Well, it's Hemingway. There is some lovely language in this, some beautiful moments. Downbeat at moments, but with joy in some simple things. I found it a calming read - something about the rhythm of the language, I suppose.

It took me a while to get my head into gear, but it was worth it. China Mieville has crafted a wonderful book here, with a very interesting view on art and culture in society. There are some great images which will stay with me. I like that he has kept it short and relatively simple; I can imagine there was a temptation to really live in New Paris for a while and write something larger and more labyrinthine.

Hugely imaginative, with some wonderful (and disturbing) creations. Interesting characters, and a deep mythology. Really worth a read.

The first of his books that I've read. The language he uses really stood out for me, and really helped to take me on the journey of our narrator. It's a book which has a great deal that can be taken from it, and I'll be thinking about the new perspective it provides on America for quite some time. I'll definitely pick up more from him.

I am a fan of China Mieville. He is very good at world-building, and creates vivid images which stay with me. He also has a joy with language, and word play. This novel, although much shorter than his previous books, is a beautifully crafted thing, and dense with images and character.

Dated, yes. More so than other Wyndham novels. But still enjoyable, intriguing and - at times - exciting stuff. If anything, it's more fun now looking back at how the future of space travel was seen at the end of the 1950's than it would have been reading it back then. As with all of his books, it's a quick, easy read too.