The Scar

Just finished it and my brain is still reeling. It was quite a dense book, and it felt much denser than PSS. The anti-climax wasn't so much of a let down, as Mr Palmer suggested, it is more about the avoidance of the cataclysm than the event itself. Mieville writes about the interactions between people under exceptional duress, and The Scar is an excellent example of that.

However, having said that, let me say this. The wind down from the anti-climax was a bit dis-satisfactory, I would have preferred a bit more info on the send-off of The Lover rather than just hearsay. And I was never too satisfied by the Hedrigall story, was he a fact-Hedrigall or a nigh-Hedrigall?

And I would vote for PSS over The Scar. The story between Isaac and Lin is on par with the most classic of greek tragedies.
 
I've been chewing this over for a couple of days now. **Spoilers** Why did Uthor Doul set Bellis up to discover the truth about The Scar, when it was his information that spurred the Lover on? By all accounts it seemed he believed in The Scar and was using Armada and its rulers to get to it himself. He defends the mission zealously. But then, when Hedrigall is discovered, he instantly backs down. I would have at least expected him to go off with the Lover. It don't make no sense to me. Anyone?
 
Gully, I just did a really quick re-read of the end of The Scar, but it's been a while since I read it properly, so my opinion is mostly based on shaky memories. Anyway, here's what I think:

**SPOILERS**

Uther Doul is obviously a complex character - I think Mieville intended for him to be a bit unfathomable. However, I interpreted his actions as the result of conflict between his loyalty to his superiors, The Lovers, and his loyalty to Armada. I think that he's quite flawed despite his veneer of supreme awesomeness, and it isn't until Hedrigall's story that he realises how much danger Armada is really in.

I did find something interesting here saying that because of Doul's conflicting loyalties to bosses and city, " he devised a way (using Bellis, that possibility instrument, etc.) for events to unfold which would save the city, while at the same time not taking any direct actions which would be unloyal to the Lovers."
 
So I'm probably the only one here who isn't too fond of Mieville...

The Scar is the first book I've read of his, and I would be lying if I said I was stunningly impressed. I actually started reading this book in the first week of May and, one month in, I'm barely halfway through (a little under 300 pages). I'm not nearly that slow a reader, but something about this book is just failing to hold my interest. Sure, I've also been slightly busy over the last month; by contrast, however, I got Joe Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings a few days ago, and in five days reached 150 pages...

Something about Mieville's writing style bugs me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but for some reason, it doesn't entice me. I know one thing that irritated me (for no apparent reason) was his over-use of the word "thaumaturgy". It seems like he fell in love with the word, and couldn't help but work it in every two sentences for the first 200 pages. Every time I saw the word, it made me grit my teeth. I don't know why. I genuinely hate that word now.

Also, his writing seems a bit pretentious to me. This could just be me, of course, but I find he often uses 'big words' when simpler ones would have sufficed. It's not that I don't understand them. I do. But I can't help but wonder if he's doing it just to impress upon the reader his mastery of the English language. As I said before, maybe it's just me.

And unlike most, I actually don't find his creations to be very impressive. The Remade are almost funny, particularly what's-her-face, Shekel's girl? The one who's part boiler or whatever. The image makes me laugh, more than anything. And I find Jabber to be a ludicrous name for a diety, but that's more for personal reasons.

So, that was my Mini Mieville Rant. On the bright side, my interest and pace of reading has increased ever since they got to the island with the anophelii, so hopefully I'll enjoy the second half a lot more than the first. I better, because as it currently stands, I find it hard to picture myself buying another Mieville novel in the near future.
 
Devil's Advocate said:
The Scar is the first book I've read of his, and I would be lying if I said I was stunningly impressed. I actually started reading this book in the first week of May and, one month in, I'm barely halfway through (a little under 300 pages). I'm not nearly that slow a reader, but something about this book is just failing to hold my interest. Sure, I've also been slightly busy over the last month; by contrast, however, I got Joe Abercrombie's Last Argument of Kings a few days ago, and in five days reached 150 pages...
Click to expand...
I found it interesting that you mentioned Abercrombie, because while I love Mieville, I could not get into The Blade Itself! Maybe liking Abercrombie and Mieville are mutually exclusive for some reason...
 
Perhaps it is not as stark as that, digs.

I really liked the First Law trilogy, but while's true that The Scar is not my favourite Miéville book, I would heartily recommend other books of his, Perdido Street Station in particular.
 
True. I was just throwin' around unfounded theories like a crazed professor.
 
Then it's on: Bloody-Nine (not sure who he/she/it/they is/are/were/will be but it sounds murderous) vs Uther Doul. Probability swords at dawn.
 
In that case I'm going to have to pick a character that's good with thaumaturgy. Thaumaturgy thaumaturgy thaumaturgy. THAUMATURGY!

Okay, now the word annoys me too.
 
Alright, so I finished the book. As I had hoped, the second half was, indeed, much more interesting. I took me a month to reach the mid-point, but only a few days to finish it. Go figure.

Final thoughts? Well, I actually liked the second half. Well written, exciting... stuff was actually happening, as opposed to the rather dry first half. Best of all, Mieville actually cuts down on the use of "thaumaturgy", which can only be a good thing. I was disappointed in the 'showdown' between the Brucolac and Doul. I had been imagining that the former was the only one who could, perhaps, give Doul a run for his money, but then Mieville just skipped the fight and showed us the result. Doul is a tough SOB, isn't he? Now that I think about it, I don't want him fighting the Bloody-Nine...

So - first half: 4/10. Second half: 8/10. Overall rating (not an average): 7/10. In other words, not a book I'm absolutely in love with, but good enough that I'm not as averse to reading more Mieville novels as I thought I'd be.
 
Glad you persevered and came to enjoy it a bit more. Having read a few glowing reviews of The Blade Itself I'm actually gonna give that another try too. The long, bloody battle between Mieville and Abercrombie is finally over! The system works!
 
What is the Bloody Nine? Aside from gods/demi-gods/eriksonian ascendents there are not too many characters in fantasy that I can imagine posing a threat to Uther Doul. Even Scott Bakker's Dunyain monks would likely have a hard time finding the 'the moment' against a Possible Sword.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
ctg Rebel Moon - Part 2 - The Scargiver (Netflix) - 2024 General Film Discussion 15
Moonbat Oscar's New Dad General Film Discussion 0
T Vast Pile of Discarded Clothes Visible From Space Science & Nature 17
Swank Spit-balling post scarcity societies SFF Lounge 33
Toby Frost Old Horror Films - Scary Voice Trailer Man General Film Discussion 10

Similar threads


Back
Top