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in_omnia
in_omnia
16 March 2012 @ 07:42 pm
speculating like a cephalopod?
I think I'm coming to the conclusion that I don't really like steampunk. I'm in the middle of two steampunk series---Philip Reeve's Hungry City Chronicles and Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate---and as much as I enjoy the writing and like the characters and find the world-building clever and innovative, I don't feel much eagerness to see what happens next. I finish each book and move on to the next mostly because I feel I should...and because I *do* like the characters and the world. But when I compare that anemic reaction to the vivid hunger I feel when deep in an equally well-written and respectable romance novel, more traditional fantasy, classic, or philosophical sci-fi...well.

So what is it about steampunk that I find unengaging? Can't be the sense of rewritten history, as I love Patricia C. Wrede's and Caroline Stevermer's efforts along those lines. It might be the pseudo-Victorian elements---that's certainly not my favorite era---but I do enjoy classics and romance novels from that time period, and I adore those elements in Diana Wynne Jones' books. So, might it be the science?

I'm not a terribly scientific person, that's true, but I have an idle interest in biology and medicine and physics. So books that play around with probability engines or rely heavily on flora and fauna or dip into time travel or prophecy---those, I tend to find immediately fascinating. But steampunk seems full of dirigibles and excess clockwork and inefficient mechanisms or tools, and there are octopi everywhere---but only symbolically, which makes me sad, since real octopi would only liven things up---and the end result seems chilly and impersonal...so much clockwork with too little heart, even when the books make me laugh, even when I enjoy the characters.

Do any of you delight in steampunk? Is it just the visuals and the pip-pip-cheerio humor and reserve that you like? Or is there something I'm missing?
 
 
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[identity profile] janeite723.livejournal.com on March 17th, 2012 03:07 pm (UTC)
Funny thing...last year I read a lot of steampunk novels for a reading challenge I was doing. I love the concept of steampunk; I think it's a really creative smashup of different genres, and I love novels set in the 19th century, so I figured I would LOVE the steampunk genre. But most of the books ended up falling flat for me! I think one problem is that they rely too much on the gimmick. World-building is so important that other important things get neglected, like plot and character development.

I have read the entire Parasol Protectorate series, and I enjoy the fluff. But looking back, I'm not sure it's a "keeper" series for me. Soulless was my favorite book in the series, and I think that was pretty much because of the novelty (and maybe the heavier emphasis on the romance). I think that Carriger relies too much on the same schtick in later books: Lord Akeldama calls people ridiculous names, Ivy has a crazy hat, Alexia needs her tea and biscuits, Lord Maccon grunts a lot. Personally I was a bit tired of it all by the end.
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[identity profile] in-omnia.livejournal.com on March 17th, 2012 04:54 pm (UTC)
You're right: the characters in the Parasol Protectorate series don't really grow at all, do they? Their knowledge of their world grows, so there's always somewhere for the next book to go, but they, themselves, just do the same things over and over again. Philip Reeve's characters are a little more dynamic...but so far that's meant that I actually like them less now than I did at the beginning of the series. :)

I can certainly see how a lack of character development would limit my appreciation of the genre: the same sort of thing keeps me from enjoying a lot of mystery novels. I suspect I might still find the technological clutter of steampunk a little irritating---why so many levers when one would do? doesn't anyone grow any plants or keep beetles in a terrarium?---but the real test of the genre may have to wait until I find an example that balances the world building with character development.

Edited 2012-03-17 10:16 pm (UTC)
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[identity profile] ludzu-alus.livejournal.com on March 17th, 2012 08:40 pm (UTC)
I love steampunk. Love love love. I love dirigibles and the Victorian Era (especially when it's not set in England) and the mechanics and science. And the clothing. :)

I have read one steampunk book that is shelved in the romance section, but the world-building sucked and the characters made no sense. Can't even remember the name of it.

I don't know if you'll like them, as they are definitely not heavy on the romance, but try one of these two series before you give up on the genre entirely:

Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series. An alternative history of WW1, told from the two (teen) main characters' points of view. Trilogy.

Cherie Priest's Boneshaker series. An alternative Civil War history. Kinda. :) Set in Seattle. With zombies. She does zombies very well, but the focus is always on the living characters. I love her world-building. And the series only gets better. (I am a HUGE fan of Cherie Priest. I think everything she's written has been fabulous!)

OH! I went back through my GoodReads account and found two that might interest you more:

Viridis by Calista Taylor. This one may only be available as an ebook. Much with the sexy. Waiting on the 3rd one to be written! (Definitely for adults!!)

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross. First in a teen series. Strong female lead with a potentially dark talent that she must learn to control. Victorian England. Potential romance! Definitely there are the beginnings... must wait for next one!

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[identity profile] in-omnia.livejournal.com on March 18th, 2012 03:44 pm (UTC)
Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions. :) Of the ones you recommend, which do you think has the best character growth/development? I'd like to try steampunk with characters who actually grow and change and aren't just a vehicle for the world-building; I'm thinking maybe if I can find something in the characters to really compel me, the technological clutter and lack of the organic may not bother me so much.
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[identity profile] ludzu-alus.livejournal.com on March 19th, 2012 08:42 pm (UTC)
Cherie Priest's books, for sure.

Sorry it took so long to get back to you. I was out of town yesterday and couldn't remember my LJ password. Oops. :)
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[identity profile] in-omnia.livejournal.com on March 19th, 2012 09:45 pm (UTC)
No worries! I was across town over the weekend visiting family, so even though I had internet access, I was busy playing with my niece and nephews and chatting about all kinds of nonsense with my sisters and brother-in-law. Beyond that, I didn't get much accomplished. :) As for Cherie Priest's books, I'll definitely give them a try! Thanks, Lissa!
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[identity profile] mneme-metis.livejournal.com on April 8th, 2012 10:45 pm (UTC)
You know, I never really thought about it, but I kind of feel the same way. In theory I should love steampunk, and while I don't dislike it and do find it interesting, I'm not in love with it. The discussion as to why has been enlightening though. I think people are right that sometimes the world building gets in the way of the character building. But I've also only read a very small number of steampunk themed novels and the only ones I can remember right now are the couple Stephan Hunt books I read, though I don't remember the names. (I think the one was Court in the Air or something, but I have totally forgotten the second one I read.) Maybe I'll try reading some of the ones you mentioned and see if I don't change my mind as well.
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[identity profile] in-omnia.livejournal.com on April 9th, 2012 02:05 am (UTC)
Maybe we can undergo a steampunk course of study, where we sample various examples of the genre and compare notes. Though after reading so much steampunk lately, I think I might have to wait awhile before I'm ready to dive into the books again. Perhaps if I stuff my head with lots of romance and traditional fantasy and a bit of nonfiction (for roughage), I can come back to steampunk refreshed and with an open mind. :)
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