I've started calling these books "Second Contact" stories, stories wherein first contact has occurred long since but the humans and aliens are still groping in the dark towards some sort of rudimentary understanding of each other. And while C.J. Cherryh is queen of that subgenre -- and the character of Bren has to be a nod to Cherryh's long-running Foreigner sequence -- Miéville has here contributed a downright exciting take on it.
Ooooh, I like this! :) That reminds me, I have read some Cherryh: I finished Cyteen and really admired it, am halfway through Downbelow Station (I was reading that sucker at the wrong time, but do plan on finishing), and have Regenesis waiting on my shelf. :)
I suppose I'm technically halfway through Downbelow Station too. . . but as the last time I picked it up was at least six years ago, it's probably more accurate to say I gave up on it. I do plan to try it again someday though!
Haven't read Cyteen either; I think you've attempted Cherryh's hardest works! The Foreigner sequence is much more accessible. . . but my favorite is The Faded Sun trilogy.
Still and all, Cherryh's aliens are always awesome and thought-provoking. :D
The first Cherryh I read was Merchanter's Luck, which I really didn't care for on a host of levels even though I appreciated the world-building. Cyteen was next (I think I talk about why I felt compelled to read that book in my reviews), and then Downbelow Station. I think I started and put it aside in 2009? So not as long as you, and I do feel comfortable picking it up where I left off. I just need to be in the right mood to pick it up!
I read about 50 pages of "Downbelow Station" when if first came out and just couldn't continue with it. I've read most of her other books in the Union/Alliance'verse. My favorite Cherryh novels are "Cuckoo's egg", the Chanur series, the Foreigner series, the Finisterre series and yes "Merchanter's Luck".
Didn't quite love it as what grabs me are fascinating characters and there really wasn't much to Avice IMO. Also I couldn't help wondering if Miéville hadn't watched the ST:TNG ep "Darmok" and tried to work out how such a culture would work and took it from there. The esoteric language reminded me of Spinrad's "The Void Captain's Tale" with a different version of future sprach.
Do you know if Miéville has used this whole immer'verse-thing in other novels?
Oh, it totally had to be inspired by the Darmok episode. I'm surprised I haven't seen anybody else do it sooner. . .
Haven't read any Spinrad; would you recommend starting with that one?
I believe this is Mieville's first SF novel, so I'm pretty sure he's never used the immer before. Wouldn't mind seeing more set in this universe. . . I got the sense that Bremen was just one of many little fiefdoms in the Out.
Wouldn't mind seeing more set in this universe. . . I got the sense that Bremen was just one of many little fiefdoms in the Out. Also who/what set up those beacons?
In SF circles he's most famous for "The Iron Dream" which I haven't read. I actually haven't read much Spinrad beside "TVCT", "Child of Fortune" (set in the same verse as TVCT) and his first novel "The Solarians" which I recall liking but it was so long ago that I can barely recall it. My favorite Spinrad is a collection of his short stories titled "The Last Hurrah of the Golden Horde". He also wrote the ST:TOS ep "The Doomsday Machine".
I would love to know more about the beacons. But I suspect that that's just one of those cool mysteries that Mieville never has any intention of using again. . .
I've been meaning to read more short stories. Perhaps I'll see if my library has that collection at some point. . .
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Ooooh, I like this! :) That reminds me, I have read some Cherryh: I finished Cyteen and really admired it, am halfway through Downbelow Station (I was reading that sucker at the wrong time, but do plan on finishing), and have Regenesis waiting on my shelf. :)
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Haven't read Cyteen either; I think you've attempted Cherryh's hardest works! The Foreigner sequence is much more accessible. . . but my favorite is The Faded Sun trilogy.
Still and all, Cherryh's aliens are always awesome and thought-provoking. :D
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Shakatany
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Do you know if Miéville has used this whole immer'verse-thing in other novels?
Shakatany
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Haven't read any Spinrad; would you recommend starting with that one?
I believe this is Mieville's first SF novel, so I'm pretty sure he's never used the immer before. Wouldn't mind seeing more set in this universe. . . I got the sense that Bremen was just one of many little fiefdoms in the Out.
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In SF circles he's most famous for "The Iron Dream" which I haven't read. I actually haven't read much Spinrad beside "TVCT", "Child of Fortune" (set in the same verse as TVCT) and his first novel "The Solarians" which I recall liking but it was so long ago that I can barely recall it. My favorite Spinrad is a collection of his short stories titled "The Last Hurrah of the Golden Horde". He also wrote the ST:TOS ep "The Doomsday Machine".
Shakatany
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I've been meaning to read more short stories. Perhaps I'll see if my library has that collection at some point. . .
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