Sean’s Blog

Looking for Jake - China Mieville

Several years ago, I ran across Perdido Street Station in the local library and picked it up hoping for a fun read. What I didn’t expect was that it would change the way I read fantasy forever. Not long after I finished it I ran out to my local book store and bought The Scar and for the first time ever, I preordered a book from Amazon (Iron Council). Needless to say, I have pretty high expectations of China Mieville. Looking For Jake is a collection of his short stories and does not disappointed.

Mieville is one of the most original authors working today in my opinion and I generally read anything of his that I can get my hands on. Although I would recommend Perdido Street Station or The Scar to someone that had not yet read anything by him, Looking for Jake is a fine collection.

For me there are four real standout stories:

• “Familiar” - The dark and oddly touching tale of a failed sorcerer’s familiar after it is discarded and how it tries to make it’s way in the world on it’s own.
• “Go Between” - A great tale of a man that receives message. He doesn’t know who the com from or what they are telling him to deliver, but he does. Ambiguous and steeped in paranoia, making it a great read.
• “Different Skies” - A window looks out onto a different London then the one that exists and torments the old man who looks out it. For me this was the scariest story in the book.
• “The Tain” - Our reflections hate us, and when they revolt and break free from the mirrors that impression them, the entire world suffers.

If you want something to really blow your mind, pick up Perdido Street Station or The Scar. But if you are just looking for something quick, or are already a Mieville fan this book is definitely a worthy addition to your collection.