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China Miéville says we shouldn’t blame science fiction for its bad readers


It’s been 25 years since China Miéville stepped into the literary spotlight with his novel “Perdido Street Station.” Combining elements of science

Combining elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, the novel introduced readers to the fantastically complex city of New Crobuzon, filled with insect-headed khepri, cactus-shaped cactacae, and terrifying slake moths that feed on their victims’ dreams. Image Credits: The Folio Society/Douglas Bell I remember my high school self and college self, who was clutching “Perdido Street Station”or Philip K. Dick or Ursula Le Guin and saying, “You guys don’t understand, this is so good.” I had that evangelical fire. Image Credits: The Folio Society/Douglas Bell A big part of my response when I see something like that is to think, “You guys are bad readers, and you’re just fixated on the gadgets, as opposed to the more interesting or radical political or social notions.” But on some level, I also think, “Are they just subscribing to this ur-narrative that a lot of science fiction sells: Won’t it be great when we go to Mars?

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