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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/29/2010 3:40:44 PM
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I just put my copy on hold. Picking it up tomorrow morning, w00t. I am so excited to read this one.
The Natural History Museum’s prize exhibit – a giant squid – suddenly disappears. This audacious theft leads Clem, the research scientist who has recently finished preserving the exhibit, into a dark urban underworld of warring cults and surreal magic. It seems that for some, the squid represents a god and should be worshiped as such. Clem gradually comes to realise that someone may be attempting to use the squid to trigger an apocalypse. And so it is now up to him and a renegade squid-worshiper named Dean to find a way of stopping the destruction of the world as they know it whilst themselves surviving the all out-gang warfare that they have unwittingly been drawn into…
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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Bush League Critic
Joined:
3/15/2007
Total Posts:
4,169
12
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 4:53:15 AM
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I'd love to be reading that right now, Fizz. Unfortunately, brand new hardcover releases are out of my price range for the time being.
Keep us posted on what you think.
- Doug
"Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life."
The Bush League Critic - Speculative Fiction News and Reviews
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Kazz D'Avore ....................... Anabar Thy'lend
Joined:
7/15/2003
Total Posts:
4,295
3
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 8:24:59 AM
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Doug - do you use your local library? I've been surprised at how many recent releases I've been able to get with, at most, a few weeks being on the waiting list. And Mrs. Colon certainly likes the reduced clutter 
CADRE OF THE FALLEN
"I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death." Leonardo Da Vinci
"Some believe in Destiny, and some believe in Fate, but I believe that Happiness is something we create" - Sugarland
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Bush League Critic
Joined:
3/15/2007
Total Posts:
4,169
12
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 8:50:16 AM
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Interestingly enough, I recently registered at my local library (first time since high-school). Unfortunately, it's a very small town with a very small library that doesn't place a high priority on obtaining the latest and greatest in Speculative Fiction.
I've made several suggestions about new authors in the genre that they may want to have on hand, but I'm still waiting to see if they act on my requests. I am using the library to read a lot of the older works that I never got around to reading. 
- Doug
"Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life."
The Bush League Critic - Speculative Fiction News and Reviews
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Shaping Kurald Thyrllan
Joined:
1/23/2003
Total Posts:
2,443
4
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 10:02:31 AM
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I've got a copy of this (bound manuscript!), and hope to get around to it sometime in the next couple of months. My first, and only, experience with Mieville is The City & The City, which, from what I understand, is a very different experience than Kraken. Though, to be honest, at first blush Kraken appeals to me much more than TC&TC, which is always a good sign.
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Joined:
6/16/2010
Total Posts:
136
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 10:20:06 AM
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My first, and only, experience with Mieville is The City & The City,
Read Perdido Street Station, pronto!!
I'm debating picking up City and City, or Kraken. I want Mieville to return to New Crobazon, but I may just have to break down and try one of these, anyway.
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Shaping Kurald Thyrllan
Joined:
1/23/2003
Total Posts:
2,443
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 10:32:38 AM
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Perdido Street Station is one of those novels I'm saving for a rainy day. I'm not actually too versed/fond of 'New Weird' novels, but delving into Mark Charan Newton's work, along with my tastes expanding significantly over the past few years, Mieville is one of those authors that's falling more firmly into my radar.
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Bush League Critic
Joined:
3/15/2007
Total Posts:
4,169
12
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 10:44:47 AM
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I'm not actually too versed/fond of 'New Weird' novels
I was the same way Al'Kael, but Perdido Street Station put my fears to rest. I've not ventured out of New Crobazon myself when it comes to Mieville. 
- Doug
"Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life."
The Bush League Critic - Speculative Fiction News and Reviews
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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 11:43:29 AM
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I've read some of his short stories here and there and I've read half of Perdido Street Station and I was enjoying it but I think it was just the wrong time for me for that particular book.
But I love the idea of this book so much, I had to pick it up.
About four chapters in and it has a very Lovecraftian feel to it. So if you enjoy anything related to the Cthulhu-cult, then you'll enjoy this book.
Cheers.
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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Joined:
11/11/2007
Total Posts:
385
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
6/30/2010 5:38:46 PM
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Kraken is great. If anything, it can be compared to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. Two of the best characters in Miéville's novel, Goss and Subby, are even a tribute to Gaiman's Croup and Vandemar. If you don't like Gaiman, don't let the comparison put you off, though; I think Kraken is a superior novel to Neverwhere and one of Miéville's best (although that doesn't say much, as I love every one of his works I've read).
