Everything Fantasy and Sci-Fi

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Epic Fantasy Books is celebrating a year of Getting to Know fantasy/science fiction authors and their books. Vote for your favorite quote in this Part 1 of 4 series post.

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"One day I took the manuscript of “King Solomon’s Mines” to be bound by Mr. H. Glaisher the bookseller. In the carriage of the Underground Railway I perceived an old lady engaged in a close, indeed an almost ferocious study of the map (showing the route to King Solomon's Mine) printed at the beginning of the printed volume which rested on her knees. This was too much for me. Drawing the original map from my pocket, I placed it on my knee — we were seated opposite to each other — and began to study it with like attention. The old lady looked up and saw. She stared first at her map and then at mine, and stared, and stared. Twice she opened her mouth to speak, but I suppose was too shy, nor did I, apparently absorbed in the contemplation of my map, written in blood upon a dirty piece of torn linen, the shirt-tail of Don Jose de Silvestra, give her the slightest encouragement. The end of it was that she seemed to come to the conclusion that that railway carriage in which we were alone together was no place for her. Suddenly, as we were about to leave a station, she sprang up and leapt from the train, at which, the unfolded map still in her hand, she gazed bewildered until it vanished into the tunnel."

H. Rider Haggard, was an English writer of adventure novels set in exotic locations, predominantly Africa.  After returning to England in 1882, Haggard published a book on the political situation in South Africa, as well as a handful of unsuccessful novels, before writing the book for which he is most famous, King Solomon's Mines. The book was so successful that the publishing company had trouble printing copies fast enough to meet demand.

Check out our recap of China Miéville and his debut novel, King Rat.

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China Miéville is active in left-wing politics in the UK and has previously been a member of the International Socialist Organization (US), and the short-lived International Socialist Network. He published his PhD thesis on Marxism and international law. In this video, he talks briefly about wearing the two hats of politics and fantasy.

China Miéville, author of King Rat, talks about writing

A. Italy B. Beszel C. London D. Bas-lag

China Miéville's first debut novel was "King Rat."  It follows the life of Saul Garamond. Saul Garamond returns to the flat he shares with his father in London late one evening, skipping on greetings and heading straight to bed. In the morning he is awakened by police pounding on the door, demanding his arrest. His father has died and he is the lone suspect in his father's murder case. After spending most of the day being interrogated and in a holding cell, Saul finds he has a mysterious visitor, who introduces himself as King Rat. King Rat helps Saul escape and informs him that he has been set up to take the fall for his father's death. King Rat also tells Saul of his rat ancestry and Saul, being half rat, discovers the use of his abilities such as being able to eat anything, even garbage, and squeezing into holes and shadows too small for other creatures. Saul is soon brought into King Rat's plan for revenge against an ancient enemy.  Saul must now confront the forces that would use him, the forces that would destroy him, and the forces that shape his own bizarre identity.

Let's get to know China Miéville. His books are a re-imagined realm of fantasy fiction that he likes to refer to as "weird fiction."