Questions About The Scar (New Crobuzon, #2)

by China Miéville (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (4)

Can The Scar be read as a stand alone or is Perdido Street Station required reading first?

Murf I read The Scar first, before I knew it was part of a series (which I have since completed). It, and all the others, stands alone just fine.

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I read "The City + The City" and "Embassytown" by Miéville, and absolutely loved them. But the first book in the Bas-Lag trilogy left me totally cold. In my opinion it was overly long, quite badly structured (a bit like this question), and I didn't like the way the main characters were portrayed. Is there a chance I might enjoy this one? Because I keep reading it's vast improvement on the first book?

Ira Carter Don't know whether I agree that it's a vast improvement on Perdido Street Station - I think each have their own virtues. I think some could claim The …moreDon't know whether I agree that it's a vast improvement on Perdido Street Station - I think each have their own virtues. I think some could claim The Scar is also overly long, badly structured, and many characters are "unlikeable" but many scenes are very compelling and the is no disputing that Mieville can write.(less)

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Can I read The Scar if I haven't read any other of China Mieville's books before? because I own The Scar but none of his other books. Does it stand alone? Should I read any others first? any advice? thank you so much!

Jake Yes, you can read it as a stand-alone. If you don't read Perdido Street Station beforehand, I'd recommend reading it afterwards, as it is another grea…moreYes, you can read it as a stand-alone. If you don't read Perdido Street Station beforehand, I'd recommend reading it afterwards, as it is another great book set in the same world and its events take place before those of The Scar.(less)

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I read the first chapters of this book, but I already really hate the main protagonist. Is there an arc for this character, will she become more likable throughout the book? I loved Perdido Street Station, and I'd like to read more about Bas-Lag, but now I just can't seem to pick it up because I don't want to read more about her. Should I just skip this book?

Robert Carter See, its funny I actually really liked Bellis. She's cold, she doesn't really want to be bothered, she wants to go home- she's a classic introvert. Bu…moreSee, its funny I actually really liked Bellis. She's cold, she doesn't really want to be bothered, she wants to go home- she's a classic introvert. But she has people who love and care about her (she's writing to them, with such care and devotion) but they are few and far between. It takes a lot to earn her trust. Then you see how she teaches Shekel to read. She's not a person who gives her trust casually, and you have to have qualities she respects (unlike the annoying Sister Meriope who may be kind or whatever- but Bellis is absolutely right- if she gave her any sympathy she would just be sucked into her drama).

Maybe I'm a bit like her. But I thought she was great and well drawn protagonist. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

There is an error in the description. They are not ON their way to NC, they are on their way to Nova Esperium FROM NC. No?

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