# Steampunk books *The Urth list — 20 messages, 12 voices, 13 May 2008* > Exported from an unofficial mirror of a public mailing list. Copyright > in each message remains with the person who wrote it. > Email addresses are obscured as `user at host`, the form the original > archive published. This file was rebuilt from parsed fields rather than > retained headers, so it is faithful in content but not byte-exact. --- ### Nicholas Gevers *13 May 2008, 06:37* In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of metaphysics. --Nick Gevers. --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *13 May 2008, 16:15 · in reply to Nicholas Gevers* For those who like steampunk, I'd recommend the first novel by ALan Campbell, "Scar Night." It reminds me more than a little of China Mieville without being excessively derivative. > On Mon, May 12, 2008 at 11:37 PM, Nicholas Gevers wrote: > In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint > anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, > I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming > out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. > All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey > Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay > Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, > Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. > > For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk > novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there > are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. > > Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian > Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of > metaphysics. > > --Nick Gevers. > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Sent from Yahoo! Mail. > A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > _______________________________________________ --- ### Kerry Benton *13 May 2008, 17:30 · in reply to Nicholas Gevers* I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk aficionado by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and unexpectedly twisting story. Quite cool. -k > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers wrote: > In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint > anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, > I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming > out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. > All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey > Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay > Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, > Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. > > For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk > novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there > are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. > > Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian > Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of > metaphysics. > > --Nick Gevers. > > > > __________________________________________________________ > Sent from Yahoo! Mail. > A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html > _______________________________________________ --- ### Chris Laybourn *13 May 2008, 18:02 · in reply to Kerry Benton* --- ### Kerry Benton *13 May 2008, 18:17 · in reply to Chris Laybourn* It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind. Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) -k > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn > wrote: > > Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on "steampunk?" >> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 >> From: k.benton at gmail.com >> To: urth at lists.urth.net >> CC: urth at urth.net >> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >> I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk aficionado >> by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and unexpectedly >> twisting story. Quite cool. >> >> -k >> >> >> >> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers >> wrote: >>> In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint >>> anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, >>> I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming >>> out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. >>> All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey >>> Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay >>> Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, >>> Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. >>> >>> For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk >>> novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there >>> are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. >>> >>> Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian >>> Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of >>> metaphysics. >>> >>> --Nick Gevers. >>> >>> >>> >>> __________________________________________________________ >>> Sent from Yahoo! Mail. >>> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html >>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Chris Laybourn *13 May 2008, 18:23 · in reply to Kerry Benton* --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *13 May 2008, 18:38 · in reply to Chris Laybourn* Yes, very much so. > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Chris Laybourn > wrote: > > So that disaster of a Will Smith film "Wild Wild West" had elements of > steampunk? Thanks >> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:24 -0400 >> From: k.benton at gmail.com >> To: urth at lists.urth.net >> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >> >> It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind. >> >> Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, >> clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal >> elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are >> firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons >> platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). >> >> That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) >> >> -k >> >> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn >> wrote: >>> Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on "steampunk?" >>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 >>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>> CC: urth at urth.net >>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>> I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk aficionado >>>> by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and unexpectedly >>>> twisting story. Quite cool. >>>> >>>> -k >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers >>>> >>>> wrote: >>>>> In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint >>>>> anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, >>>>> I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming >>>>> out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. >>>>> All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey >>>>> Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay >>>>> Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, >>>>> Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. >>>>> >>>>> For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk >>>>> novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there >>>>> are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. >>>>> >>>>> Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian >>>>> Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of >>>>> metaphysics. >>>>> >>>>> --Nick Gevers. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> __________________________________________________________ >>>>> Sent from Yahoo! Mail. >>>>> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html >>>>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Chris Laybourn *13 May 2008, 18:48 · in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes* So, apologies for the very newbie-esque question. I just finished Book of the New Sun. Found it very challenging but very rewarding by the end. Is "Urth of the New Sun" now required reading for me? --- ### Lane Haygood *13 May 2008, 19:08 · in reply to Chris Laybourn* I don't know if I'd say "required" but it is he only way to make sense of what went on in the first four books. Well, as much sense as anything ever makes. Lane > On May 13, 2008, at 1:48 PM, Chris Laybourn wrote: > So, apologies for the very newbie-esque question. I just finished > Book of the New Sun. Found it very challenging but very rewarding > by the end. Is "Urth of the New Sun" now required reading for me? > > Also - Is there a consensus on what Wolfe's best non-New Sun work is? >> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:38:33 -0700 >> From: danldo at gmail.com >> To: urth at lists.urth.net >> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >> >> Yes, very much so. >> >> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Chris Laybourn >> wrote: >>> So that disaster of a Will Smith film "Wild Wild West" had >>> elements of >>> steampunk? Thanks >>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:24 -0400 >>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>> >>>> It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my >>>> mind. >>>> >>>> Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, >>>> clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently >>>> societal >>>> elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that >>>> are >>>> firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons >>>> platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). >>>> >>>> That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) >>>> >>>> -k >>>> >>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn >>>> wrote: >>>>> Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on >>>>> "steampunk?" >>>>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 >>>>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>>>> CC: urth at urth.net >>>>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>>>> I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk >>>>>> aficionado >>>>>> by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and >>>>>> unexpectedly >>>>>> twisting story. Quite cool. >>>>>> >>>>>> -k >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers >>>>>> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint >>>>>>> anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, >>>>>>> I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming >>>>>>> out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. >>>>>>> All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey >>>>>>> Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay >>>>>>> Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, >>>>>>> Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk >>>>>>> novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there >>>>>>> are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian >>>>>>> Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of >>>>>>> metaphysics. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --Nick Gevers. