Perdido Street Station

By: China Mieville

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 24 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award

The metropolis of New Crobuzon sprawls at the center of the world. Humans and mutants and arcane races brood in the gloom beneath its chimneys, where the river is sluggish with unnatural effluent and foundries pound into the night. For a thousand years, the Parliament and its brutal militias have ruled over a vast economy of workers and artists, spies and soldiers, magicians, crooks, and junkies.

Now a stranger has arrived, with a pocketful of gold and an impossible demand. And something unthinkable is released.

The city is gripped by an alien terror. The fate of millions lies with a clutch of renegades. A reckoning is due at the city’s heart, in the vast edifice of brick and wood and steel under the vaults of Perdido Street Station.

It is too late to escape.

©2003 China Mieville (P)2009 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the August Derleth Award

"Primal awe and erudite references have always mingled in Miéville’s work—along with a healthy dose of pulp playfulness.”—The New Yorker

“Flawlessly plotted and relentlessly, stunningly inventive: a conceptual breakthrough of the highest order.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Perdido Street Station is brimming with enchantment. Written in intense, evocative prose, set in Dickensian New Crobuzon, peopled with characters of Boschian demeanor and diversity . . . the book flourishes and shuffles the conventions of science fiction, fantasy, and horror.”—Tordotcom

Well, what the gods */!@ was that

I have to be honest and say that while this was a marvelous and amazing book, it was also dark deeply depressing and difficult to get through. I suppose it's the mark of a real artist when they have created something that I can love and hate at the same time.

Affecting and Interesting

Excellent world building and memorable characters. Not for the faint of heart but worth the journey

Mieville's Finest

Any additional comments?

A lot of folks might have some trouble buying into to Mieville's worlds but for my money he's the best in the business at odd, steam-punk sci-fi / fantasy (honestly not sure how you categorize it). Of his novels this seems to flow most smoothly - the characters are rich and interesting. The city is alive and vibrant. All nicely complimented by John Lee's fantastic narration (the guy's a master).

Mixed feelings

Great writing and great ideas. I’m not so keen on the inclusion of the details of sex trafficking in sexual abuse.

One of my favorite books

Great elements of horror and fantasy - I'm not sure that China intended this to read like a horror book, but to me it does.

This book word very good story good

If you read this book you will think it is good and the story will be wild and impressive to you. many times you will have thoughts like wow how did he come up with that word or wow that's really amazing and this is good story

Amazing!

This was my first time reading China Mieville, and I was blown away by the depth and scope of the world he created for this novel. Everything feels so fully fleshed out, from the setting to the races to the political conflicts and characterization. I have rarely read sci-fi or fantasy that feels as well-written. Mieville’s style feels plucked from an earlier time, in the best way possible. Highly recommend.

disappointing conclusion

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Create an ending worthy of the story.

Which character – as performed by John Lee – was your favorite?

All

Did Perdido Street Station inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

Good story and character development , ending needs to be less abrupt.

Not Sure What I Just Read

I'm not sure what I just read, but I'm looking forward to reading a lot more titles from China Mieville. "Perdido Street Station" is just brilliant. It's like you are reading some kind of horror, sci fi, monsters, and fantasy world with cyberpunks. I could not get enough with the flying moths and the re-mades.

This book has it all and even dirty sex with whores. The moth creatures are the best part. I never really get freak out on what I listen to but those creatures are just terrifying, but yet I kept listening.

I'm a fan of Neal Stephenson, but I have to read more from China Mieville because it seems like they are brothers from different mothers. Very similar in their writing styles.

it won so many awards and nominations for a reason

the writing is several grades higher quality than most speculative fiction, on par with mcewan, martin amis, and the like. more imagination in one book than the entirety catalog of some publishers.