I'm really ambivalent about this intriguing effort of Mieville. The story line is a trifle slow, but the writing and characterization is richly textured and beautiful.

It's more - a work of art. Mieville engages you, makes you really interact with his novel, challenges you as a reader, and leads you down a dark and uncertain path. Definitely worth the read, but don't be surprised if you can't decide whether you actually like this book or not.

I have to admit I was nervous about approaching this book again. I had started reading it years ago, but didn't get far. This time, I kept going, and I'm glad I did. Perdido Street Station is a intensely descriptive book filled with so much detail about New Crobuzon and its inhabitants. Woven throughout is the story of Isaac and his quest to help Yagharek fly and what that quest ultimately leads to. It'll be a while before the images of this book leave me and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The Scar.