That's his first novel, so teething troubles would be expected. I've never read it myself, and have not had it particularly recommended either.

I'd say that with Mieville his short story collection, LOOKING FOR JAKE, is a good place to start showing his greater range of styles. PERDIDO STREET STATION is a must for its steampunk, non-standard worldbuilding. THE CITY AND THE CITY may also work as it is much more 'restrained' than his other books, lacking the sometimes random-seeming craziness that erupts every now and then. UN LUN DUN is his easiest-to-read book in which he relaxes on the sometimes needlessly overwrought prose (a problem in the opening of KRAKEN, although it settles down later).