yvarg's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I could never really get into the characters and the entire concept of this book being wrapped up in the meaning of language made for a very tedious read.
readthan's review against another edition
3.0
Really interesting, but for there was a major tone change halfway through the book. The focus went from space exploration to local politics, and I preferred the former.
smalefowles's review against another edition
5.0
This was fantastic, in every sense.
Recently an acquaintance posted this fascinating essay on her experience of reading Embassytown and its relation to her own personal identity journey. I started reading it, then realized that I had never read the actual book, despite my Miéville phase in early grad school. Obviously it was time to rectify the situation.
I loved it. It has everything I like in ambitious science fiction. It actually reminded me of my own ambitious and unfinished and probably terrible nanowrimo I wrote years ago. But obviously much better and more realized and wonderful.
The worldbuilding is intricate, the protagonist is perfect and flawed, and there are some words I haven't seen since the GRE (in addition to all the madeup words, of course.)
Thought-provoking and wonderful. (Thanks Marley!)
Recently an acquaintance posted this fascinating essay on her experience of reading Embassytown and its relation to her own personal identity journey. I started reading it, then realized that I had never read the actual book, despite my Miéville phase in early grad school. Obviously it was time to rectify the situation.
I loved it. It has everything I like in ambitious science fiction. It actually reminded me of my own ambitious and unfinished and probably terrible nanowrimo I wrote years ago. But obviously much better and more realized and wonderful.
The worldbuilding is intricate, the protagonist is perfect and flawed, and there are some words I haven't seen since the GRE (in addition to all the madeup words, of course.)
Thought-provoking and wonderful. (Thanks Marley!)
jharmanevans's review against another edition
4.5
not flawless but the way this sticks the landing... holy shit
juli_a_n_a's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure I really got it but I think it was good...?
paige_lehman's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
grid's review against another edition
4.0
Essentially, I think China Mieville does a great job at making things seem alien. This novel, like many of his that I've read, mostly takes place in an environment (far future planet/universe) that you only gradually come to understand. The novel is told from the main character's perspective. One thing I really liked was that she (the main character) had a pretty laissez faire attitude. She even had a word for it, she called it floaking. Drifting through life and doing enough to be useful, but avoiding responsibility and hard work as much as possible.
I liked this book very much.
I liked this book very much.
bf777's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5