Steampunk
On Twitter, I was asked about steampunk — specifically, what is it? I’m copying this from an explanation I did a few weeks ago (because there’s really no one definition of steampunk, honestly. But this is the way I’m approaching it.)
Steampunk is essentially historical science fiction — and for steampunk, the advanced technology is usually steam-based technology (steam engines and locomotives, for example) but also with various other forms of tech: clockwork machines are common, steam- or clockwork-powered automata (these can be small, like a singing mechanical bird, or a giant robot).
Which probably sounds more confusing that it really needs to be. Basically, if you look at something like J.D. Robb’s In Death series (I’m just using it as an example because so many people are familiar with it), you can see how the technology and the cultural issues of today influence Robb’s vision of 50 years from now. Most of the technology is based on computers, but they are really GOOD computers. Everything runs on electricity or batteries. Mixed race and same-sex marriages are common. Food is primarily soy based.
Those are all speculative on the author’s part, but you can definitely see where the ideas are rooted in the reality of today’s world. It’s the same thing for steampunk, except that instead of rooting the reality in the year 2009, you go back 200 years, and speculate what the world might be like if the technology they had in the Regency had advanced in a different way than it did.
So you have a historical setting — in my books, that’s a world that resembles a late-Regency/Victorian era, but steampunk can be in any historical era — but there’s a twist. Something changed along the way, and both the culture and the technology are slightly different. I think anyone who reads historical romance will feel right at home, though, just as reading an In Death book is a step or two outside what we’re familiar with, but not TOO far.
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So, IMO, steampunk isn’t just the gadgets — it’s the technology and the effect that has had on the culture. Think about the impact the Industrial Revolution had on the western world … and now speed that up and multiply it. That’s where I’m going with mine (and also with some post-colonization issues, thanks to a technologically advanced culture that invaded all of Europe several hundred years before the books begin.)
ETA: If you’re wondering, “WHY steampunk?” and not just “WHAT IS steampunk?” I try to answer that here.
For a preview of my series and a look at steampunk in action, you can check out the excerpt for Here There Be Monsters, an Iron Seas companion novella.
Can you recommend a good title or two for someone who’s never read steampunk at all? Something that will give a great example of the genre and is well-written with a good story? Hook me up!
Thank you for the explanation. I’m excited to read your work. I don’t read historical books/romances, but I do love sci-fi. From what I understand, this won’t be space travel type sci-fi. I am thinking of the show Stargate SG-1. They would visit other worlds where the technology developed diferently than ours and I can imagine one of those worlds as your setting. Hmmm. Can’t wait!
So I’m curious. Does “real” Steampunk have to be set in the Victorian era? I’ve been wondering this for a bit actually. If you take all the gadgets and steam and such but set them on a different, yet still Earth-like, planet is it still Steampunk or have you crossed into Science Fiction?
Nice post!
Will link when I do a steampunk recs post next month, if that’s okay.
I adore them, but – how is it that dirigibles have come to be an icon of steam punk? Or is that just my impression?
so, if Queen Victoria was walking around talking on something like a cell phone, would that be steampunkish?
@Twimom227: I think that’s a good way of looking at it: it’s an alternate history, but can easily be seen as an alternate universe. The distinction isn’t a huge one. All that honestly matters to me is that readers feel comfortable in the universe — and that while different, it isn’t a huge HUGE leap to understand how the world works.
@StephS: Nope. For example, if you wanted a steampunk medieval, with a knight riding into battle on his steam-powered steed, that would work just as well.
If it’s a different planet, IMO it’s really science-fiction (just as Melville’s work is New Weird fantasy rather than steampunk). But if the elements are there, it’s an easy descriptive for the world. “Steampunk” conjures up a certain set of ideas — historical with alternate tech — and if the planet resembles that, why not use steampunk to describe it? Just as, say, you might use “gender-reversed Regency” to describe Dara Joy’s RITUAL OF PROOF. It’s NOT a Regency, but it’s nice to give readers a base of understanding about how that world works.
@Victoria Janssen: Feel free
@Maya M.: IMO, it’s because dirigibles really were a sign of the great technological advances people had made in the 19th century. They were huge, easily recognizable, actually utilized in war and for passenger transport, but then fell out of favor. Airplanes are very 20th century, and so when you are trying to establish a “look” for a world that resembles a Victorian one, anything beyond a dirigible seems out of place.
So when we look at Victorian technology, they really stand out and seem to symbolize the age itself. Plus, they just look awesome.
@katiebabs: IMO, no. Cell phones (and anything like them) utilize batteries and certain types of electrical tech that is very modern (and wireless) rather than Victorian. Sure, they HAD batteries of a sort in the Victorian age (Leyden jars show up in my work, too) and radio transmissions but (again, In My Opinion) Victoria on a cell phone might be alternate history, but it’s not a steampunk one.
