written by China Miéville
published by Del Rey
ISBN-10: 0345497511
ISBN-13: 978-0345497512
reviewed by Adam Armstrong
7.7.09
A city is split by two different governments that in turn make two
cities, Beszel and Ul Qoma. Beszel is old and worn
down; Ul Qoma is new and
flashy. The cities overlap in many spots, the same roads are used, buildings
sit next to one another in two separate countries, and no one seems to notice.
There is a strict law however that prevents citizens from one city to see the
other city. If you are foolish enough to look you have breached and committing “Breach”
takes you away forever. And this is only the back-story. A body is found in Beszel, victim of murder. Inspector Tyador
Borlú learns that the body was not killed in Beszel but placed there. He wants to enact Breach but no
breach has occurred. Instead he gets a special pass into Ul
Qoma to find the truth. While there he starts to
wonder: if there are two cities next to one another that are not allowed to see
each other, could a third city exist in between, unseen?
Utterly amazing dark mystery. I really didn’t think that Miéville
could keep up the back-story as complicated as it was but he pulled it off in a
way that I think no other possibly could have. It starts a bit slow but like
his other books, The City & The City slowly
coils around you and then squeezes down not allowing you to let go.
Stand outside of the things we call borders for a few hours and
read it: 5 out of 5