Comments on: More steampunk, please!

By: Radioactive Jade

Radioactive Jade — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:31:10 +0000

Post-apocalyptic is usually defined as a setting in which civilization has been hit by a global catastrophic event, and the world as we know it has been wiped out. This is what I meant when I said there’s no mention of such a catastrophe in those books. Far as I can remember, the Scar was created by the Ghosthead Empire, and the Stain was created by the Torque (while the lands around it remained untouched). But like you said… It’s still pretty much about semantics. 🙂

By: Wm Morris

Wm Morris — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 01:16:06 +0000

It problems depends on how you define post-apocalyptic. I view the presence of the Cacotopic Stain and the Scar as evidences of apocalyptic scale changes to the world of Bas-Lag. Certainly there are vast wastelands and wild energies involved whether or not the history of the world includes some sort of apocalyptic event. But as you note, it’s more mood than plot in this case.

By: Radioactive Jade

Radioactive Jade — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:30:15 +0000

@Wm Morris – I would agree that it has a sort of post-apocalyptic _mood_, but I can’t remember anything in there about any sort of apocalypse, not even hints. It’s mentioned that Suroch was destroyed, but never anything concerning the past destruction of New Crobuzon. Or did I miss something?

By: Wm Morris

Wm Morris — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 01:37:07 +0000

There are very strong hints that the Bas-Lag books are set in a post-apocalyptic world. But your point about the steam-punkish elements not being quite so much the point as more proper steampunk novels is a good one.

By: Radioactive Jade

Radioactive Jade — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 23:53:42 +0000

@Wm Morris – I would not classify China Mieville as “post-apocalyptic steampunk” (I assume you’re talking about the Bas-Lag books). They’re steampunk-ish, because they have steam trains, dirigibles, etc., but that’s not their focus. Plus, the novels are set in a completely different world, and there’s absolutely nothing post-apocalyptic about it. “Dark urban fantasy” is how I’d classify it.

My steampunk recommendation is “The Boneshaker” by Cherie Priest: http://www.amazon.com/Boneshaker-Sci-Fi-Essential-Books/dp/0765318415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272152970&sr=1-1 Just finished it, and loved it… And the book itself is awesome, it’s printed in a sepia font, which really adds to the atmosphere.

By: RfP

RfP — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:18:50 +0000

Eugene, thanks for the trailer link. I’m not sure how I’d pictured it as a child, but I like the castle as a steampunk artifact.

By: Eva Gale

Eva Gale — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 02:15:48 +0000

Ohh, I wanted to get that movie and I forgot. Brilliant! It somehow reminds me of Pan’s Labyrinth? I don’t know why.

By: Eugene

Eugene — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 21:23:09 +0000

Re: Howl's Moving Castle. I'm thinking specifically of the Miyazaki interpretation. See the trailer here.

By: MoJo

MoJo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:21:59 +0000

Have you seen the steampunk stuff in Makezine? I fell in love with a freaky-looking computer mouse. The original site won’t load for me right now, but there’s a picture on my site.

Yes, I saw that. Beautiful work, really. Wish I had time to DO it or money to BUY it or space to STORE it.

By: RfP

RfP — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 23:18:15 +0000

I'd never thought of Howl's Moving Castle as steampunk. Of course I read it when I was a wee tyke, long before I learned the term. I'll have to reexamine some of my youthful reading. I suppose Baba Yaga's hut could be steampunk too with the right visual interpretation. Added: Have you seen the steampunk stuff in Makezine? I fell in love with a freaky-looking computer mouse. The original site won't load for me right now, but there's a picture on my site.