logo

46 pages 1 hour read

The City and the City

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
China Miéville

The City and the City

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2009
Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Besźel • Contemporary

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.1

76,806 ratings

71%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The City and the City?

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.

4.1

76,806 ratings

71%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Tyador Borlú

Inspector Tyador Borlú is a detective from the Extreme Crime Squad known for his resourcefulness and open-mindedness, particularly as he investigates a complex case that challenges his understanding of reality.

Qussim Dhatt is a police officer from Ul Qoma who works with Borlú on the case; while initially territorial, he becomes a collaborative partner in the investigation.

Lizbyet Corwi is a regional constable who aids Borlú with her keen observation and reliable nature, proving invaluable in moving the investigation forward.

Mahalia Geary is a brilliant Ph.D. student whose mysterious murder acts as the catalyst for the story's events.

Yolanda Rodriguez is Geary’s closest friend, whose involvement in the storyline adds depth to Geary's character and aids in developing the plot.

David Bowden is a disgraced academic whose involvement in the case reveals the layers of complexity beneath the surface of the investigation.

Book Details
Pages

336

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Besźel • Contemporary

Publication Year

2009

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.