Steampunk in one of today’s growing trends in YA literature but many people still have no idea what steampunk means, let alone if they’ll
like reading it. The clearest and most concise definition I could find
online says steampunk is “genre
fiction typically set in Britain in the 1900′s when steam power was prevalent
and prior to the broad use of electricity. The location can be anywhere,
however, including North America. Steampunk usually encompasses alternate
history elements and fantastical inventions. They are often heavily geared
toward science fiction and fantasy. Steampunk comprises romances and
non-romances.” Even that definition can lead to some head scratching, though.
What does it really mean?
Steampunk is alternate history. Steampunk is awesome gadgetry. Steampunk is
corsets, cravats, top hats, goggles, and parasols. Steampunk is a variety of
little elements that add up to a very unique reading experience. So, how to
do you figure out if you might be a steampunk lover? Here are some questions you could ask to
find out:
- Are you a fan of historical settings?
- Do you love when characters use cool gadgets?
- Are you fascinated by clothing from different eras?
- Do you find yourself dropping slang you’ve read into regular conversations?
If you answered yes to even
one of these questions, you may find that you love steampunk. The next thing you
have to figure out is where to start. Even though all steampunk books have core
elements that make them fit the subgenre, there are elements that make each have
an individual feel. You could definitely start with an anthology of stories like
Steampunk, edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer, or
Steampunk!,
edited by Kelly Link and Gavin J. grant. If only one of the above elements
strongly appeals to you, though, you may want to start with a title that fits
that element more closely.
For example, historical fiction
fans may want to start with Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan trilogy which is an alternate history of World War I. Another classical alternate
history is William Gibson and Bruce Sterling’s The Difference Engine,
in which Ninteenth Century London is experiencing both the Industrial Revolution
and the start of the computer age. These books celebrate both details from our
past and the possibilities of what could have been if the world had evolved in
different directions.
Fans of gadgetry might be more interested in books like Kady Cross’s The
Girl in the Steel Corset, which features some really cool steam-powered
bicycles and automatons. Arthur Slade’s The Hunchback Assignments
series centers around a hunchback named Modo who happens to be able to shape-shift, but
is surrounded by secret agents and villains that utilize the most amazing
inventions. These books have the historical version of James Bond’s spy
gadgets!
Fashion fans can rejoice in the
world of corsets and cravats. Some authors go out of their way to revel in the
historical details of the time period, especially in the fashions. Gail Carriger
is a perfect example. Her Parasol Protectorate seriesfeatures a heroine who will not leave the house without a parasol, a best friend
with the most odious taste in hats, and a Lordly vampire who exemplifies men’s
avant garde fashion in Victorian London.
If you find yourself picking up on Georgia Nicholson’s terminology or
speaking with a British accent after watching
Bridget Jones’ Diary, you
may be more into steampunk for the intriguing slang you can incorporate into
your everyday vernacular. Philip Reeve’s
Larklight series will leave
you with a resounding “Huzzah!” Not only is the family heartily British, but
their travels through space allow them to combine traditional Victorian slang
with imagined space terminology–a wordsmith’s delight.
So whatever the aspect of steampunk that may appeal to you, there is a
matching book out there. Watch out, though! Once you’ve delved into your first
steampunk novel, you may find that you cannot resist diving back into this
complex and imaginative world. The language, the history, the style and the
characters will be calling…
