|
|
| Plot Summary of Perdido Street Station |
|---|
"
Del Rey, Feb 2001, 18.00, 720 pp.
ISBN: 0345443020
In New Crobuzon, physicist Isaac Grimnebulin works on the United Theory that would tie alchemy, magic and science into one force. However, a visitor, the wealthy Yagharek, bearing gold interrupts Isaac's work. Yagharek is willing to pay plenty to fly as he used to before having had his wings clipped for committing a crime.
Isaac agrees to help his customer. He considers magic to bind new wings or a mechanical device to provide the lofty endeavor. He turns to botany to study animals that can fly. However, one of his creatures, a giant caterpillar escapes, metamorphoses, and terrorizes the city. The townsfolk of New Crobuzon quite rightfully want to change Isaac into a fig newton. If he wants to return to his beloved theoretical work, Isaac must deal with the crisis he managed to create.
PERDIDO STREET STATION is quite an astonishing fantasy tale that is must reading for genre fans. The story line is incredibly creative, satirical, and witty though some key characters are overwhelmed by the sheer scope of the plot. The underlying science is written intelligently yet never slows down an action-packed, exciting plot. Fans of epic fantasy will reread this classy tale many times over in the years to come.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar
|
"This novel was a feast of the imagination! Mieville transports us to the city of New Corbuzon vast city of humans,khepri-part human part insect, and other nonhuman races.Isaac Dan der Grimnebulin, a brilliant undisciplined scientist is visited by flightless bird man who pleads with him to help him regain the ability to flight.Lin,Isaac's Khepri artist lover is employed by a hideous gangster.But poor Isaac has more pressing problems, one of his experiments, a strange moth escapes from capitivity.This creature feeds upon dreams and consciouness of other beings.This one moth becomes four and is a a menace so terrifying that even the agents of hell are fearful of it! Mieville has extraordinary skills in world-building department and he has uncanny knack of conjures up images from our wildest dreams and darkest nightmares.Like slath-moths who prey upon minds, criminals who are transformed into horrifying remakes.City Officials who traffic with evil agents and my candidate for the most original character of the year,An interdimensional giant alien spider called The Weaver.I might be wrong in saying this early but this novel is one to beat for fantasy novel of the year!So if you are tired of elves, dwarves and sword of this and Wheel of that;then open up this book and prepared to be transported to a place you will live in your imagination for alltime! "
Rodney Powell, Resident Scholar
|
"A scientist and his companions hunt down a deadly creature they unwittingly released into the techno-medieval city New Crobuzon, pursued by both the ruling Militia and drug cartel."
Artemis, Resident Scholar
|
"A scientist in the city of New Cobuzon is contacted by a garuda, whose wings were cut off and who wishes him to invent a way for him to fly again. In the process of research Isaac receives a grub who grows into a monster, leaves, and frees others of his kind. The five monsters become the terror of the city terrorizing all the races and drinking their dreams. Isaac and his friends now try to kill the beasts."
Lani, Resident Scholar
|
"A middle-aged scientist in the sci-fi/fantasy city of New Corbuzon is approached by a mythological bird-man to construct a way for him to regain his lost powers of flight. This inquiry sets of serious of events that involves the accidental release of a terrifying dream-eating monster, and the equally accidental kidnapping of the scientist's bug-headed girlfriend by murderous drug lords."
Sunday Williams, Resident Scholar
|
|
| Review Analysis of Perdido Street Station |
|---|
|
Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
|
|
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 50%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 10%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%
Tone of book
- scarey (primal ax-wielding fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- part earth & part fantasy world
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story?
Yes
Horror plotlets
- bad dreams
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- scientist
Age:
- 20's-30's
Eccentric:
Yes
- eccentric
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- An "It".
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- mind control
- super strength
- can fly
- is very quick
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
- a substantial amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- bulging muscles
Setting
Terrain
- Domed/Underground City
Earth setting:
- 20th century
- general past
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- moderately detailed references to deaths
scientific jargon? (SF only)
- a moderate amount of scientific explanation
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- weird alien sex
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
|
|
|
Click here for more information about this book
Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
Use our site!
17 FREE Sci-Fi Ebooks!
FREE "How to be happy" Ebook!
Funny Videos
Feedback
Most recent discussions:
General Book Talk
Book writing discussion
Off-topic message board
Cassie Edwards
4:22:56 PM
Diane Mott Davidson
1:26:42 PM
Robert Segarra
10:42:31 AM
Lynne Ewing
12:54:48 AM
Deric Longden
3:20:15 PM
Colin Forbes
6:05:12 AM
Sue Grafton
5:50:04 PM
Jean M. Auel
12:32:16 PM
Livia Bitton-Jackson
11:27:55 PM
Mildred D. Taylor
12:30:06 AM
Dave Pelzer
1:03:36 AM
Mary Downing Hahn
8:19:22 PM
Anonymous
5:32:56 PM
Peter Abrahams
12:30:02 PM
Aline Countess of Romanones
9:56:28 PM
Suzanne Weyn
7:00:09 PM
Kim Rich
3:01:03 AM
Graham Greene
2:05:45 AM
Bo Caldwell
8:30:53 PM
Diana Marcellas
2:58:23 PM
Silicon Valley
More message boards
|
