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Let’s go on an adventure and explore the world of Steampunk.
My Enlightenment
I came to Steampunk late. I’ve enjoyed it since I was a kid. Of course back then, there really wasn’t Steampunk. What I liked was pre-Steampunk books and films. As an adult, I decided this type of fiction could be described as Jules Verne meets H.G. Wells and they have tea with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who happens to be wearing goggles. A few years ago, I discovered this dark, humorous, bizarre genre had a name: Steampunk.
Let’s break it down:
- “Steam” because the stories are primarily set in Victorian and Edwardian eras when stream and the industrial revolution changed the world.
- “Punk” because it rebels against earlier writings that glorified the Victorian period while ignoring colonialism, child labor, women’s rights, and the uglier side of the industrial revolution.
- In the “new” world, Steampunk also takes some punches at America’s concept of manifest destiny, reflected in pulp-fiction Edisonade books like The Steam Man of the Prairies.
Interesting tidbit: this movement in literature started with Americans writing about Victorian London. I know . . . weird.
Here are some of the things that make Steampunk fun:
- Handcrafted steam and clockwork inventions and gadgets: anything from automatons to small bronze bugs that can fly and spy or even kill someone.
- Rayguns: blast guns, death rays, etc. You know, those fictional guns that shoot directed-energy.
- Airships and other cool inventions, like submarines that look like giant fish.
- Stunning period clothes: top hats, googles, overcoats, flowing dresses, decked out with gadgets of all sorts.
The Beginning
In a letter to Locus Literary Magazine (1979), K.W. Jeter, science fiction author, coined the term Steampunk to describe the books he, James Blylock, and Tim Powers wrote. Here’s a excerpt: “Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective for Powers, Blaylock and myself. Something based on the appropriate technology of that era; like ‘steampunks,’…” If interested in seeing a copy of the letter, click here.
As a kid, I loved the pre-Steampunk TV series The Wild, Wild West. My brother was my geeky compatriot in watching this sometimes silly, often politically incorrect, but always entertaining program about two secret agents serving President Grant–19th century James Bond. They had a train with more gadgets than were realistically possible. My brother and I often laughed and delighted in the crazy weapons and other gizmos these 1890’s heroes had. They traveled through the Wild West like knights of old slaying metaphoric dragons and wiping out evil. We were in kid heaven.
At the turn of the 21 century, my brother, a huge comic book fan, introduced me to The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. The 2003 film was disappointing. I’m never certain why Hollywood takes a powerful story and turns it into milk-toast or pablum. Which leads me to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy: The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass. Unfortunately, The Golden Compass movie was another huge disappointment.
With Pullman books, I discovered the power of Steampunk. His trilogy was far more than fun and adventure. Amid the trappings of an alternate Victorian England, he tells an engaging story while addressing important contemporary issues as well as the sometimes ugly, horrifying side of life. The setting is perfect as the Victorian era in many ways mirrors late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Cyberman Photo
Do you like the photo at the top of the post? I love it. I wanted to point out “Cyberman” was taken by Nick Walch. His website has some great pictures of the Whitby Goth Weekend and lots of Steampunk costumes to admire. Click here to visit his website.
That’s Not All Folks!
When I started writing this post, I realized I couldn’t cover everything I wanted to discuss in one blog post. So, there will be more. Stay tuned for more Steampunk posts. You also might enjoy these posts:
The Steampunk Bible: 3 Excellent Reasons to Read It.
Steampunk: The Art of Victorian Futurism–An Amazing Book!
Infernal Devices: Monty Python Meets the Pink Panther in Victorian England
The Usual Reminders
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