Embassytown

by China Miéville
Embassytown cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Science Fiction (Sci-Fi)
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  • ID: 1334
  • Added: 2025-10-04
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780230750760
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 22
  • Reviews: 4

Embassytown is a city unlike any other, a place of paradoxes and wonders on the fringes of the universe. Avice, an immerser, has spent her life traveling the immer, a dimension beyond the ordinary, and now she finds herself back on her home planet, drawn into a web of intrigue and discovery. The city's unique culture and the enigmatic nature of its inhabitants promise a journey filled with unexpected revelations and profound questions about language, identity, and the very fabric of reality./n/nAs Avice navigates the complexities of Embassytown, she encounters a society that defies conventional understanding. The city's inhabitants communicate in a way that challenges the limits of human comprehension, and Avice's role as an immerser becomes crucial in unraveling the mysteries that surround her. With each step, she delves deeper into a world where the boundaries between language, thought, and existence blur, leading to a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is captivating.

Reviews
At Boundary's Edge · 2025-08-22
bold 4.25

This experimental work is a meditation on the nature of language that few other authors would attempt. It is seen as a bold and ambitious exploration of complex themes.

The reviewer describes 'Embassytown' as an experimental work that delves deep into the nature of language, a theme that few authors would dare to tackle. They praise the novel's ambition and its exploration of complex ideas, noting that it is a challenging but rewarding read. The reviewer also highlights the novel's unique setting and its ability to create a sense of wonder and curiosity in the reader.

Quick quotes

    Embassytown is an experimental work and a meditation on the nature of language that few other authors would even attempt.

    It is a bold and ambitious exploration of complex themes.

    The novel's unique setting and its ability to create a sense of wonder and curiosity are particularly noteworthy.

Fantasy Hive · TO Munro · 2023-04-04
excellent 4.75

Mieville's writing style is immersive and his ability to create a unique and compelling world is praised. The novel is seen as a standout work in his bibliography.

TO Munro highlights Mieville's wonderfully immersive writing style, which draws readers into the unique world of Embassytown. They appreciate the novel's exploration of language and its impact on society, noting that it is one of Mieville's best works. The reviewer is particularly impressed by the author's ability to create a compelling and thought-provoking narrative that lingers with the reader long after the final page.

Quick quotes

    Mieville has a wonderfully immersive writing style.

    Embassytown is easily one of his best work.

    The thing about Miéville's writing in general is that it is often scabrous, but in this case, it is also deeply thoughtful and engaging.

Zachary Houle - Medium · Zachary Houle · 2020-01-01
average 2.50

The reviewer finds the novel merely average, appreciating its originality but feeling that much of it is overly academic. They feel it lacks the depth and engagement of Mieville's other works.

Zachary Houle finds Embassytown to be merely average, appreciating its originality but feeling that much of the book is overly academic. They feel it lacks the depth and engagement of Mieville's other works. The reviewer acknowledges the novel's unique exploration of language but finds it to be more of a chore than a joy to read. They suggest that Mieville's other works are more compelling.

Quick quotes

    In the end, I found Embassytown to be merely average.

    While I did appreciate its originality, I found that a lot of the book was simply homework.

    I suggest that Mieville's other works are more compelling.

Nusantara Naga · 2019-11-08
excellent 4.50

The reviewer considers Embassytown one of Mieville's best works, praising its scabrous writing and unique exploration of language.

The reviewer highly recommends Embassytown, considering it one of China Mieville's best works. They praise the novel's scabrous writing style and its unique exploration of language and communication. The reviewer finds the novel to be both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging, highlighting Mieville's ability to create a rich and immersive world. Overall, the review is very positive and recommends the novel to fans of speculative fiction.

Quick quotes

    Embassytown, in my opinion, is easily one of his best work and the thing about Miéville's writing in general is that it is often scabrous,

    The novel's exploration of language and communication is both original and thought-provoking.

    Miéville's ability to create a rich and immersive world is on full display in Embassytown.

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