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> __________________________________________________________ >>>>>>> Sent from Yahoo! Mail. >>>>>>> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Lane Haygood *13 May 2008, 19:22 · in reply to Chris Laybourn* I don't know if I'd say "required" but it is he only way to make sense of what went on in the first four books. Well, as much sense as anything ever makes. Lane > On May 13, 2008, at 1:48 PM, Chris Laybourn wrote: > So, apologies for the very newbie-esque question. I just finished > Book of the New Sun. Found it very challenging but very rewarding > by the end. Is "Urth of the New Sun" now required reading for me? > > Also - Is there a consensus on what Wolfe's best non-New Sun work is? >> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:38:33 -0700 >> From: danldo at gmail.com >> To: urth at lists.urth.net >> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >> >> Yes, very much so. >> >> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Chris Laybourn >> wrote: >>> So that disaster of a Will Smith film "Wild Wild West" had >>> elements of >>> steampunk? Thanks >>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:24 -0400 >>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>> >>>> It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my >>>> mind. >>>> >>>> Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, >>>> clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently >>>> societal >>>> elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that >>>> are >>>> firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons >>>> platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). >>>> >>>> That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) >>>> >>>> -k >>>> >>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn >>>> wrote: >>>>> Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on >>>>> "steampunk?" >>>>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 >>>>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>>>> CC: urth at urth.net >>>>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>>>> I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk >>>>>> aficionado >>>>>> by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and >>>>>> unexpectedly >>>>>> twisting story. Quite cool. >>>>>> >>>>>> -k >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers >>>>>> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint >>>>>>> anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, >>>>>>> I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming >>>>>>> out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. >>>>>>> All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey >>>>>>> Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay >>>>>>> Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, >>>>>>> Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk >>>>>>> novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there >>>>>>> are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian >>>>>>> Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of >>>>>>> metaphysics. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> --Nick Gevers. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> __________________________________________________________ >>>>>>> Sent from Yahoo! Mail. >>>>>>> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html >>>>>>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Jordan Dennis *13 May 2008, 19:56 · follows Lane Haygood* If I could point out some really decent steampunk materials. - I've always really enjoyed the short story "The Dog Said Bow-Wow" by Michael Swanwick. It's a fun far-future steampunk story. You can read it online at http://www.asimovs.com/Nebulas03/bowwow.shtml. - Karl Schroeder has a Victorianesque society in his book Sun of Suns. It's a very fun read. I have it as a legal, free download from the tor.com e-book giveaway. If anyone would like to read it, e-mail me and I'll forward the e-mail to you. - A recent steampunk adventure novel is Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters. It's a fun urban fantasy read. - I'm currently reading The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters by Gordon Dahlquist. It's really long and dense, but he has such a fun writing voice its hard to put down. Also, from the cinema side, I think The City of Lost Children is one of the better steampunk movies. Cheers! > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 3:08 PM, wrote: > Send Urth mailing list submissions to > urth at lists.urth.net > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > http://lists.urth.net/listinfo.cgi/urth-urth.net > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > urth-request at lists.urth.net > > You can reach the person managing the list at > urth-owner at lists.urth.net > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Urth digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Steampunk books (Chris Laybourn) > 2. Re: Steampunk books (Lane Haygood) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:48:27 -0700 > From: Chris Laybourn > Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books > To: The Urth Mailing List > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" > > > So, apologies for the very newbie-esque question. I just finished Book of > the New Sun. Found it very challenging but very rewarding by the end. Is > "Urth of the New Sun" now required reading for me? > > Also - Is there a consensus on what Wolfe's best non-New Sun work is? > > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:38:33 -0700> From: danldo at gmail.com> To: > urth at lists.urth.net> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books> > Yes, very much > so.> > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Chris Laybourn> < > laybournchris at hotmail.com> wrote:> >> > So that disaster of a Will Smith > film "Wild Wild West" had elements of> > steampunk? Thanks> >> > > Date: > Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:24 -0400> >> > > From: k.benton at gmail.com> > > To: > urth at lists.urth.net> >> > > Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books> > >> > > > It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind.> > >> > > > Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power,> > > > clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal> > > > elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are> > > > firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons> > > > platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy).> > >> > > That > 's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;)> > >> > > -k> > >> > > On Tue, May > 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn> > > > wrote:> > > >> > > > Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on > "steampunk?"> > > >> > > > > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400> > > > > > From: k.benton at gmail.com> > > > > To: urth at lists.urth.net> > > > > CC: > urth at urth.net> > > > > Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books> > > >> > > >> > I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk > aficionado> > > > > by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and > unexpectedly> > > > > twisting story. Quite cool.> > > > >> > > > > -k> > > > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas > Gevers> > > > > > wrote:> > > > > > In addition to > the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint> > > > > > anthology already mentioned in > the current discussion,> > > > > > I myself have an original steampunk > anthology coming> > > > > > out from S > olaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES.> > > > > > All new stories from > Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey> > > > > > Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. > MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay> > > > > > Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff > VanderMeer,> > > > > > Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove.> > > > > >> > > > > For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk> > > > > > novel > MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there> > > > > > are certainly > Wolfean echoes in the book.> > > > > >> > > > > > Another steampunk epic > worth reading is Brian> > > > > > Stableford's Werewolves of London > trilogy--lots of> > > > > > metaphysics.> > > > > >> > > > > > --Nick > Gevers.> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > >> > > > > > > __________________________________________________________> > > > > > Sent > from Yahoo! Mail.> > > > > > A Smarter Email > http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html> > > > > > > _______________________________________________> > > > > > Urth Mailing > List> > > > > > To post, write urth at ur > th.net> > > > > > Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net> > > > > > _______________________________________________> > > > > Urth > Mailing List> > > > > To post, write urth at urth.net> > > > > > Subscription/information: http://www.urth.net> > > >> > > > > ________________________________> > > > Windows Live SkyDrive lets you share > files with faraway friends. Start> > > > sharing.> > > > > _______________________________________________> > > > Urth Mailing List> > > To post, write urth at urth.net> > > > Subscription/information: > http://www.urth.net> > > >> > > > _______________________________________________> > > Urth Mailing List> > > > To post, write urth at urth.net> > > Subscription/information: > http://www.urth.net> >> > ________________________________> > Windows Live > SkyDrive lets you share files with faraway friends. Start> > sharing.> > > _______________________________________________> > Urth Mailing List> > To > post, write urth at urth.net> > Subscription/information: h > ttp://www.urth.net> >> > > > -- > Dan'l Danehy-Oakes, writer, trainer, > bon vivant> -----> http://www.livejournal.com/users/sturgeonslawyer> > http://www.danehyoakes.com> > I once absend-mindedly ordered Three Mile > Island dressing in a> restaurant and, with great presence of mind, they > brought Thousand> Island Dressing and a bottle of chili sauce. -- T. > Pratchett> _______________________________________________> Urth Mailing > List> To post, write urth at urth.net> Subscription/information: > http://www.urth.net > _________________________________________________________________ > With Windows Live for mobile, your contacts travel with you. > > http://www.windowslive.com/mobile/overview.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_Refresh_mobile_052008 > -------------- next part -------------- > An HTML attachment was scrubbed... > URL: < > http://lists.urth.net/pipermail/urth-urth.net/attachments/20080513/1c54a6e8/attachment-0001.htm > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:08:51 -0500 > From: Lane Haygood > Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books > To: The Urth Mailing List > Message-ID: > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; Format="flowed"; > DelSp="yes" > > I don't know if I'd say "required" but it is he only way to make sense > of what went on in the first four books. Well, as much sense as > anything ever makes. > > Lane > > On May 13, 2008, at 1:48 PM, Chris Laybourn wrote: >> So, apologies for the very newbie-esque question. I just finished >> Book of the New Sun. Found it very challenging but very rewarding >> by the end. Is "Urth of the New Sun" now required reading for me? >> >> Also - Is there a consensus