Miévillians discussion
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King Rat
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Looking forward, Derek!
I'm frickin' stoked. I've been too pre-occupied with personal business to do much reading (or much of anything!), but now I want to destroy a book, and Miéville always presents wonderful opportunities.So, with that inchoate (kidding) thought hanging, I'm going to get back to reading!
J. wrote: "I'm frickin' stoked. I've been too pre-occupied with personal business to do much reading (or much of anything!), but now I want to destroy a book, and Miéville always presents wonderful opportuni..."Like!!
It will be nice to do a Mieville again for a change!
Definitely, even though it is one I have read before and not one of my favorites. I hope doing it jointly will help me appreciate it more.
Yaye! So glad the usual crowd will be gathering! ^_^
I'm here. Just trying to get far enough ahead to be ready!
I'll be behind as usual lately... :PWe need a rear guard too!
A cheer for the rear guard! :)
Rear guard's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. Be careful back there, there are spoilers lurking everywhere!
I will join you guys over the weekend - really excited since it's a Mieville book I haven't yet read!
Welcome Nataliya!Despite the difficult slang, it's a quick read. I'll start section two on Saturday.
Here's a good interview (it seems familiar, so I expect Traveller already dredged it up for a previous read, but it has some specifics about King Rat):http://www.depauw.edu/sfs/interviews/...
"JG: The story of the Pied Piper of Hamlin is central to the novel, and the African trickster Anansi is there as well. Would you expand on your use of folk tales and myths in King Rat?
CM: All the animal superiors came from various mythic or artistic influences. The Anansi in the book is more the spider in his West Indian incarnation. The King of the Cats is mentioned, who’s a fairy tale figure (and also refers to An Arabian Nightmare by Robert Irwin [1983]). Kataris, Queen Bitch, is a demon in charge of dogs from a pantheon I can’t remember. Loplop, Bird Superior, is a character from Max Ernst’s paintings. Lord of the Flies refers to the novel of that name [by William Golding 1959], of course. All the animals in the novel have their own boss, and you’ve got figures from African, European, mythic, and artistic traditions all mixed up."
Interestingly, he's either got a couple of those wrong, he's forgotten important details, or just doesn't want to bore the interviewer. The King of the Cats is named Tibault: which is from Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio calls Tybalt the King of the Cats. Then, in Benét's The King of the Cats, the title character, Monsieur Tibault, is said to be related to the Tybalt of Romeo and Juliet.
And King Rat's "Lord of the Flies" is named Mr. Bub, which is clearly Beelzebub (which roughly translates as "Lord of the Flies"), and rather predates mister Golding.
I'm finally starting... will hopefully see you guys in the threads soon. :PInteresting post 15, Derek!
Good to see you back, Traveller. I missed you.
I've almost read enough to post in the first thread, Ruth! I've been missing you guys as well. :)
Then I'd really better get myself caught up. I promised the next section over a week ago...
Well, had to drop out for bit but back now. So hopefully I see everyone back in the threads too :)
Sorry, after far too long, the last two discussion sections are now up. I have no excuses.King Rat: Part Five - Spirits: Chapters Twenty to Twenty-Five
King Rat: Part Six - Jung List Terror & Epilogue: Chapters Twenty-Six to end
Miévillians
Books mentioned in this topic
King Rat (other topics)Romeo and Juliet (other topics)
The King of the Cats (other topics)
In the other threads, feel free to discuss anything that happens in the chapters covered by the thread. Anybody participating should expect spoilers if they haven't read that far.
Any general comments you have can go in this thread, but please: no spoilers!