![]() ![]() ![]() The first chapter shows them in perfect, natural harmony with each other. Set in this time, place and atmosphere is the story of Edie and Gnome. A time of suffragists and a blossoming underground queer culture, both of which were violently opposed by state and police. It is set in the late 19th early 20th century in Manchester, England. She is antisocial, and selfish, and finds herself reluctantly drawn to the centre of the action due to her skill in translation. Bellis is an unusual and frequently unsympathetic “hero” but complex and authentic. Although the main protagonist, Bellis, is female, the world of Bas-Lag feels like a place where gender has little relevance. The Scar does not deal explicitly with gender. The quest to control a particular form of magic drives Armada across the oceans and underpins much of the novel’s intrigue. Magic exists as a resource, fuelling political intrigue as countries and empires battle for supremacy. ![]() Mieville’s densely poetic prose brings the city to life and while most of the populous are background figures, there are some notable exceptions, including the Remade Tanner Sack who takes us beneath the surface of the ocean. The politics of the city are fascinating as are its enigmatic rulers, the scarred Lovers. Armada is a pirate city, populated by both mundane and outlandish citizens, and built on decommissioned vessels connected to each other by bridges. ![]()
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