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China Mieville is one of the well known British authors who likes to write novels based on the fantasy, new weird, Steampunk, and weird fiction genres. He is also popular as a comic writer, novelist, and academic. Author China was born on September 6, 1972, in Norwich, England, The United Kingdom, and is working as a professional writer since the year 1998. He often portrays his work as weird fiction, inspired from the early twentieth century horror and pulp writers like H.P. Lovecraft. Also, he considers himself to be a member of the loose group of authors called as New Weird. Apart from writing exciting fantasy novels, author China keeps himself busy with the left wing politics in The United Kingdom. He was previously active as a member in the International Socialist organization in The United States, as well as the International Socialist Network for a short time. In the year 2013, author China went on to lay the foundation of the Left Unity along with several other members, after working as a member in some other political organizations. During the United Kingdom General Election of 2001, he stood for the Socialist Alliance. Later, he went on to publish his PhD thesis based on international law and Marxism in the form of a book. During the time between 2012 and 2013, author China was invited as the writer in residence at the Roosevelt University, located in Chicago.
Even though author China was born in Norwich, he spent most of his growing years in Willesden, located in northwest London. Since his childhood days, he has lived in this city along with his mother Claudia and sister Jemima. Claudia works as a writer, teacher, and translator. The reason behind the fact that author China remained throughout his life with his mother is that his parents got separated right after his birth. Because of this, he has said in his interviews that he does not actually know his father. His mother used the first name China after searching in the dictionary for a beautiful name. As of today, author China holds a dual citizenship of England and America, because of his mother’s birth in the New York City. China Mieville did 2 years of his schooling from the Oakham School, which is a co-ed independent school located in Oakham, Rutland. When he was of 18 years old in the year 1990, he used to teach English in Egypt. He worked there for a period of 1 year and during the same time, developed an interest towards the Arab culture and the politics of the Middle East. Later on, author China completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Clare College, Cambridge, in social anthropology in the year 1994. After that, he also gained his master’s degree as well as a PhD from the London School of Economics in the year 2001, in the subject of international relations. He even held a fellowship of Frank Knox at the Harvard University. Author China tried to study the theories of the post-modern history and politics, but was largely dissatisfied. Therefore, he went on to become a Marxist at the university. Consequently, he wrote and published a book version of his own PhD thesis, which was published in The United Kingdom in the year 2005 and then in the United States in the year 2006.
One of the most successful novel series written by author China Mieville is titled as ‘New Crobuzon’. This series is also known as the Bag-Lag series and consists of 3 books in total. Author China has described a fictional city-state named New Crobuzon, which is described as being located in the fictional world called Bag-Lag. Both the fictional city and country feature in the first and third novels of the New Crobuzon series and serve as the background and a plot device for the second novel of the series. The series is known by different named in different countries and was very much successful all over the world. The debut novel of the series is entitled ‘Perdido Street Station’. This book was published by the Ballantine Del Rey publishers in the year 2000. The main plot of this book is set around the primary characters named Issac Dan der Grimnebulin, Derkhan Blueday, Construct Council, Lemuel Pigeon, Yagharek, Bentham Rudgutter, Mr. Motley, and Lin. Author China has set the plot in a fictional city named New Crobuzon, located in the fictional world called as Bag-Lag. The book begins with the description of the city of New Crobuzon as lying beneath the bleached ribs of one of the ancient and deadly beasts. The city appears to be quite popular for its unsavory deal. Issac Grimnebulin is introduced as an eccentric and gifted scientist who keeps himself busy with his unique research work. Soon, he begins to face difficulties in his quiet life when a half-human, half-bird creature named Garuda comes to take him afar. Garuda makes a scientifically daunting request to Isaac, but he seems to be sparked by the curiosity of uncanny reverence of Garuda. In the end, the occurrence of an eerie metamorphosis takes place which permeates the city of New Crobuzon.
The first novel of the New Crobuzon series was followed by one of the other initial novels titled as ‘Iron Council’. This novel was published by the Del Rey publishers and is also set in the fictional country of Bag-Lag. This book appears to have a fantastic and fresh band of characters who form an important part of the plot set around several decades later in the city of New Crobuzn, than the first novel. At the beginning of the novel, it is depicted that conflict, wars, intrigue, and revolutions in taking place in New Crobuzon. These things are causing the destruction of the city, pushing it to the brink. The continuous rioting on the streets and the war with the neighboring city of Tesh is also affecting New Crobuzon a lot. After a mysterious figure begins a strange rebellion, the city gets filled with violence and treachery. Looking desperately for a solution and hope, a small renegade group escape from the city and cross the alien and strange continents. In the meantime, the dangerous hours begin in the city of New Crobuzon and rumors begin to spread that the time has come to the iron council. This book proved to be a lyrical and voluminous novel, which helped author China to become a more successful novelist and prolong his writing career.
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