on what Wolfe's best non-New Sun work is? >>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 11:38:33 -0700 >>> From: danldo at gmail.com >>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>> >>> Yes, very much so. >>> >>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM, Chris Laybourn >>> wrote: >>>> So that disaster of a Will Smith film "Wild Wild West" had >>>> elements of >>>> steampunk? Thanks >>>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 14:17:24 -0400 >>>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>>> >>>>> It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my >>>>> mind. >>>>> >>>>> Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, >>>>> clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently >>>>> societal >>>>> elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that >>>>> are >>>>> firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons >>>>> platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). >>>>> >>>>> That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) >>>>> >>>>> -k >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn >>>>> wrote: >>>>>> Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on >>>>>> "steampunk?" >>>>>>> Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 >>>>>>> From: k.benton at gmail.com >>>>>>> To: urth at lists.urth.net >>>>>>> CC: urth at urth.net >>>>>>> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books >>>>>>> I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk >>>>>>> aficionado >>>>>>> by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and >>>>>>> unexpectedly >>>>>>> twisting story. Quite cool. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -k >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers >>>>>>> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint >>>>>>>> anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, >>>>>>>> I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming >>>>>>>> out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. >>>>>>>> All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey >>>>>>>> Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay >>>>>>>> Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, >>>>>>>> Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk >>>>>>>> novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there >>>>>>>> are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian >>>>>>>> Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of >>>>>>>> metaphysics. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> --Nick Gevers. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> __________________________________________________________ >>>>>>>> Sent from Yahoo! Mail. >>>>>>>> A Smarter Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html >>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ --- ### Andy Robertson *13 May 2008, 20:11 · in reply to Jordan Dennis* Jordan Dennis writes: > If I could point out some really decent steampunk materials. If we're branching out . . . Currently reading the Eric Corbeyran & Marc Moreno opus **Le R?gulateur**, which is bandes dessinnee Steampunk and the best thing I've seen in a month of moons. The archtecture!! The machines!! The sexy assassin-ladies in leather and suspenders!! Not much linkage to Wolfe, though. - hartshorn http://www.thenightland.co.uk 01273-488272 / 0777-214-9545 --- ### Matthew Knight *13 May 2008, 20:51 · in reply to Andy Robertson* Adding to the "steampunk" roll: Has anyone given Sean McMullen's "Greatwinter Trilogy" a try? I really enjoyed the first and second books (Souls in the Great Machine and The Miocene Arrow). It's an Australio-centric look at a neo-feudal society 1500 years in the future. Some wildly inventive ideas along with some horribly frustrating characters and ridiculous circumstances, but a good deal of swashbuckling action. Unfortunately, the trilogy doesn't end so well... I also enjoyed "The Music of Razors" by...Cameron Rogers? It struck me strongly as the kind of book that would appeal to Wolfe fans (lots of arcane references and barely-alluded-to events that require some deduction), although it reminds me also of some of Gaiman's work. --- ### James Crossley *14 May 2008, 03:58 · in reply to Kerry Benton* To be pedantic for a moment, that's not the whole story. True steampunk isn't just an extrapolation of Victorian-era science, but has to include an element of technology-induced anxiety. In other words, steampunk, like cyberpunk, from which it gets its name, shows the discomforts of rapid advancements in technology, and its mood is usually dystopic. If a story features atomic zeppelins or steam-powered robots without attendant tension, it's something else. Suggested terms include "gaslight romance" and "retrofuturism." James > On 5/13/08 11:17 AM, "Kerry Benton" wrote: > It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind. > > Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, > clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal > elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are > firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons > platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). > > That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) > > -k --- ### Steven Hall *14 May 2008, 13:18 · in reply to James Crossley* To add to this, science fiction is well understood to be about the present in which it was written, not the future. Steampunk, then, is a combination of alternate history and science fiction. It is what we imagine the science fiction of the Victoria era might have been. Or to put it another way: in the present, we go back to the past to