tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069343736818411279.post3291447904540481948..comments2024-03-17T23:41:39.161-06:00Comments on Steampunk Scholar: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne: Part II, Chapters 8-14Mike Perschonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09335943113292616702noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069343736818411279.post-73346900771483957552010-09-21T15:25:20.068-06:002010-09-21T15:25:20.068-06:00Oh, and thanks very much for the very kind words, ...Oh, and thanks very much for the very kind words, K.L. I'm glad to hear my recommendation to read 20KL (I was mistaken in making it 2KL initially - that would only be 2,000 Leagues Under the Sea!) has merited a favorable response. Let me know how those recommendations pan out for you.Mike Perschonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09335943113292616702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069343736818411279.post-71085855299065968532010-09-21T15:23:57.363-06:002010-09-21T15:23:57.363-06:00Hey K.L. Both "Perdido" and "Whitec...Hey K.L. Both "Perdido" and "Whitechapel Gods" are pretty gritty steampunk. Those worlds are definitely ugly and cruel, and are indicative of one end of the steampunk aesthetic. You're looking for something more fun and optimistic. I'd recommend any of the following: Kenneth Oppel's Airborn series, The Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger (starts with Soulless), The Adventures of Langdon St. Ives by James Blaylock, The Hunchback Assignments by Arthur Slade, The Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld, The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers.Mike Perschonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09335943113292616702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1069343736818411279.post-68852905115551377912010-09-21T15:10:30.860-06:002010-09-21T15:10:30.860-06:00I just wrote to Cory over at Voyages Extraordinair...I just wrote to Cory over at Voyages Extraordinaires for advice about steampunk; he suggested I also write to you. I read *about* steampunk before I actually read any books. I was drawn to the neo-Victorian aspects--exploration of new scenes and new ideas; how things worked, how the gears all fit together; the mix of the scientific and the fantastic. And I am intrigued by your idea that sp is an aesthetic applied to genres, rather than a genre (I've been having fun imaginining a 19th century sp Boston). I picked up Perdido Street Station and Whitechapel Gods--and find the books very well written, but about worlds that are ugly and cruel, like intense horror movies. Most reviews and critiques don't mention that aspect--am I the only one freaked out? Are there other books I could read? I neither want nor expect pretty, I understand that these books examine struggles for power, the consequences of science used for evil. Maybe I'm just in the wrong genre? I've been reading 2KL, the translation you recommend, and find it pretty terrific. Cory also suggests reading Vic/Edw "sp" originals, which is a great idea because I enjoy straight Victorian novels. What would you recommend? I look forward to reading your comments--your blog is a joy to read.K. L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/02672071989539626473noreply@blogger.com