The City and the City by China Miéville has been highly praised for its inventive concept and skillful blending of genres, including crime and speculative fiction. Readers commend its thought-provoking exploration of perception and reality, though some find the dual-city premise initially confusing. Overall, its originality and depth make it a compelling read for fans of both mystery and fantasy.

Readers who will enjoy The City and the City by China Miéville appreciate intricate, genre-blending mysteries with political undertones. Fans of Kafkaesque narratives, like those in 1984 by George Orwell and The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick, will find this book’s surreal, dual-city setting enthralling.

In The City and the City, Inspector Tyador Borlú investigates the murder of archaeology student Mahalia Geary in the unique setting of Besźel and Ul Qoma, two distinct cities/countries that occupy the same physical space but maintain separate cultures and laws. As Borlú delves deeper, uncovering political corruption, extremist group involvement, and mythical legacies, the investigation leads him to confront the mysterious enforcers called Breach. Sensitive topics include violence and political extremism.

Mysterious / Gritty / Suspenseful / Unnerving

China Miéville

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The City and the City reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The City and the City | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The City and the City and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The City and the City Summary

Background

The City and the City Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Besźel”

Part 1, Chapters 1-5

The City and the City Part 1, Chapters 1-5 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 6-11

The City and the City Part 1, Chapters 6-11 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Ul Qoma”

Part 2, Chapters 12-16

The City and the City Part 2, Chapters 12-16 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 17-22

The City and the City Part 2, Chapters 17-22 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Breach”

Part 3, Chapter 23-Coda

The City and the City Part 3, Chapter 23-Coda Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The City and the City Character Analysis

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Themes

The City and the City Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The City and the City Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The City and the City Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The City and the City Essay Topics

The City and the City

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The City and the City?

Reading Age

Book Details