The Last Days of New Paris

I was "meh" on this until the end when it all came together for me. Not my favorite [a:China Miéville|33918|China Miéville|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1243988363p2/33918.jpg] but still worth it.

This was quite an interesting ride. I was not too familiar with Surrealist art, but gained a deeper appreciation of it thanks to this novella. I also appreciated its length since a much longer novel would have been exhausting with all the craziness that takes place. The characters were decent, but the main selling point was New Paris and the unique setting were art and devils roam the streets alongside Nazis and resistance fighters. While not my favorite Mieville story, this is in line with the weird fiction he is known for.

For a full review, check out my blog: strakul.blogspot.com/2020/08/book-review-last-days-of-new-paris-by.html

I wanted to look at the Surrealist art that Miéville refers to before 'finishing' this book.

I came across the excellently curated Graphic Annotations of China Miéville’s The Last Days of New Paris and a useful review Who’s up for some Surrealist warfare? The Last Days of New Paris, by China Miéville.

That was quite a hard read, and it didn't particularly resonate with me. I think that if I'd had a background in art history I'd appreciate it some more. As it was, I think that maybe the depth of the author's imagination of the view was too broad to be carried into his writing.

Note that the afterward isn't so much fourth wall breaking, as fourth wall rebuilding.

Great book. Lots of layers of imagery and plenty weird. I suspect I'll need to read it again to get some of what the author is trying to convey.

Astonishing

I've no idea how anyone could come up with a story and world this wonderful, but of course Miéville did. Looks like it might be my best read of 2016.