Very helpful to have a better idea of what defines steampunk.
Gives new depth to some of the awesome steampunk artwork I’ve seen.
Some very cool steampunk visuals from BoyOfBow’s art weblog:
http://boyofbow.com/2009/09/26/onewhospinsflags/
http://boyofbow.com/all-things-steampunk/
Steam punk items (the mouse & laptop are especially cool):
http://www.oddee.com/item_96830.aspx
Sci-Fi/Steampunk dilemma? Star Wars imagined as steampunk (be sure to scroll down):
http://community.livejournal.com/steamfashion/2162083.html
@Lynn M: I have to admit that I haven’t read a lot of recent steampunk (I like to focus on my own worldbuilding until I get everything solid in my head), and there also isn’t a lot of steampunk romance (read: there isn’t any yet). THE DIFFERENCE ENGINE by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling is kind of the beginning of the contemporary version of the genre, though I didn’t love the story itself. China Mieville’s PERDIDO STREET STATION and THE SCAR are kinda-sorta steampunk, though in a fantasy world rather than a historical one. I love, love THE ANUBIS GATES by Tim Powers, and THE DIAMOND AGE by Neal Stephenson.
And every single one of these also demonstrates how widely steampunk can be interpreted, and some only have a couple of elements typically associated with steampunk.
More recent books that I’ve seen some great buzz on include: Dru Pagliosetti’s CLOCKWORK HEART, Cherie Priest’s BONESHAKER, and Gail Carriger’s SOULLESS (though I think this probably fits more into the gaslight romance definition, because of its focus on supernatural elements rather than the technological elements … but I don’t think that distinction is going to mean much to most romance readers, and the term “steampunk” will eventually come to mean (in the romance genre) any historical paranormal with alternate tech elements.)
@Soullumination: Hey, thanks for the links
The aesthetic steampunk movement is someone different than what you’ll find in steampunk books, but it does nicely represent the focus on tech and the outer workings being visible, where everything is a little gritty and hard, but gorgeous at the same time.
This is so timely. I just read Soulless, and still had no idea what steampunk was (but was afraid to ask and hadn’t gotten around to googling). Then as I clicked on your link and read the title out loud, my twelve y.o. son gave the definition too. So I am now being schooled by tweens. But nonetheless, good to know.
@Blythe: Oooh, how did you like SOULLESS?
I do think the ‘steampunk’ label itself is confusing for many readers — and maybe off-putting, as well. It conjures up a certain image, and so many readers probably (and understandably) expect … well, punk. When it’s not in the description, it’s kind of a head-scratching moment.
“Historical sci-fi with steam tech” isn’t as catchy, though
Meljean, are you currently writing this Steampunk novel and if yes when do you estimate it will be out? I KNOW you’ll excell in this too…
@Redmirchee: I am currently writing it (well, at night — during the day I’m working on the next Guardian book) and it should be out late 2010 or early 2011, I imagine.
It’s the inverse of retrofuturism
Now, isn’t it nice to have that cleared up?
@RfP: lol! I love that.
I have to admit, though, that the aesthetic of retrofuturism really doesn’t do it for me like steampunk does. Maybe because everything looks so clean? I’m not sure why. Probably more that it reminds me of Golden Age comics, which is my least favorite era (even if I love the superheroes who came out of it).
On the other hand, I did enjoy looking at Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. I disliked the story and most of the characters, but the action and the tech had its appealing side. Maybe it’s because that seemed more 30′s/40′s, and didn’t quite hit the 50s futuristic aesthetic that I actively dislike? Maybe because it had the dieselpunk feel, and was still historical rather than futuristic? Not sure.
Hmmm.
@meljean: I feel the same way: steampunk has both a concept and an aesthetic that I enjoy, while retrofuturism is a cool idea but often the ’50s-’70s aesthetic doesn’t appeal. I like earlier retrofuturism much better; e.g. I think the early Buck Rogers cinema shorts are a scream–so wrong they’re good. Perhaps because earlier retrofuturism is more quaint (and wrong) and less earnest? Or simply because I’m not a mid-century modern gal.
Speaking of steampunk aesthetics, did you see the NY Times steampunk fashion article and slideshow last year? I loved them; bunch o’ links here.
I <3 steampunk; it's also my DP's favorite genre, so we get a lot of it around the house. In fact, his WIP is a steampunk romance (I have to help with the romance part). If you like romance and want to read one in an excellent steampunk setting, I also recommend Dru Pagliassotti's THE CLOCKWORK HEART. I'm partway through Soulless, and so far I like the steampunk elements in the world. BONESHAKER is in my TBR pile, too.
Oh, and Meljean, THE DIAMOND AGE is by Neal Stephenson. Fabulous book.
@SonomaLass: “Oh, and Meljean, THE DIAMOND AGE is by Neal Stephenson. Fabulous book.”
Agh! I knew that. Thank you.