Question... What exactly is Steampunk?

[Toni]

I have come across the term Steampunk more and more recently. I pretty much read everything. But I can't seem to get a handle on exactly what Steampunk entails. Anyone out there know what it is?

[Kelly]

I have this same problem. The most I can come up with is that it's a different kind of world where machinery is a dominant force in the story.

[Kelly]

I think Leviathanand Cinderwould be considered Steampunk, but I could be wrong. My grasp on this is not very strong :)

[Reed]

Steampunk refers to a very stylized form of science fiction. The technology involved is often very advanced but has the appearance of the type of things used between the years of 1850-1920 (approximately) For example a lot of steampunk has stuff like attack blimps, airships etc. Previous poster is correct, Leviathan is most definitely of this genre. Steampunk is also popular among cosplayers, as the attire involved is very ornamental and fancy. (aviator goggles, oversized metal jewelry etc.)

[Tasha]

Here are a few interesting links to learn more:
1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk
2. An interesting librarians opinion http://steampunkworkshop.com/nine-nov...
3. Steampunk.com's opinion http://www.steampunk.com/what-is-stea...

[Meagan]

I have also been very confused about what this genre entails

[Toni]

Hmmm... Ok. Looks like I'm not the only one confused by this. Good to know. I am going to have to check out those links to get a better idea. But from what some of you have said about it... It sounds a little odd? Has anyone read Steampunk and do you like it?

[Robin]

I read steampunk & highly enjoy it. But then, I like historical fiction & history, science fiction, machinery & robots. I am a huge Doctor Who fan, too though.

Also I find corsets, goggles & airships sexy.

[Reed]

I've read a few steampunk books and I'm not the biggest fan. The mixture of advanced technology with Victorian era sensibilities and the goofy mannerisms just feels unnatural to me. There's just something so wrong about a guy in a top hat and tails piloting a 200 foot tall steam engine powered mechanical dinosaur.

[Toni]

Ahahaha, Reed and Robin! Both your comments made me laugh. One likes corsets and big goggles. The other doesn't like the guy in a top hat maneuvering a mechanical dinosaur! Too funny. I have to admit though that I am not sure that this genre is for me. From the descriptions it just sounds so... different, for lack of a better term. Maybe I'll have to read one just to make sure. There are some books out there that I thought I'd hate, but was pleasantly surprised once I read them. So... Robin, since you seem to like this genre, what would you recommed?

[Heather]

The best answer I've found, although I can't remember from where, is, "What the past would look like if the future had happened sooner."

Leviathan and Boneshaker are excellent examples of variation.

And Abney Park. Go listen to some Abney Park.

[Toni]

Still not sold on this genre. But I will check out one of the books mentioned and go from there. It just doesn't sound like something I'd be into.

[Heather]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iySJyk...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq7XG4...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8w84U...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnaphJ...

[Heather]

My favorite aspects of steampunk is things that for us is mundane, but to the Victorians would have been heavy science fiction, in a Victorian aesthetic. Space shuttles, laptops, and smart phones made of wood and brass, powered by punch cards and vacuum tubes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeEI-h...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vORsKy...

[Reed]

I just realized I forgot to mention the guy driving the dinosaur is also high on laudinum and carrying half a dozen pocketwatches. Can't have steampunk without a big ol' bottle of laudinum.

[Robin]

Toni, if you'd like my choices (or anyone else who is interested):

Classic:
H.G. Wells - he and Jules Verne are the forerunners, especially since it was science fiction IN the Victorian era.

If you like Comics/Graphic Novels:
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Omnibus or Girl Genius, Vol. 1: Agatha Heterodyne and the Beetleburg Clank

If you follow more of the paranormal/urban fantasy genre:
Soulless/Etiquette & Espionage, The Girl in the Steel Corset, God Save the Queen & so many more, lol.

George Mann is good, he wrote a series The Affinity Bridge (which fits mystery, paranormal, & steampunk), but he also has two other books I recommend Ghosts of Manhattan (which takes place in the 20s/30s I believe - HNR yet. It makes me think of the Shadow & Sam Spade put together, lol) & he did a Doctor Who book called Doctor Who: Paradox Lost (it is typical Doctor Who, so if you like it, check it out).

If you like more mystery & science:
A Case of Poisons, which came out. It reminded me more of Sherlock Holmes, but there is a scene toward the end that freaked me out a little bit.

If you'd like more romance:
The Iron Duke & Steamed, which was cliche but interesting if you like other works by Katie MacAlister.

I highly recommend The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer, which is more cyberpunk, but it I thought it was good. I like Neal Stephenson's work though.

[Heather]

The authors of Girl Genius the webcomic prefer to call it a "gaslamp fantasy," but tomato potato.

Some novelizations of their work (the webcomic can be found for free online): and

[Toni]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I will check at least one of them out and see if steampunk is for me. It still seems a little odd to me but I'll give it a fair shake. You never know...

[Heather]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOgpdp...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o26cT7...

The group from the second video, the League of STEAM, make an appearance in the first. The first time I saw The Ballad of Mona Lisa I kept thinking, "Those guys look familiar..."

The League of STEAM is a...paranormal exterminator company. They're basically a Dresdan-style urban fantasy ensemble, but with steampunk.

[Andrew]

Toni, if it helps, I've put various explanatory links together on my website.

I've seen steampunk described as being set in the age of steam, but with the kind of technology that did not exist back then.

It IS a difficult genre to sum up, but I think you'll know it when you see it.

[Toni]

Thank you Heather and Andrew

[Becky]

I like steampunk like others have mentioned there are things like airships, sometimes futuristic, not always.

[Heather]

Steampunk is in the eye of the beholder. It is you want it to be. Abney Park wants it to be airships and pirates, I want it to be wooden laptops and steam-powered rockets. Some like it historical, with people from the history books in strange settings or using technology that doesn't exist (Abraham Lincoln and his Gatling arm, namely).

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4...

http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php...

And the we get into variations like "deisalpunk" (futuristic technology with a 1940s aesthetic, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow) and "clockpunk" (steampunk set a few years earlier, using wind-ups rather than steam engines)