Thursday, December 16, 2010

Old Skewl: History


steampunk
history lesson


Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Specifically, steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc.
-per wikipedia


Here's a list of most noted steampunk fiction of the past for you to sample...
please note: this only covers notables before y2k and is not a complete list

Influencers:

Bleak House
by Charles Dickens


The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle


Frankenstein
by Mary Shelley


The Time Machine
by H.G. Wells


The Extraordinary Journeys:
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
by Jules Verne


Founders:

Queen Victoria's Bomb
by Ronald W. Clark (1967)


Warlord of the Air
by Michael Moorcock (1971)


Morlock Night
by K. W. Jeter (1979)


Homunculus
by James Blaylock (1986)


The Difference Engine
by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (1990)


Anno Dracula
by Kim Newman (1992)


Anti-Ice
by Stephen Baxter (1993)


Steampunk Trilogy
by Paul Di Filippo (1995)
-the first use of the word, steampunk, in a title


~*~

Why not add some of these classics to your reading list and join in the Full Steampunk Ahead Challenge 2011, hosted by Book Soulmates (signup and details)

Read at least 10 Steampunk books this year.

HEY, join me!

I'm using the above as my reading list.

participant links:
jan - feb
host ended this in February


~*~

* image source

* y2k and beyond book list will be presented in the next steampunk event next year

* thanks to Freda for the heads up on the steampunk challenge!

::=== Old Skewl Steampunk schedule ===::


 
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