[polishgenius]

Yeah, but you can say that about any story where the characters don't all die. Apart from LotR because he tells you in the appendices.

Spoiler

The story was about the escape and containment of the slakemoths, and about Yagharek and his quest for wings, and Lin and her art, and they all ended.

I can see why the ending would dissatisfy some in that way because you know very definitely that there's another tale to be told which most books don't do, but that's not the same as saying that the story didn't end, because that particular one did.

[Astra]

In my perception the ending of PSS is unsatisfying and unfinished.
If I felt the same towards other books (at least 2-3 more), then maybe I would question my logic and look for a fault in it instead of looking for a fault in PSS, however, I do not have the same problem with other books.

So, we agree to disagree

[polishgenius]

I dig ya...

I realise I've been sounding a bit overbearing in this topic. I'm honestly not trying to persuade you you're wrong... >_>

So yah, agree to disagree.

[caladanbrood]

To be honest, my problem with the ending of the book was that it was all so far out of character they they all reaced to the big revelation.

[acesn8s]

For those who have read them, how does King Rat compare to PSS? Is it worth giving CM another shot by picking PSS if I didn't like King Rat?

[amphibian]

acesn8s;278747 said:

For those who have read them, how does King Rat compare to PSS?

The Scar is Mieville's best work, but Perdido Street Station is better than King Rat (and in my opinion, Iron Council too).

Quote

Is it worth giving CM another shot by picking PSS if I didn't like King Rat?

Do you need me to hold your hand as you walk into your local bookstore or library too?

[caladanbrood]

He wrote King Rat much earlier than PSS, and it was, like Un Lun Dun, aimed at a more YA audience. It's definitely worth giving PSS (Or The Scar, which is a better book) a try:)

[Varunwe]

I loved PSS, but didn't like The Scar that much. This is mainly because I liked the protagonists of PSS, but didn't like the protagonist of The Scar. She was just too cold.

The ending of PSS was great. Sure you don't know the Further Adventures of Isaac and co, but that wasn't needed. The story of Yagarek trying to get back his wings was over. IMHO, the ending was sad yet satisfying.

[acesn8s]

amphibian;278763 said:

The Scar is Mieville's best work, but Perdido Street Station is better than King Rat (and in my opinion, Iron Council too).


Do you need me to hold your hand as you walk into your local bookstore or library too?

No thanks, I'm happily married. Mabe you should try some of the single members here?

Anyways, thanks to both you and Caladanbrood for your takes on King Rat and CM other works. I'll have to take a look at either The Scar of PSS then next time I'm looking for something new.

[amphibian]

acesn8s;278880 said:

No thanks, I'm happily married. Mabe you should try some of the single members here?

Otay. Warm, fuzzy, Mieville-liking, handholding frog here; any takers?

(I didn't intend for my joke to sound so mean-spirited, acesn8s.)

[stone monkey]

To be honest, I've always thought The Scar to be the weakest of the three novels, it has some good points and is very far from being a bad book but it feels a bit too safe and conventional in structure and plot in comparison with the others. But, then again, my favourite of the three is Iron Council which most people around here seem to hate (well not "hate" but certainly dislike); so what do I know?

[acesn8s]

amphibian;278916 said:

Otay. Warm, fuzzy, Mieville-liking, handholding frog here; any takers?

(I didn't intend for my joke to sound so mean-spirited, acesn8s.)

:cool:

[Abyss]

I place THE SCAR as one of my favourite books ever. Amazing setting, real yet readable characters, great story. Totally enjoyed it.

It does share in the Mieville trait of endings that don't wrap everything up into a neat little bundle of happily ever after. Similar to PSS and IRON COUNCIL, the main storyline winds up but the world marches on. I have no problem with that, but i can see how it leaves anyone who prefers a tidy ending unsatisfied.

The LOOKING FOR JAKE short story collection is great fun. There are some genuinely creepy and outright cool pieces in there, plus another Bas-Lag story that twists a few points from PSS on their ear.

I like Mieville. I like his imagination, i like his flawed characters, i like his style of writing. It's certainly not for everyone, but he's on my pre-order hardcover list.

- Abyss, wants to learn whispersmithing...

[RodeoRanch]

I liked PSS. I hated The Scar. Haven't read Iron Council yet.

[Aptorian]

Don't read Iron Council, it's made out of fail... and horse piss (it's what keeps the pages of shit together)

[caladanbrood]

I liked Iron Council, though not as much as the other two. All of Mieville's books seem to suffer from bad endings though. In PSS it's all out of character, in The Scar it's just... bizarre and in Iron Council it's entirely contradictary.

That said, I still enjoyed all three:)

[Aztiel]

Well, I guess I will actually read more than the first two chapters of is then. Especially because some people compared it to Neal Stephenson, who I like a lot. But right now I am reading some of the Dresden Files books, which are a lot of fun when I'm so busy in school.

[Kage-za]

Aztiel;284048 said:

Well, I guess I will actually read more than the first two chapters of is then.

I loved all 3 books (except the first section of the Iron Council), but I think the high point of it all was the beginning of PSS. From the prologue onward, the language and the weirdness of the world totally had me. The actual story was interesting, but it's the ideas that really engrossed me (as others have said).

If you haven't been swept away already, I should warn you that you might not be.

That being said, I can't wait to go back to Bas-Lag whenever he decides he's ready.