Science Fiction/Steampunk
Meeting Summary:
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood (Kathryn) ***
Steamed by Katie McAllister (Lisa) *
Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde (Lisa) ***
Flow my Tears the Policeman Said by Philip K. Dick (Linda) *
Dreadnought by Cherie Priest (Kerry) ** 1/2
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve (Antoinette) ***
Extraordinary Engines, Jevers, ed. (Barb) ***
Extraordinary Engines, Jevers, ed. (Wendy) **
The Difference Engine by William Gibson (Wendy) **
The Courtesan Prince by Lynda Willims (Pat) *
Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade (Rhian) ** 1/2
Count Zero by William Gibson (Ada) *
Starbound by Joe Haldeman (Julia) **
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore (Teresa) No stars
Leviathian by Scott Westerfield (Teresa) ***
A record turnout Friday night. Lots of discussion regarding all of us living together in a home for elderly librarians; however, this idea was kind of squelched by our inability to choose pizza that everyone approves of and disagreement over whether Steampunk is a worthwhile genre.
Susan defined Steampunk as a combination adventure/ fantasy/ science fiction/horror that often uses Victorian era technology; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is a prime example of the genre.
The next meeting is June 24 at Barb's and the topic is French Canadian literature. We decided to try reading just one title at a future meeting (just like a real book club). So bring a title you'd like everyone to read and discuss and we'll throw them all in a hat and pick one.
Labels: Science Fiction, Steampunk
posted by Kathryn at 8:15 PM
7 Comments:
"Extraordinary Engines" is an anthology of Steam Punk short stories. It is a good introduction to the genre. While I find the topic somewhat interesting I can't imagine reading a whole novel. I think the writers are well known it this field so fans of the genre would probably like it as well as those just trying to find out what Steam Punk is.
The author of the "Courtesan Prince" is a colleague so I decided to give it a try as a non-fan of science fiction. I know there are good sci fi books out there. Sadly, this isn't one of them.
"Count Zero" by William Gibson is the second volume in the Sprawl Trilogy. Unfortunately, due to the limited plot of a mercenary hired by a large corporation trying to obtain the microchip imbedded in the brain of a computer hacker Bobby known as Count Zero, and the many unknown characters and places that I was unfamiliar with, I did not enjoy the book. Well formed sentences on the page were read but did not sink in!!!
Leviathan was a good read- high adventure set during an alternate history of WWI. The Germans have their powerful ‘Clankers’ while the Brits or ‘Darwinists’ have engineered living creatures into their tools and ships. Also there's a girl posing as a boy, a prince fighting for his life, who obviously meet both with secrets to hide. What's not to like? Like reading a combination of Phillip Pullman and Avi. Quick paced, funny, an easy read but lots of adults would enjoy. p.s Saw Sybil at BCLA so invited her to June 24th meeting. Cheers.
"Shades of Grey", though not steampunk, is an excellent sci-fi read. It is set in a future time after our civilization has died. Now society is a colourocracy, with people's status determined by their ability to perceive certain colours. A dystopic future, but filled with entertaining characters and lots of humour. Best name ever: Bunty McMustard.
Wendy said:
The Difference Engine is classical steampunk set in Victorian England where the scientific "meritocracy" has taken over from the old aristocracy in running the government. Interesting but not gripping.
Set in a dysfunctional and very near future, The Year of the Flood tells the stories of Ren and Toby, members of God's Gardeners, a religious/environmental group, and survivors of a world plague known as "the waterless flood." Depressing, but engrossing read.
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