A review by mlkao94697
The Book of Elsewhere by China Miéville, Keanu Reeves

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

This was one of the most confusing books I've ever read, and not in a good, make-you-think kind of way. Many times there were just random words jumbled together and the meaning was absolutely lost. I felt like I no longer knew the English language. For example, if you can translate these sentences, I don't believe you: "Channeling current through that cool hypercharged elixir. Sluicing into meticulously reconstituted veins harvested blood. Pushing the whole into a quantum-catalytic state by the cajoling of incompossible wave-particle interactions, according to the arcana of Unutology." 
The MC is so edgy and is the stereotypical depressed badass - super boring to read. The mystery seemed at least interesting enough at first, but it devolved into a nonsensical discussion of life and death that had zero payoff in the end. I would definitely not read this book again. I've never read any other China Miéville books before, but this was not a good start for me. 
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