Life is so simple...Press the button and watch the robot jump. But I'm not a robot. I'm a freak of the universe...a thinking animal. - The Stars my Destination by Alfred Bester.
Bow down: I am the emperor of dreams;
I crown me with the million-colored sun
Of secret worlds incredible, and take
Their trailing skies for vestment when I soar,
Throned on the mounting zenith, and illume
The spaceward-flown horizons infinite.
- From The Hashish Eater by Clark Ashton Smith
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is on a boat
Joined:
8/4/2003
Total Posts:
7,135
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/1/2010 8:15:08 PM
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I need to pick this up, but I'm so far behind reading-wise it'll be awhile before I get to it.
For example, I still need to read The Red Wolf Conspiracy and The City and The City.
We don't need no education.
We don't need no thought control.
No dark sarcasm in the classroom.
(Hey). Teachers leave them kids alone.
All and all it's just another brick in the wall.
All and all you're just another brick in the wall.
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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/5/2010 5:54:55 AM
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I'm about 15 chapters in and it keeps on improving. The more I read the more of a Neil Gaiman vibe it has as well. So if you're a fan of Gaiman (and how can you not be), I suggest you pick it up. Cheers.
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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Shaping Kurald Thyrllan
Joined:
1/23/2003
Total Posts:
2,443
4
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/12/2010 10:34:16 AM
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The totally awesome cover for the limited edition of Kraken. Me likey.
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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/12/2010 11:24:36 AM
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I wish I could afford books off of Sub-press but they're just far too expensive. I'm about half-way through the book and it's an amazing read. Loving every mysteriously weird minute.
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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The Dude abides
Joined:
6/21/2003
Total Posts:
11,890
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/12/2010 11:26:14 AM
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DOUBLE POST
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The Dude abides
Joined:
6/21/2003
Total Posts:
11,890
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/12/2010 11:26:17 AM
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Black Staff Admin
Joined:
1/20/2003
Total Posts:
13,966
5
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/26/2010 8:20:56 PM
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"I'm not for hire, and I don't get to choose my path." -- Sider Ament
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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
7/27/2010 6:09:47 AM
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Thanks for sharing this video. I'm almost done my read of Kraken and I have loved every second of it.
Cheers.
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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la la la la la la
Joined:
6/18/2003
Total Posts:
7,529
10
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RE: Kraken by China Mielville
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Posted:
8/11/2010 2:53:27 PM
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How to describe China Mieville's urban fantasy mystery Kraken. Think of an every day object: a car, dog, a person, etc. Now imagine that this object is a GOD. It's not too difficult, we inevitably given power to the objects that surround us. Think of how much time we spend in our home or in our cars, the maintenance, the fuel. We wash our cars, we make sure they run well, we invest in tires and oil and everything else. That's what Mr. Mieville's work is about...the worship of "things".
Kraken is a story about a giant squid that resides in the London Natural History Museum. One day, the giant sea squid which resides in a tank, perfectly preserved just disappears. Billy Harrow is a quiet man who works at the museum who is in charge of tours. Soon he finds himself in the middle of a massive hunt, by a cult who believes he may be the next messiah. A figure who is bound with to the Kraken itself. Travelling through a London underground that he never quite believed was real, Billy soon finds himself talking to voodoo dolls, witches, and wizards who are all hunting for one thing THE KRAKEN. Imagine if Neil Gaiman were to somehow blend with Stephen King, the end result would be the dark imagination that is China Mieville.
The book is wonderful and full of subtle humour. My one complaint is that the book is a bit too long. The mystery stretches the entire length of the book and while I enjoy the various adventures that distract and confuse the reader (as well as the characters who are running from the various myths, cults, wizards, and bad-guys that are hunting for the Kraken), the book is too long and the main mystery is stretched to its limits. This builds a fair amount of tension and anxiety regarding the missing Kraken. Who took it? Why did they take it? What is going to happen if it's not found? All of these are questions raised in the first chapter and unfortunately it takes 500 pages for the answers to be revealed. The book could be shortened by at least 100 pages or so.
Still, the story is wonderfully written. It's filled with talking dolls, cults devoted to the sea, a union for wizard familiars who are on strike, a tattoo that talks and two of the most frightening characters I've ever read in my life: Goss and Subby. These two characters have their own agenda and are ruthless in the way they torture and murder as they scour the city of London in pursuit of Billy Harrow.
If you have any interest in the occult, myth, or religion (real and imagined), then this is a book you'll thoroughly enjoy.
Cheers.
"Cats and monkeys, monkeys and cats, all human life is there!" - Henry James
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