Humanity has become quite dependent on Embassytown's biotechnology and the city itself is a wonder of mechanical and biological symbiosis. It's a tricky one to get your head around, and a fascinating linguistic stumbling block that for the purposes of the novel, must be overcome. Normal humans can't master it because two phrases are spoken simultaneously, so they've bred cloned Ambassadors, whose minds are interlinked, thus allowing them to speak Language with the Hosts.

These Hosts speak Language, with a capital 'L'. Its inhabitants live in harmony with the Hosts, strange, benevolent alien creatures with very advanced technology. Right from the start there's a lot to take in, but here's a general breakdown: Our protagonist Avice Benner Cho lives in Embassytown, a city located on a distant planet at the edge of explored space. This is much purer science fiction and for those not well versed in the genre, the first 100 pages will be a bit of a shock to the system. Last year's Kraken was more of a fantastical comedy romp around London and it's reached the stage with Miéville that you're just not sure what he's going to do next.Įmbassytown is a far cry from either of his last two books.

Rightly so too, given its juicy Kafkaesque detective story. Hands down, he's the best science fiction writer in the world today and one of the reasons for that is his determination not to be pigeonholed within the genre.Ģ009's The City & The City swept the major awards and brought him more mainstream appeal. Clarke Award three times, the British Fantasy Award twice and last year he finally picked up the Hugo and World Fantasy trophies.

It's not for nothing British Sci-Fi writer China Miéville has cleaned up at awards ceremonies in recent years.

Embassytown by China Miéville