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Book Review
Aug. 25th, 2010 10:28 pmThe Scar
by China Mieville
I was blown away by this book, as much as I was by Perdido Street Station. China Mieville may be one of the best writers ever. This novel takes place in the same world as Perdido Street Station, but it is set in vastly different geographical areas and does not share any characters with the earlier book (except for a brief passing mention). The main character, Bellis Coldwine, is a translator on her way to the colonies, in flight from a very dangerous situation in New Crobuzon. Yet she is already looking forward to the time when she can eventually return to her home. However, her ship is captured by pirates, and she finds herself press-ganged into a new life in the secret pirate city of Armada. Armada is a nomadic city made from a huge flotilla of refitted and built up ships, alternately drifting and traveling on the vast sea. Bellis' intense desire to escape Armada and return to New Crobuzon results in her becoming involved in the schemes and conspiracies of several individuals and factions in Armada.
The Scar was one of the most fascinating and engrossing books I have read in a while. Everything in it was so interesting. There were strange creatures, intricate explorations of magic and speculative physics, complex and compelling characters, and a plot full of surprises. Mieville also makes elegant use of scars and scarring as a metaphor and a motif throughout the book. I did occasionally find Bellis a bit too aloof and self-centered at times, but I never got tired of her.
( extremely spoilery discussion of the ending and its meaning )
by China Mieville
I was blown away by this book, as much as I was by Perdido Street Station. China Mieville may be one of the best writers ever. This novel takes place in the same world as Perdido Street Station, but it is set in vastly different geographical areas and does not share any characters with the earlier book (except for a brief passing mention). The main character, Bellis Coldwine, is a translator on her way to the colonies, in flight from a very dangerous situation in New Crobuzon. Yet she is already looking forward to the time when she can eventually return to her home. However, her ship is captured by pirates, and she finds herself press-ganged into a new life in the secret pirate city of Armada. Armada is a nomadic city made from a huge flotilla of refitted and built up ships, alternately drifting and traveling on the vast sea. Bellis' intense desire to escape Armada and return to New Crobuzon results in her becoming involved in the schemes and conspiracies of several individuals and factions in Armada.
The Scar was one of the most fascinating and engrossing books I have read in a while. Everything in it was so interesting. There were strange creatures, intricate explorations of magic and speculative physics, complex and compelling characters, and a plot full of surprises. Mieville also makes elegant use of scars and scarring as a metaphor and a motif throughout the book. I did occasionally find Bellis a bit too aloof and self-centered at times, but I never got tired of her.
( extremely spoilery discussion of the ending and its meaning )
