China's gift for language is admirable. His descriptions in this book jump right off the page, and the characters are all very well drawn. As well, his powers of imagination are formidable and Perdido Street Station is bursting with originality.However, I strongly disliked this book and put it down--gave it to charity, actually--after reading only 150 pages. Why? Because although I felt like I was really in the world the author created, I detested that world. There is nothing beautiful there, nothing admirable--just filth and misery. When I read a book I want it to be an escape from real life--to someplace better, not to someplace worse.I was also turned off by the scene near the beginning of the main character having sex with the insect-woman. But even though that part was so strange, I kept on reading...and eventually decided that it was just a waste of time.I need something at least a little bit more uplifting and a little less depressing.