not too bad

I wasn't sure about carrying on with this series because I had mixed feelings about Perdido St Station (long, exhausting but ultimately quite satisfying). I should say that The Scar is not at all a sequel to the previous book, it's simply set in the same world with the occurrences from Perdido only peripheral comments to this story. In The Scar, I liked some of the concepts, and many of the characters had potential but they never really followed through. For all that the story should have been epic, it actually all felt a bit pointless by the end. The narrator was ok but I much preferred the chap who did the previous novel. I think his grandiose style better suited the story. In summary, it was ok, some good bits, some tension but, to be honest, I was a bit indifferent about the fate of the characters by the end. I'd say it's worth a credit if you enjoyed the Bas Lag setting but I wouldn't put it at the top of your wishlist.

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11 people found this helpful

A great series of books let down by the narration

I love China Mieville but I can't recommend the audiobooks.

There seems to have been a lot of odd choices when it comes to the narrators and I feel Damian Lynch's reading style, even voice, doesn't really suit the theme.

I've read a lot of similar sentiments about this and his other audiobooks in the series and that is what spurned me to write this short comment and confirm what others have said.

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7 people found this helpful

A Stunning, Thought Provoking Read

China Mieville has got to be one of the hardest working authors I've ever read. He puts stunning little side plots and nuggets into his fiction that would be a whole novel to a lesser writer! Anyway...

The Scar is a fascinating story that develops around a lady running away from her home city and finding a city like she never dreamed. Full of danger, intrigue, the strange and familiar it calls to our heroine (Bellis) and she is torn between love and fear of her lost home.

When the chance comes to betray her new, floating, home in Armada she does but ultimately is a pawn in a larger game. The small cog in a larger wheel is a recurring theme in CM's work and is appealing as a starting point for character development. On the subject of characters, the diversity, depth and sheer imagination of CM's vision is amazing.

My only criticism of CM's stories is, and please bear in mind I'm a fan of Perdido Street Station, Iron Council and The Scar, that I never like the way the stories end. It's my personal opinion only.

This is a great, sweeping, imaginative story that will take you from the familiar ie politics (Mr Mieville like the theme) to philosophy to religion and beyond, all in an easily accessible 'steampunk' past-present.

Give it a try, you'll enjoy!

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7 people found this helpful

Compelling story, poor narration

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

The story is great but Lynch seems to struggle to handle what sounds like a clumsy sight reading of the text.

What did you like best about this story?

As usual Mieville's work crackles with great ideas, weird landscapes and a rich, deep world building

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The contrast between the dialogue, which pops with personality, and the narrative which stumbles under a stilted delivery of two to three sentence chunks really grates after a while.

Did The Scar inspire you to do anything?

Sadly, it inspired me to stop listening

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6 people found this helpful

Truly fantastic story ruined by terrible narrator

This is one of my favourite China Mieville story’s and I downloaded it despite having read the book twice. The narrator should, however, stick to reading children’s books.

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5 people found this helpful

Appalling choice of narrator

After the superb experience of listening to perdido street station I immediately went on to buy the sequel. If only they had kept the same reader. Damien Lynch's narration has no sense of awe, drama or any real emotion stronger than mild boredom. It's as if this is the first time he has read the text and is unaware of the power of the words he is speaking. Shame, this book deserved more. Definitely one to read rather than to listen to.

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3 people found this helpful

Good overall, but.....

Good overall, but there is some very careless editing where several passages are read twice (presumably due to the reader making an error such as using an incorrect inflection the first time which has subsequently not been edited out)....only a sentence or so each time, but detracts from an otherwise enjoyable listen.....

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2 people found this helpful

Deserves a more invested narrator

While the book is a fantastic read I struggled to finish this Audible version due to the flat narration. The whimsy and weird are rendered mundane and dull due to this unfortunate choice of narrator.

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1 person found this helpful

Sorry to say ...

What disappointed you about The Scar?

This is just not read well: I've thought about this a lot, and I think the problem is that he doesn't sound as though he believes what he's reading (always tricky, of course, with Mieville's amazing worlds). It sounds as though he's reading a children's story..Harry Potter maybe, where the grown-ups know it's not real ...

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Scar?

I love Mielville's writing and the battle scenes are excellently written.

What didn’t you like about Damian Lynch’s performance?

see above

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment, I think

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1 person found this helpful

I would give 6 stars

It's the best book I've ever read. It's greater than the Avanc :D I can't wait to start Iron Council.

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