Mieville, C. (2007). Un Lun Dun.
New York: Del Rey Books. ISBN 0230016278
Plot Summary
When 12-year-old Zanna starts to see clouds that look exactly like her and has strangers coming up to her calling her "Shwazzy" she is more than confused, but when she is attacked by a dark cloud she decides to stay at her friend Deeba's house to feel safe. Deeba and Zanna follow a mobile, broken umbrella that leads them through a portal to UnLondon, a place constructed of London's refuse and rejections, and a place where Zanna is the chosen one to save the world from the Smog, an amorphous black cloud of sentient pollution. Meeting groups like slaterunners and weatherwitches, the two girls must figure out how they fit into this world and somehow save it in order to save London as well.
Critical Evaluation
Un Lun Dun is a fantasy book through and through, with its extremely rich world inhabited by foreign, yet relatable characters. There are similarities to be drawn between this and the Narnia books, in which children travel through a portal to save a world that is not their own, but the comparisons stop there. The language that Deeba and Zanna hear in UnLondon is a twisted version of words and terms in actual London; the klinneract, an all-powerful weapon rumored to be the key to defeating the Smog, is actually London's Clean Air Act. This idea is further played upon with the title of Un Lun Dun and the location of UnLondon.
Reader's Annotation
In the world of UnLondon, an alternate world plagued by the refuse of actual London, Deeba must help her friend restore balance to both worlds.
Author Information
China was born in 1972 and raised in Willesden, north of London. At 18, he moved to Egypt for a year to teach English where he became fascinated with the Arab world, a fact witnessed in the locales of much of his fiction. He holds a Masters and PhD from the London School of Economics in International Relations. Feeling that modern understanding of politics is inaccurate, he became interested in Marxism which informs many of his left-wing viewpoints that he espouses.
He has said that he wants to write a book in every genre, but considers his work to be "weird fiction." His books have won the British Fantasy Award, Locus Award, and Arthur C. Clarke award, and he has been nominated for many others including the Hugo and Nebula Award.
He has said that he wants to write a book in every genre, but considers his work to be "weird fiction." His books have won the British Fantasy Award, Locus Award, and Arthur C. Clarke award, and he has been nominated for many others including the Hugo and Nebula Award.
Genre
Fantasy
Fantasy
Curriculum Ties
Reading and Language Arts
Booktalking Ideas
As Deeba, describe having to witness Zanna sent away from UnLondon with her memory of it erased and examine Deeba's own personal discovery that she is going to have to serve as "the chosen one."
Reading Level/Interest Age
This book could definitely skew younger than the 15-year-old range, but its similarities to Harry Potter and Neil Gaiman books mean that its appeal also runs a bit older; it is frequently found in adult science fiction/fantasy sections of libraries.
Challenge Issues
Some political ideas are alluded to here.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.
Reason Selected
I read Mieville's Perdido Street Station years ago, but it remains one of the best fantasy/science fiction books I've ever read. Mieville's richly detailed writing shines through in Un Lun Dun just as brightly.
References
China Mieville. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 12, 2013,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Miéville
No comments:
Post a Comment