReplyDeleteThere was a certain scene in the book that begged this to be answered. I am happy with the protagonist choice. :)
DeleteIt is a fun novel. 3-stars is "I like it." :D
ReplyDeleteGlad that you liked it, really. I do understand that this isn't your genre generally. ♥
Delete"This book totally unscrewed a couple of hinges, and fangirling for the author didn't really help screw them back. "
ReplyDeleteIs it #FangirlFriday today? Haha. I still have a hangover from this book. And to hell with Breach, I am not going to unsee those photos above! :D
Any day is a good day to fangirl for CM, I guess. *landi ko lang* LOL
DeleteFangirls should buddy read at least one of his books. What do you think? :)
Fangirls! Let us buddy read Perdido Street Station! Maybe before the year ends? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, let's do that while waiting for the 6th ASOIaF! I'm sure the other wenches will be very interested too. ♥
Delete