re-imagine the future. Steve > James Crossley wrote: > To be pedantic for a moment, that's not the whole story. True steampunk > isn't just an extrapolation of Victorian-era science, but has to include an > element of technology-induced anxiety. In other words, steampunk, like > cyberpunk, from which it gets its name, shows the discomforts of rapid > advancements in technology, and its mood is usually dystopic. > > If a story features atomic zeppelins or steam-powered robots without > attendant tension, it's something else. Suggested terms include "gaslight > romance" and "retrofuturism." > > James > > On 5/13/08 11:17 AM, "Kerry Benton" wrote: >> It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind. >> >> Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, >> clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal >> elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are >> firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons >> platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). >> >> That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) >> >> -k > _______________________________________________ --- ### Recursive Loop *14 May 2008, 13:44 · in reply to Nicholas Gevers* Greetings: Lots of steampunky good stuff out there. Here's a recent discovery. Warning! Vast cosmic timesink ahead!!! Fred Kiesche --- ### Dan'l Danehy-Oakes *14 May 2008, 16:06 · in reply to Steven Hall* > On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:18 AM, Steven Hall wrote: > To add to this, science fiction is well understood to be about the present > in which it was written, not the future. I quibble: this is only true for some values of the words "about," "science fiction," and even "is." I.e., there is no doubt that in some important sense _The Space Merchants_ "is about" the advertising/marketing industry of the 1950s. But there is another sense in which one can meaningfully say it is about a future extrapolated from that time. I would take a much more nuanced approach and say: Science fiction of any ambition comments deliberately on the world of the present in which it is written, by setting up a contrafactual world in dialogue with that world. Science fiction lacking in ambition comments inadvertently on the world of the present in which it is written, by setting up a world that, failing to differentiate significantly from that world, depicts its commonplaces as if they were inevitable. > Steampunk, then, is a combination of alternate history and science fiction. > It is what we imagine the science fiction of the Victoria era might have > been. Put the word "some" before that sentence and I will have far less trouble with it. But, some of the best steampunk (I think for example of Alan Moore's _League of Extraordinary Gentlemen_ -- not to be confused with the grossly inferior movie based very loosely upon it) can meet that description only by an inversion, because it uses our current view backwards of the Victorian era in an ironic pose that would literally not be possible to one living in that era. (Not that irony would not be possible to a Victorian, you understand; only that this particular form of irony, based on a historical view of Victoriana, would not be possible without that perspective.) Of course, "the science fiction of the Victorian era" existed, in the work of Verne and others; it merely did not yet have a name, or an ironic view. That was introduced very specifically by Wells, whose early SF was very much "about" the world in which he wrote it (e.g., _The War of the Worlds_ as commentary on colonialism, or _The Island of Doctor Moreau_ as commentary on "vivisection"). > Or to put it another way: in the present, we go back to the past to > re-imagine the future. Rather: in the present, we go back to an imagined (and usually explicitly fictional) past to imagine its possible futures. ``` Dan'l Danehy-Oakes, writer, trainer, bon vivant ----- http://www.livejournal.com/users/sturgeonslawyer http://www.danehyoakes.com I once absend-mindedly ordered Three Mile Island dressing in a restaurant and, with great presence of mind, they brought Thousand Island Dressing and a bottle of chili sauce. -- T. Pratchett ``` --- ### Steven Hall *15 May 2008, 02:44 · in reply to Dan'l Danehy-Oakes* Dan'l - To paraphrase Stephen Colbert: "Thanks for agreeing with me, and I accept your apology." Actually, I agree with everything that you wrote to clarify and provide nuance for my statement about steampunk. (Well, everything except about _The Space Merchants_, that is; not that I disagree with you, but I am just not familiar with it enough to know that it is about the advertising/marketing industry of the 1950s. So it would be improper for me to claim to agree with that.) When I said that science fiction was about the present, I did not mean to imply that literally. Rather, I was just hoping to dash off some quick thoughts about steampunk and science fiction without taking the conversation even farther off topic than it already was. What I meant is that any evaluation of a work of science fiction usually reveals more about the time in which it was written than the future (or past, as the case may be) in which it is set. I'm pretty sure you would agree with this, as your post lists three examples in support of this. Thanks, Steve > Dan'l Danehy-Oakes wrote: > On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:18 AM, Steven Hall wrote: >> To add to this, science fiction is well understood to be about the present >> in which it was written, not the future. > I quibble: this is only true for some values of the words "about," "science > fiction," and even "is." > > I.e., there is no doubt