Perdido Street Station (China Miéville)

I think what lets this book down for me are the horror sections. I just always find he writes these in quite a over the top way. It reminds me of Clive Barker - and while I'm happy for Clive Barker to do that, because he's Clive Barker and it's part of the fun, Mieville's got so many other things going on it just comes across like he's indulging himself in something. Apart from this minor gripe - good.

I got the feeling that this book was rather more about the setting than the characters, it was full of touches I loved and the city was one of them (although I don't think I'd want to live there). I struggled with the characters a little too much though and found it fairly difficult to really care what happened to most of them.

I just couldn't get into. I found it slow and ponderous. I felt Mieville sacrificed story for character and the intricacies of city life. One of the few books in my life that I've been unable to finish.

The more I think about this book the more I like it. It's an intriguing story which never becomes boring and twists and turns like a twisty turny thing. The characters have real depth and the universe the author has created is intricate and beautifully crafted.

Different and unusual enough to be refreshing, Perdido Street Station has some pretty unconventional protagonists and great ideas. An enjoyable read.