Steampunk
- Good
example of a Science Fantasy trope: Feels like SF, has fantasy
underpinnings.
- Magic
and technology living side-by-side.
- Alternate
version of the Victorian age.
- Premised
on the concept of inventors in the late 19th century being able to use
steam and their level of science to create all sorts of advanced
technology – dirigibles for transoceanic flights, powerful clockwork
computers, robots, etc. What would that have done for the
- All
steampunk includes implied magic in that in our world steam-level
technology can’t do what steampunk has it doing. “The Iron Duke” by
Meljean Brook, for instance, includes nanotechnology produced by the Horde
and used to control Europeans in a steam culture. That’s just not
possible.
- Might
also include magic workers alongside mad (and not so mad) inventors. (The
Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow.
Main characters are a forensic sorceress and an expert at deduction
working together in a wonderfully steampunk and magical society.)
- Often
includes magical beings – vampires, werewolves, zombies. (Souless by Gail
Carriger)
- Very
popular right now.
- As
much of an aesthetic movement as a subgenre. Lots of websites,
costuming and crafting around steampunk mainly involving brass, gears,
goggles and at least vaguely Victorian style clothing. Some of it is very
clever.
- For
an idea of the look a couple of steampunk movies - “Sherlock Holmes”
(2009) and the 2008 Dr. Who Christmas Special “The Next Doctor.”
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