By: China Mieville
Part science fiction, part murder mystery, this novel takes place in twin cities that occupy the same geographical space. Street by street, building by building, even room by room, the two cities co-exist with different cultures, languages and foods. How is this accomplished? By strict adherence to not seeing, hearing or reacting to what is happening in the city in which you don't live. This extreme "custody of the eyes" is enforced by Breach, a much-feared authority over both cities. But what is Breach? And when a young woman is murdered in one city and her body found in the other - has a breach occurred? Fascinating commentary on the ways in which we do not see or understand those who differ from us in ethnicity, wealth, culture, religion or any other quality and equally fascinating to contemplate what it means to bridge those differences. Review by Anne. (Fiction) 08/24/09
