The City and The City by China Mieville

Goodreads

Pages: 312

Publication Date: May 26th, 2009

Genre: SciFi, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Mystery Noir. It's China Mieville, it's genre bending.

Inspector Tyador Borlu of the Extreme Crime Squad investigating the mysterious death of a girl in Beszel. I had a good chuckle out of Extreme Crime Squad name... Burlu leaves the decaying Beszel to go to the neighbouring city Ul Quma. The crossing into the other city is more than just physical, it's also psychic and sociological. With a detective named Qussim Dhatt they investigate the dead girls secrets and the secrets of what lies between the cities.

I really did like this book, I liked how yes the mystery was important but it felt less important than learning about the cities. The mystery kind of propelled the motivations of Borlu to explore the city and it's underside but I was more interested in the cities and what made them the way they are. The two cities occupy the same geographical space but are separated in a psychological and sociological way. Grosstopically. Why are they different, why are they separated to the point you need a visa to go to it? All of this is left to our interpretation. They describe how they both have some of the same architecture (one in each city), similar animals run between both and their relationships between other countries. Peoples careers and the way the city looks is completely different. Burlu made a joke about the weather being worse in one city, but its a joke that can't be treated that way. The setting was very well done, and I felt like I really could picture the cities as they were. Well, I guess my interpretation because Mieville left it deliberately up to us. Mieville almost makes them the setting it's own character in his books, which I appreciate. I know that these cities are in Europe, but it could be in North America just as easily or in some fictional continent that doesn't exist I liked the ideas it explored and how thought provoking the book was. It focused on how far we as people go to protect our social realties and what divides as people. Very timely book that I think everyone should read.

4.5/5

This is the most accessible China Mieville book, it doesn't use as many big words or complicated prose as his others books. Also, it's not as weird as his other books, which means that more people will probably like it. It's also just so thought-provoking and such an enjoyable book that I think everyone should give it a try. Especially if you like spec fiction or mysteries! By saying that it's more accessible than his other books does not make it an easy read, it's still a complex and one you have to take your time with.

Cheers,

Jen