Fantasy / Jan '11 Reading: The City and The City by Mieville

I have to say that I was a bit disappointed to discover that there really is no Orciny. I suppose like Mahala and Yolanda there is that part of me that wanted to believe there could be this hidden unknown place existing between the two cities. But I have to say I never really saw the end coming and I did think it was interesting the way in which Mieville did portray a very realistic view of what the circumstances and politics might have been if in fact there were such a situation as with Ul Qoma and Beszel and how the whole thing was a sham by a cooperation.

I also thought it was interesting seeing the demystification of Breach as throughout the book they are portrayed as this untouchable force that is always watching, always looming in the background, with all this mystery around it, and this ominous presence. It was almost sad in a way than to see how in truth in the greater picture, outside of the two cities it really is this insignificant thing. Though after Buric's speech and all his cocky arrogance, it did make you really wish that something would have happened to his helicopter as he was taking off. I really wanted to see it get zapped out of the sky or just vanish or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

I think he's taken the idea of seeing but ignoring - established in the verb to unsee - and applied it to two politcal systems that are connected. We do ths on a minor scale such as igoring a robbery, or on a larger scale perhaps ignoring societal injustices like political persecution.

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Am I the only one to (un)see a connection between Mieville's The City and The City and Saramago's Blindness (and in my connection TCATC is the better book, hands down)?

I'm too new to be allowed to vote on the poll. I would say China Mieville ranks way up on my great writers list, but this one I failed to get interested in... really lost me. Almost a different man from the writer that wrote the dense, fascinating New Crobuzon series. So, immensely disappointed for it's mundane setting among other things.