Review of "The Difference Engine" by William Gibson & Bruce Sterling

The ‘punk’ in ‘cyberpunk’ comes from the generally rebellious stance of the sub-genre.  In contrast to the squeaky-clean space visions produced by the likes of Asimov and Clarke, sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll, mixed with near-future tech, are instead presented as the future.  So when two of its most prominent representatives genre decided to collaborate on a novel, what better way to rebel than defy expectation?

One its premiere stylist, the other its most outspoken media voice, William Gibson and Bruce Sterling buck cyberpunk expectation with their cooperative effort The Difference Engine.  Applying computing in Western society nearly a century before it occurred in reality, the two create an imaginative alternate history, and in the process pen one of the most influential works of steampunk to date.

The Difference Engine is set in London of 1855.  Charles Babbage’s theories of computing having been made mechanically possible in difference engines—primitive computers powered by steam that process punch cards (see Section B.4 here).  Spindles, gears, and feeder chutes, alongside steam gurneys, telegraphs, and smog abound in this alternate vision of England’s capital.  The plot is centered around a peculiar set of punch cards which are being pursued by various personages.  Luddites, Communards, Industrial Radicals, and other political interests giving chase, adventure and intrigue propel the plot through social and political waters, the use of the cards growing ever more mysterious as the story develops.

Review of "Matter" by Iain M. Banks

Unlike many science fiction series which tend to work linearly, continuing the story lines of favorite characters book after book, Iain Banks’ Culture series has the benefit of being open to any variety of new characters, settings, and plots.  Like pieces of a pie, with each new Culture offering, more of the Banks’ universe is set before the reader.  Fresh tech, new AI personalities, and whole, previously unexplored corners of his galaxy are exposed in detail.  After six books and an eight year hiatus from the series, Banks returns in 2008 with Matter, proving there is still plenty more pie to be eaten.  

Matter is the story of the three Hausk siblings: the oldest Anaplian, the middle Ferbin, and the youngest, Oramen.  Born and raised on the middle level of an artificial planet structured like an onion (called Sursamen), life is not always easy.  Their quality of life existing at a state circa the US Civil War, steam power, rifles, and the telegraph are beginning to take shape, but battles are still largely fought with horse and sword.  After witnessing the murder of their father the king, Ferbin runs into exile and attempts to escape to the surface of Sursamen and ask their sponsor species for help in revenge.  Believing his father to have been killed in battle, Oramen, too young to take power, willingly allows the rebel tyl Loesp regency but soon finds himself evading assassination. 

Review of "The House of Storms" by Ian R. MacLeod

The breadth of English language reading material not always readily available in Poland, particularly sci-fi and fantasy, I often must resort to reading whatever I can lay my hands on.  It was thus when Ian MacLeod’s 2005 The House of Storms came available on the Polish equivalent of ebay, I bid and won.  (The flip side to being an English language reader in Poland is there’s not much competition for said material.)  I knew it was a loose sequel to The Light Ages, but all the reviews stated the books were not necessary to read in order.  Individually and as a whole, yes, they were right: The House of Storms is self-contained, and like the reviews in comparison to one another, yes, quality fluctuates.

The setting of the alternate history novel is deliciously steampunk.  All the action located in a Victorian-esque England, an intriguing substance called aether has permeated societal development to the same point oil has ours.  Fueling an industrial boom that has improved communication, transportation and technology, the substance also causes harm to those who are exposed for too long, even mutating unborn children.  A valuable resource, it causes its share of conflict, and as the telegraph is being wired over England, bloody clashes as to who controls the all-important communication lines.  The lower class involuntary a member of the conflict, The House of Storms covers all layers of society toward examining, amongst other things, industrial revolutions and the existence of the supernatural.