Comments on: Steampunk

By: Meljean

Meljean — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:06:43 +0000

@SonomaLass: "Oh, and Meljean, THE DIAMOND AGE is by Neal Stephenson. Fabulous book." Agh! I knew that. Thank you.

By: SonomaLass

SonomaLass — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:22:44 +0000

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.

By: RfP

RfP — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 03:47:34 +0000

@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.

By: meljean

meljean — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 06:28:35 +0000

@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.

By: RfP

RfP — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:35:55 +0000

It’s the inverse of retrofuturism

Now, isn’t it nice to have that cleared up?

By: meljean

meljean — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:03:46 +0000

@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.

By: Redmirchee

Redmirchee — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:52:27 +0000

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…

By: meljean

meljean — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:41:26 +0000

@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

By: Blythe

Blythe — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:10:12 +0000

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.

By: meljean

meljean — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:42:50 +0000

@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.