tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post1543928147499046342..comments2024-03-26T17:54:54.592+01:00Comments on Speculiction...: Review of This Census-Taker by China MievilleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post-2049559915608306702016-03-24T13:46:45.691+01:002016-03-24T13:46:45.691+01:00I haven't read any mainstream reviews, but it&...I haven't read any mainstream reviews, but it's nice to hear my assumptions ring true ;). I read only the responses from The Guardian and Huffington Post, both of which were positive...<br /><br />I'm on the fence whether or not Mieville has been exploring new dimensions throughout his career, hence my comment that I think <i>Three Moments</i> and <i>Census-Taker</i> represent a new direction for him. By Mieville's own admission (granted a few years ago, now), he loves writing "killer monster stories". The Bas-Lag novels certainly have a novel aesthetic, but at heart they tell relatively - emphasis on 'relatively' - standard tales involving said monsters. <i>Perdido</i> is a tale of scary soul-suckers trying to take over a city. <i>Iron Council</i>, with its inchmen and golems, is another monster story, even with its revolutionary overtones. <i>The Scar</i>, well, I don't know. That one does seem unique on all fronts. :) Later novels such as <i>The City & the City</i>, while having the beautiful idea of cross-hatching, runs on the engine of detective noir. <i>Embassytown</i> wholly utilizes a neat linguistic conception, but otherwise remains standard sf . And <i>Kraken</i>, what more to say except paranormal monster/occult tale? :) For 100% sure Mieville has had brilliant, original ideas, but in <i>Three Moments</i> and <i>Census-Taker</i> it seems clear he's moved away from applying his originality to not only monsters or other plot devices, but even standard modes of storytelling. I suspect <i>New Paris</i> will be the full confirmation, but have to wait and see. Like you, I'm greatly looking forward to it. <br /><br />Hope you enjoy <i>This Census-Taker</i>.Jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07796098208589965362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7670543499274741427.post-49532255876123856362016-03-24T03:49:04.507+01:002016-03-24T03:49:04.507+01:00Good to hear, Jesse -- I have been intrigued by th...Good to hear, Jesse -- I have been intrigued by this novella and am quite eager to read it. Most of the reviews I've seen thus far have been negative, mixed at best; indeed, a lot of mainstream fans bouncing off of it. <i>New Paris</i> intrigues me enough that I preordered it, and I agree, it will be interesting to see if it confirms a new direction... though it's not like Mieville has ever settled for writing a safe/comfortable genre novel, he's been exploring new dimensions in genre for most of his career.admiral.ironbombshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02209722437784430986noreply@blogger.com