

China Mieville, “Perdido Street Station,” 2002
Jan 26, 2025
China Mieville, a celebrated British author known for his imaginative works in weird fantasy and political activism, dives into the art of world-building inspired by his acclaimed novel, 'Perdido Street Station.' He discusses the evolution of dark themes in fantasy, emphasizing the link between literary worlds and real-world politics. Mieville also reflects on his influences from cyberpunk and Lovecraft, exploring the delicate balance of character development and the ruthless revision process essential for crafting compelling narratives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Alternative Fantasy Tradition
- Mieville locates himself in a non-Tolkien fantasy tradition that prizes the macabre, grotesque, and surreal.
- He intentionally draws from weird tales and baroque influences rather than bucolic, feudal mythmaking.
World Before Story
- Mieville builds worlds by systematizing world elements first and then placing a story inside them, following Tolkien's method structurally.
- He flips Tolkien's bucolic focus to emphasize urban brutality and capitalist dynamics instead of feudal romance.
Politics Embedded In The City
- The government in New Crobuzon functions as a spuriously democratic, brutal city-state reflecting modern politics.
- Mieville uses that texture to let readers recognize strike-breaking, police, and corporate dynamics without preaching.