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golems, and a newt on the throne
Jul. 22nd, 2009 05:26 amI recently finished reading the reprint anthology Steampunk, edited by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer. There were some hits, and there were some misses – according to my own personal tastes anyway. There should be enough to please people who lay their hand on that book. Among its many tales are...
Ted Chiang's "Seventy-two Letters" definitely is a hit. It was published in 2000 and I don't think it ever won a Hugo, but, if it had been nominated this year, I'd have voted for it. It’s set in a 19th Century where Science figured out the mechanics of the magic that animated the likes of the Golem. It is now on the verge of a breakthrough that will allow humanity to avert the genetic dead end that some are sure will happen in only a few generations.
Michael Chabon's "The Martian Agent" started as a hit then became a miss. The background is interesting. The American Revolution failed, and it's now 1876 and a family is on the run after a failed attempt by George Armstrong Custer at a Second Revolution. There are steam-powered tanks, and airships too, and the suggestion that space exploration is due to happen in a few decades, thus the story's title. Unfortunately, it's not much of a story - more like the condensed prologue of a novel. Chiang has been a rewarding experience every time I've read him, which has finally decided me to look for his story collections. Meanwhile, the first thing I've ever read by Chabon (no, I didn't read last year's Hugo-winning novel) leaves me feeling annoyed, which is better than feeling indifferent, I guess.
Paul di Filippo's "Victoria" also is a hit. It’s one of the tales that make up his 1997 book, The Steampunk Trilogy. I had heard about it, but had never read it. It’s out of print, but I won’t let it stop me from finding a copy, either at the upcoming worldcon or on Alibris. How could I not want to read the related tales? This one has a genetically engineered newt taking the place of young Queen Victoria while a scientist is looking for the missing Royal. And did I mention the uranium-powered locomotive that goes ka-boom?
Ted Chiang's "Seventy-two Letters" definitely is a hit. It was published in 2000 and I don't think it ever won a Hugo, but, if it had been nominated this year, I'd have voted for it. It’s set in a 19th Century where Science figured out the mechanics of the magic that animated the likes of the Golem. It is now on the verge of a breakthrough that will allow humanity to avert the genetic dead end that some are sure will happen in only a few generations.
Michael Chabon's "The Martian Agent" started as a hit then became a miss. The background is interesting. The American Revolution failed, and it's now 1876 and a family is on the run after a failed attempt by George Armstrong Custer at a Second Revolution. There are steam-powered tanks, and airships too, and the suggestion that space exploration is due to happen in a few decades, thus the story's title. Unfortunately, it's not much of a story - more like the condensed prologue of a novel. Chiang has been a rewarding experience every time I've read him, which has finally decided me to look for his story collections. Meanwhile, the first thing I've ever read by Chabon (no, I didn't read last year's Hugo-winning novel) leaves me feeling annoyed, which is better than feeling indifferent, I guess.
Paul di Filippo's "Victoria" also is a hit. It’s one of the tales that make up his 1997 book, The Steampunk Trilogy. I had heard about it, but had never read it. It’s out of print, but I won’t let it stop me from finding a copy, either at the upcoming worldcon or on Alibris. How could I not want to read the related tales? This one has a genetically engineered newt taking the place of young Queen Victoria while a scientist is looking for the missing Royal. And did I mention the uranium-powered locomotive that goes ka-boom?
