Steampunk!

[bookshop]

So, for months I have been wandering around thinking, self, you should really read more steampunk. I don't actually really know what steampunk is, or if I have in fact ever read it before. I was, like, halfway through Havemercy before I suddenly went, "oh, wait, hey, this is a mechanical dragon, this is steampunk, omg i'm reading steampunk!" so

Comments

[wikdsushi]

I feel like the last person in the world not on Twitter. Still not going near it, though. LJ is enough of a timesink, and I'm short on that particular resource at the best of times.

[lasultrix]

So pleased to meet you! I'm the last person in the world not on Facebook.

[bobrhyn]

I.. still do not care or use it, but I did get one last Monday to post about Star Trek. :| BUT I AM WITH YOU IN SPIRIT AND 99% PRACTICE.

[wikdsushi]

Oh, and Colleen really would read it. If you write it, make sure you query her on it.

[bookshop]

hahaha, the idea of me writing clique novels OR steampunk fiction is so hilarious, LET ALONE SOME AMAZING COMBINATION OF THE TWO. I could always try it, and then Zoe would have to get a twitter (ahaha look how many words I wrote about twitter, god the irony) because i'd be like I WOULD NEVER HAVE WRITTEN THIS BOOK WITHOUT IT.

Colleen is hilarious. HER REVIEW OF THE PRETENTIOUS WEEABOO BOOK. AMAZING.

[fahye]

If you are okay with self-promotion (which comes mixed in with a fair amount of promotion-of-others):

EYAIVERSE. Which is a casual writing project initiated by yours truly and added to by a couple of other amazing writers. It's about humans and humanoid AI in a future-London where Victoriana has cycled back into fashion. Identity and class politics, lazy musicians, revolutions and romance and poetry and the philosophy of creation!

And if you haven't read it, I highly recommend Philip Reeve's Larklight (and its two sequels, but the first book is the best) -- a YA steampunk novel presenting a universe in which Isaac Newton discovers the secret to space travel. It's narrated by an intrepid Victorian schoolboy, features tons of exciting aliens and adventures, and has the most hilariously charming illustrations of anything I've ever seen. See icon!

[bookshop]

omg thank you! lazy musician steampunk, what is there to say no to here!

ahhh, Larklight sounds fantastic. And even before I read your comment I was going to tell you I loved your icon and ask you what the art was from! Thank you! :D

[copinggoggles]

OH HEY, I am too slow. *just recced Larklight*

[fahye]

Sophieeeeee. My sister has the third book and I didn't read it when I was at home and now I am KICKING MYSELF.

[copinggoggles]

Brass Goggles is steamporn for the eyes. *___*

Rec-wise, although I have not yet managed to find the time to read the copy on my shelves, I have heard excellent things about China Mieville's Perdido Street Station. What I HAVE read though, is Larklight, which is what would happen if PotC had YA protagonists, was Victorian instead of Georgian, and IN SPACE. It is 100% delightful, and has amazing illustrations to boot. Also a sequel, which I have not yet read but am assured is just as delightful as the first. Along similar lines, the rather unfairly underrated Disney film Treasure Planet, and of course astolat's five-things fic that has steampunk Aubrey/Maturin also IN SPACE.

More as I think of them.

[copinggoggles]

Also YA-ly, there is Monster Blood Tattoo, which... tbh, I did not think was that great, but was worth the second-hand price just for the illustrations.

[copinggoggles]

OH, and there is Alan Moore's League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, but that kind of depends on whether you... are a fan of Alan Moore, and from your tweets I do not think you liked Watchmen? Of course, I love Alan Moore and League did not particularly grab me, but it is pretty widely praised. In essence: YMMV.

[bookshop]

Well, I haven't finished it yet, I am in this horrible holding pattern of NEEDING TO READ THE REST RIGHT NOW ARGH and not being able to because of my computer being under repair. Unless I stay late at work, but I'm trying to make myself not be that much of a dork, haha.

Um. league of extraordinary gentlemen I had never really thought of before as steampunk, but i don't know why not now. i haven't ever read it. I guess the Tomb Raider movie also could be thought of as steampunk to an extent. I loved Treasure Island and Atlantis when I saw them and they're both definitely steampunk, especially TI - and Mieville's Un Lun Dun has great steampunk parody moments, I think. I'M GOING TO GO SEE IF I CAN FIND LARKLIGHT.

[suaine]

Steampunk has never done it for me. I prefer my sf shiny and polished.

I also don't like Sherlock Holmes, so you shouldn't listen to me anyway.