Point of View

Un Lun Dun is told from a third-person limited point of view, which does not give the reader access to the characters’ thoughts, but does follow their actions. The narrative voice is neutral and disinterested. It does not make the reader aware of itself.

Language and Meaning

The language in Un Lun Dun is unusual. Mieville invents words to populate an entire alternate universe. In some cases, his names for things are campy and obvious—like the binjas or the unbrellas. However, in some cases the names are inventive and interesting, like the Pons Absconditus or the ‘Schwazzy.’ The language is not very metaphorical or symbolic, so the story does not resonate with additional meanings or suggested meanings. Actually, the reader has enough work to do in keeping up with the plot twists and the constant stream of unique UnLondon creatures that Deeba and the...