China Mieville on D&D

[rogueattorney]

I'd hate to encourage any [gulp] capitalistic tendencies.

This is coming from a Republican Precinct Committeeman: His politics don't get in the way of enjoying his books. I also take the leftist political views of anyone whose books are published by a Fortune 500 company (Del Rey is owned by Ballantine, which is owned by Random House, which is owned by Bartlesman, which is one of those big, greedy, Multi-nationals that lefties like to go on about) with a grain of salt... It's kind of like when Rage Agaist the Machine were singing about revolution while making records with Sony. Way to infiltrate the system, guys. Don't forget to curse 'the man' when you cash your paychecks. :\

If any of this is over line, mods, I will gladly edit. Thanks.

Anyway, I think China Mieville is a really great author.

R.A.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I was very disappointed with Perdido Street Station. Perhaps I had overly high expectations from listening to some of the discussions here. I found it terribly undisciplined and self-important. Some great prose, to be sure. But it seemed that the author never had an idea he didn't like, and felt obliged to cram them all into one book, regardless of how poorly the ideas meshed. He would drop something that was cool, then promptly disregard the implications, and hare off after the next cool image. Imagine watching the raw footage from Apocalypse Now -- you could see there was a good book yearning to breathe free, but it just got buried because there was no focus. Appalingly bad resolution at the end, too.

I keep meaning to pick up Iron Council to give him another chance, but now I'm not so sure.

 

[Ryltar]

So, uh, for someone completely unaware, who's China Mieville?

He is an accomplished SF/Fantasy writer. You can check out some of his stuff here. He is the author of what is known as the Bas-Lag trilogy: Perdido Street Station, The Scar and Iron Council. Three great books, and I can only concur with the esteemed Mr. Mona when I say that he's probably my favorite author in that literary field. Here's a hint: If you liked Planescape, you're gonna love Bas-Lag. If you don't like weird scifi/fantasy crossovers, this isn't for you.

Oh, and I honestly wonder how real-world politics can play a role in anyone reading a fiction novel or not ... but let's not go there, forum rules and all.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Oh, and I honestly wonder how real-world politics can play a role in anyone reading a fiction novel or not ... but let's not go there, forum rules and all.

I don't think it would cross the forum rules to say that, based on the article, Mieville inserts his politics into his writing. I don't think he could have said it more clearly.

So to walk away from that makes just as much sense as, say, walking away from Asimov if you read an intereview where he goes on about Robots and you simply have no interest in his take on Robots.

So when I read an exerpt like this:

"Weather Wrightby, for all that he’s a bastard, and a murderer, and a capitalist, and an exploiter, he’s also..."

I just assume he's probably not going to have much to say that would interest me, and certainly nothing so compelling to say to me that I'd put one cent in his pocket.

 

[CarlZog]

That is great, but it really hurt my head the first time I read it because I thought it said "Jude Law is a golemist."

And I thought, is that the new trendy thing in Hollywood?

LMAO!

OK, NOW I'd start watching all those stupid celebrity interview shows my wife loves!

Coming up next on Inside Edition, we're live from the red carpet with out hosts, Susie and Biff...

Susie: Strolling up now is 'Aviator' heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio, accompanied by his latest creation. And following close behind is celebrity heiress and badgirl, Paris Hilton.

Biff: Whoops! It appears Leo's golem has turned and attacked Ms. Hilton.

Susie: Oh, now that's an embarrassing shame. I know Leo's worked very hard on this particular creature.

Biff: Oh, this is bad for Leo. Paris is simply being torn limb from limb! Gosh, you can hear her bones snapping all the way up here in the booth, can't you?

Susie: You sure can, Biff. And to make matters worse, the blood is just ruining the effect of that satin peach strapless she wore tonight.

Biff: Well, at least the carpet's already red. Say, is that Cher's new golem stepping out the limo now?



z

 

[Ryltar]

Well, Wulf, my point of view is somewhat different on this subject. For me, it all sums up to:

"As long as those facts" (that are worked into the book, like Wrightby actually BEING a capitalist and an exploiter in the worst sense of the word) "are worked into the fantasy world the author created in a way that makes sense both historically and culturally, I just take them as what they are - setting fluff, character descriptions - and not a not-so-secret political message by the author trying to subvert his readers."

Or something along these lines. There is a fundamental difference, for me, in comparing just "someone's take on" a subject (like in a newspaper article, or a report) or a fictional character description, which just serves to give the reader a feel for that particular person. You as a reader are free to take that description with a grain of salt, but you shouldn't discard both author and book (and rob yourself of a great reading experience in the process) just because you dislike the choice of words and what they imply in combination with the political beliefs of a (again: *fantasy*) author.

Just my two cents, no offense intended .

 

[Mark]

I have a big ol' golem
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
My golem shall go slay

Chorus:
Oh golem golem golem
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
My golem shall go slay

China Mieville is my favorite living author*.

PS: Jack Vance technically beats him out, but his output has slowed to a crawl due to health issues.

How soon we "fire and forget"...

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I have a big ol' golem
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
My golem shall go slay

Chorus:
Oh golem golem golem
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
My golem shall go slay

So, Mark, is the medication wearing off or kicking in?


Sci-Fi/Fantasy is a great way to literalize metaphors. Nice to see that Mieville gets that.

 

[Mark]

So, Mark, is the medication wearing off or kicking in?

If only it were that easy...

 

[Krieg]

Who in their right mind uses "perspicacious" in regular conversation?