that in some important sense _The Space Merchants_ > "is about" the advertising/marketing industry of the 1950s. But there is > another sense in which one can meaningfully say it is about a future > extrapolated from that time. > > I would take a much more nuanced approach and say: > > Science fiction of any ambition comments deliberately on the world of > the present in which it is written, by setting up a contrafactual world > in dialogue with that world. > > Science fiction lacking in ambition comments inadvertently on the world > of the present in which it is written, by setting up a world that, failing > to differentiate significantly from that world, depicts its commonplaces > as if they were inevitable. >> Steampunk, then, is a combination of alternate history and science fiction. >> It is what we imagine the science fiction of the Victoria era might have >> been. > Put the word "some" before that sentence and I will have far less > trouble with it. But, some of the best steampunk (I think for example of > Alan Moore's _League of Extraordinary Gentlemen_ -- not to be > confused with the grossly inferior movie based very loosely upon it) > can meet that description only by an inversion, because it uses our > current view backwards of the Victorian era in an ironic pose that would > literally not be possible to one living in that era. (Not that irony would not > be possible to a Victorian, you understand; only that this particular form > of irony, based on a historical view of Victoriana, would not be possible > without that perspective.) > > Of course, "the science fiction of the Victorian era" existed, in the work > of Verne and others; it merely did not yet have a name, or an ironic > view. That was introduced very specifically by Wells, whose early > SF was very much "about" the world in which he wrote it (e.g., _The > War of the Worlds_ as commentary on colonialism, or _The Island of > Doctor Moreau_ as commentary on "vivisection"). >> Or to put it another way: in the present, we go back to the past to >> re-imagine the future. > Rather: in the present, we go back to an imagined (and usually > explicitly fictional) past to imagine its possible futures. ``` Steven Hall sghall at comcast.net Help me fight cancer at the East Nashville Relay for Life! http://main.acsevents.org/goto/StevenHall http://main.acsevents.org/goto/LSNA ``` --- ### Steven *16 May 2008, 02:33 · in reply to Chris Laybourn* IMO -- Peace. And, of course, nearly all of the stories. > On May 13, 2008, at 2:48 PM, Chris Laybourn wrote: > Also - Is there a consensus on what Wolfe's best non-New Sun work is? Steven --- ### Fred Kiesche *17 Jun 2008, 02:07 · in reply to Kerry Benton* The first written "steampunk" I came across was "The Difference Engine" by Gibson and Sterling. Around the same time, I was running a SF-RPG called "Space: 1889". Mars had canals, heck there were "men" IN the Moon, various nations were trying to conquer space... There's even a "steampunk comic": http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/ I'm in love with Agatha! F.P. Kiesche III "When you send a man out with a gun, you create a policymaker. When his ass is on the line, he will do whatever he needs to do...And if the implications of that bothers you, the time to do something about it is before you decide to send him out." (David Drake, Caught in the Crossfire) Blogging at TexasBestGrok! --- On Tue, 5/13/08, Kerry Benton <k.benton at gmail.com> wrote: From: Kerry Benton <k.benton at gmail.com> Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books To: "The Urth Mailing List" <urth at lists.urth.net> Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 2:17 PM It's basically a sort of homage to Jules Verne, et al in my mind. Steampunk fiction tends to anachronisms featuring steam power, clockwork, and other Victorian-era technology (and frequently societal elements) providing the impetus for machines and devices that are firmly in the realm of science fiction (giant walking weapons platforms, for example, as in the anime Steamboy). That's my quick 2 cent synopsis, anyway ;) -k On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:02 PM, Chris Laybourn <laybournchris at hotmail.com> wrote: > > Sorry, I'm a little new. Can someone fill me in on "steampunk?" > > > Date: Tue, 13 May 2008 13:30:24 -0400 > > From: k.benton at gmail.com > > To: urth at lists.urth.net > > CC: urth at urth.net > > Subject: Re: (urth) Steampunk books > > > > > > I'll second the rec. for MAINSPRING. I'm not a steampunk aficionado > > by any stretch, but I quite enjoyed Lake's style and unexpectedly > > twisting story. Quite cool. > > > > -k > > > > > > > > On Tue, May 13, 2008 at 2:37 AM, Nicholas Gevers <vermoulian at yahoo.com> > wrote: > > > In addition to the VanderMeer Steampunk reprint > > > anthology already mentioned in the current discussion, > > > I myself have an original steampunk anthology coming > > > out from Solaris in October: EXTRAORDINARY ENGINES. > > > All new stories from Kage Baker, Keith Brooke, Jeffrey > > > Ford, James Morrow, Ian R. MacLeod, Robert Reed, Jay > > > Lake, Adam Roberts, Marly Youmans, Jeff VanderMeer, > > > Margo Lanagan, and James Lovegrove. > > > > > > For Wolfe fans, I'd recommend Jay Lake's steampunk > > > novel MAINSPRING--he's a big Wolfe admirer, and there > > > are certainly Wolfean echoes in the book. > > > > > > Another steampunk epic worth reading is Brian > > > Stableford's Werewolves of London trilogy--lots of > > > metaphysics. > > > > > > --Nick Gevers. > > > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________________ > > > Sent from Yahoo! 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