In the twin cities of Besźel and Ul Qoma, citizens are strictly forbidden from acknowledging the existence of each other's city. Inspector Tyador Borlú investigates the murder of a young woman, a case that leads him to probe the delicate and dangerous boundaries between the two cities. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a conspiracy that challenges the very nature of reality and national identity. Miéville masterfully intertwines elements of noir and speculative fiction, prompting questions about perception, politics, and society. Will Borlú confront the unbreachable divides, or will the truth remain hidden, lost between the cities?
By China Miéville
Published: 2010
"In a world divided by perception, we must learn to see the invisible and confront the complexities of our shared reality."
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE LOS ANGELES TIMES, THE SEATTLE TIMES, AND PUBLISHERS WEEKLY When a murdered woman is found in the city of Beszel, somewhere at the edge of Europe, it looks to be a routine case for Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Extreme Crime Squad. To investigate, Borlú must travel from the decaying Beszel to its equal, rival, and intimate neighbor, the vibrant city of Ul Qoma. But this is a border crossing like no other, a journey as psychic as it is physical, a seeing of the unseen. With Ul Qoman detective Qussim Dhatt, Borlú is enmeshed in a sordid underworld of nationalists intent on destroying their neighboring city, and unificationists who dream of dissolving the two into one. As the detectives uncover the dead woman’s secrets, they begin to suspect a truth that could cost them more than their lives. What stands against them are murderous powers in Beszel and in Ul Qoma: and, most terrifying of all, that which lies between these two cities.
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“In a world divided by perception, we must learn to see the invisible and confront the complexities of our shared reality.”
The City & The City
By China Miéville
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China Miéville is a British author, known for his innovative contributions to the genre of speculative fiction. His work often blends elements of fantasy, horror, and science fiction, characterized by intricate world-building and a rich, imaginative narrative style. Miéville's notable works include 'Perdido Street Station', 'The City & The City', which won the Arthur C. Clarke Award, and 'Embassytown', celebrated for its exploration of language and communication. A prominent voice in contemporary literature, he is also an advocate for socialist politics, which often informs his storytelling.
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