Sometimes he writes really good, but terrifying (I am scared by the Moomin...) books, and then there is King Rat which really wasn't good at all. It surprised me, and I find I am reluctant to pick up any more of his books.
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).
KRAKEN by China Mieville
- 28/04/2010 08:06:27 PM
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I never know whether to read Mieville
- 28/04/2010 08:09:27 PM
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Have you only read KING RAT?
- 28/04/2010 09:31:05 PM
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Re: the above: I can lend you Looking for Jake and Perdido Street Station. *NM*
- 29/04/2010 12:09:59 AM
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So, not too long before the publishers RELEASE THE KRAKEN *NM*
- 28/04/2010 08:24:07 PM
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*NM*
So...
- 29/04/2010 03:44:19 PM
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Un Lun Dun was fun. *NM*
- 29/04/2010 11:42:16 PM
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