So-so Steampunk

A Conspiracy of Alchemists by Liesel Schwarz; page count 338

This is the first steampunk novel I’ve read. I read some short stories and seen a few movies, but this is my first actual novel. Admittedly, I am not entirely sure if a steampunk work fits within the scope of our usual historical fiction blog here. I take the chance because surely there will be some overlap of readers, and it is a new book released this March.

This is the first in a series, Chronicles of Light and Shadow, with two more guaranteed to follow and talks of more to come. The book follows the plight of dirigible pilot Eleanor “Elle” Chance. Chance is asked to hold and ship a box from Paris back to London. However, shortly after taking the box she is beset and dangerous, world-changing events are set in motion. Almost immediately we meet a fairy (whose narration is jarringly in first person unlike the rest of the book) and the love interest, handsome and mysterious Mr. Marsh.

The story moved at a good clip, and there was enough intrigue to keep me reading. However, I’m fairly certain this will be my only foray into the series. I found Eleanor Chance to be lacking as a heroine. She seems contrived. There are too many inconsistencies in her character that could have been easily hammered out. For example, she wears jodhpurs and flies to Paris by herself, but blushes at the slightest look from Marsh and was only brought to flying by a man, despite being surrounded by machines and brought up by her father. *SPOILER ALERT* I also am not fond of how Schwarz handles Chance’s powers. Surely, even an untrained oracle should have some premonitions or gut feelings that are accurate. *SPOILER OVER* Honestly, a couple of tweaks by a slightly better writer could have solved most of my issues with her character and the book in general

Even though Schwarz has not converted me to one of her followers, she did succeed in making me more curious about other steampunk writing. I generally like the steam aesthetic anyway, and now I may pick up another steampunk novel if I happen across one.

If you are a devoted steampunker (I’m sure there’s a word for that I am not aware of) then you should probably give this book a try. It’s certainly being pushed by the publisher, and may go a long way to convince The Man that steampunk is worth the investment. Otherwise, I’d be fairly hesitant to recommend this title.

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Bunburying. It’s Wilde.

I read The Importance of Being Earnest while in the airport yesterday, and among its many quotable quotes (see below), I came across this one: “well, in the first place girls never marry the man they flirt with” (Act I).  At first this idea seemed absurd, and perhaps it was only meant as humor, but it struck me as holding a certain amount of truth.

A friend of mine works in the public service industry, and one of his clients, a young and pretty (according to him, I’ve never met her) woman, has formed an attachment to said friend.  Although he never told me directly, I can tell that A really likes this girl, but (and this is a big but) she has a boyfriend of four years.  Now, all I know is his side of the story, but apparently, they talk in one way or another every day.  According to A it is always initiated by the client.  He said he knows nothing will ever happen, but at the same time doesn’t end the relationship.

She is clearly flirting with my friend A, but is also supposedly in a committed relationship.  Is she looking to get out of said relationship?  Or is she like the women Algy describes—looking for some excitement outside of her comfortable, probably “suitable,” partner?  Perhaps it’s the relative danger of striking up a more-than-professional-relationship with A when it is clearly against the rules that appeals to the woman.

I don’t know and I probably never will know, as I don’t think I’ll ever meet her, but the similarities between ideal Victorian women and today’s proper (and not-so proper) women intrigued me.

This wasn’t the only quote that applies to men and women of 2011.  I found many others and luckily for me, I read the play on my Kindle could therefore easily highlight and share them with you all.  Here’s a sampling:

Algy: “I really don’t see anything romantic in proposing.  It is very romantic to be in love.  But there is nothing romantic about a definite proposal…The very essence of romance is uncertainty*” (Act I). This pretty much sums up my attitude and is probably why I’m not good at relationships. *my emphasis.

Algy: “Once a week is quite enough to dine with one’s own relations” (Act I). I don’t think this needs explanation.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, but generally, holidays are enough.

Lady Bracknell: “A man should always have an occupation of some kind” (Act I). Nothing is worse than a person who doesn’t have activities or interests of his or her own.  I think it is especially bad when it’s your significant other.  Get those juices (brain, muscle… whatever) flowing!

Algy: “All women become like their mothers.  That is their tragedy.  No man does.  That’s his” (Act I). I started turning into my mother when I was 11 (love you mom, it’s not really a tragedy.  At least not for us).  It’s interesting to think about though, especially the part about men not becoming their mothers.

Cecily: “I think that whenever one has anything unpleasant to say, one should always be quite candid” (Act II). From experience, trying to sugar coat disagreeable things often leads to confusion and then even more awkwardness.  Pretend it’s a band-aid and get it over quickly!

Gwendolen: “One should always have something sensational to read on the train” (Act II). Again, speaking from experience, it is very difficult to concentrate on “literary” stuff on the train.  I need an exciting or dramatic book on the T if it has a chance at beating the cute baby or drunk rapper for my attention.

So there you have it.  And if you haven’t seen the movie, run to Blockbuster or add it to your Netflix queue immediately!

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