I really like the rivers of London series and one of the reasons is that the city is such a big part of the story (as implied by the title of the series). I'm looking for more of those types of books, so a fiction book (series), preferably urban fantasy, that is set in a city with lots of recognizable spots, but also characteristic customs, slang and food. I prefer London or maybe Amsterdam, but open to other cool places. I'm not looking for YA, non-fiction or historical fiction.
by Oud-west
26 Comments
*Tomorrow’s Children* by Daniel Polansky. It’s New York, but don’t hold it against them.
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
It is a coming of age story of fourteen-year old Nathaniel (the narrator of this story, looking back….) and his older sister Rachel, in post-war England. Their parents have disappeared from their lives and they are surrounded by a colorful set of characters who seem there to protect them.
*Perdido Street Station* by China Mieville
it’s crime fiction but ed mcbain’s 87th precint fits otherwise. isola is based on new york (he pretty much rotated the map by 90 degrees), so lots of landmarks and stuff will be familiar.
Maybe Kraken by China Mieville would be what you’re looking for. It’s an urban fantasy novel set in London with some pretty cool characters and villains.
The City and The City by Mieville might also be up your street. It’s a crime thriller with fantasy and sci-fi elements set in two fictional cities. Both cities are incredibly well detailed, constructed and important to the story, it’s such a cool concept.
I found Kraken to be a decently solid book that felt overlong and oddly written at points. However I absolutely loved The City and The City.
The bastard of Istanbul
Mother London by Micheal Moorcock!
I feel like **Desperation** by Stephen King fits this description.
Ankh Morpork in the Discworld novels.
The City We Became by NK Jemisen
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman,
The City We Became by NK Jemisin,
Singular Multiplicity by K. C. Grey is probably exactly what you want.
‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen king
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Shadow of the Wind – Barcelona
The city and the city by mieville
I see it’s already been suggested
(Also some people say New York City is a character in sex & the city (cbb /s)
Motherless Brooklyn
Jonathan Lethem’s two big New York novels, *Motherless Brooklyn* and *Fortress of Solitude*. Brooklyn is practically the main character in both.
Edward P Jones’ *Lost in the City* is a collection of short stories that really about Washington, DC in the 50s and 60s. Reads well as a companion to Joyce’s *Dubliners*.
Michael Chabon, *Wonderboys*, really captures Pittsburgh well.
Mother London by Moorcock is one of my favourite books
Jerusalem by Alan Moore.
Foundryside!
City of Thieves
19th century NYC in The Alienist by Caleb Carr.
Midnight in the garden of good and evil. Savannah ga was like a character in the book. I didn’t like the movie though
The City and the City, by China Mieville