KPFA - Radio Wolinsky

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.
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INSIGHT

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.
INSIGHT

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.
INSIGHT

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.
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