Steaming into a Victorian Future: A Steampunk Anthology

by Julie Anne Taddeo (Editor), Cynthia J. Miller (Editor)

A popular sub-genre of fantasy and science fiction, steampunk re-imagines the Victorian age in the future, and re-works its technology, fashion, and values with a dose of anti-modernism. While often considered solely through the lens of literature, steampunk is, in fact, a complex phenomenon that also affects, transforms, and unites a wide range of disciplines, such as art, music, film, television, fashion, new media, and material culture. In Steaming into a Victorian Future: A Steampunk Anthology, Julie Anne Taddeo and Cynthia J. Miller have assembled a collection of essays that consider the social and cultural aspects of this multi-faceted genre. The essays included in this volume examine various manifestations of steampunk both separately and in relation to each other in order to better understand the steampunk sub-culture and its effect on and interrelationship with popular culture and the wider society. This volume expands and extends existing scholarship on steampunk in order to explore many previously unconsidered questions about cultural creativity, social networking, fandom, appropriation, and the creation of meaning. An overdue exploration of a fascinating sub-genre, Steaming into a Victorian Future offers a wide ranging look at the impact of steampunk, as well as the individuals who create, interpret, and consume it.

Genres: Steampunk, Nonfiction, Essays, Anthologies

428 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 14, 2012

Reviews

[Vinnie Tesla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently the only book in existence (to my knowledge) that mentions me in the index. Clearly a work of exceptional merit.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in the academic side of steampunk then you'll enjoy this book. Chapters focus on feminism in steampunk novels, the craft/diy movement, the act of role playing, specific books, comics and films from the genre and much more. As a participant I enjoyed getting a bigger glimpse of the steampunk world. As an academic I liked the various interpretations and lenses from which the authors chose to interpret the subculture.

[Catherine Siemann]

The first edited collection of academic essays on the steampunk phenomenon -- covers literature, film, subculture, politics, and aesthetic.
As I'm a contributor, I'm not going to give this stars lest it be seen as self-serving, but I will recommend it.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have to agree with others this is a valuable resource for any person interested in Steampunk. Found myself learning new information which others had not provided. Writing style is more than acceptable.

[Michal · Rating 2 out of 5]

My review:

http://onelastsketch.wordpress.com/20...

Not the most positive one, I'm afraid.

[NVTony · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a compendium of information. Picture plates added bonus. Everything you want or need to know about Steampunk with extensive bibliography. Could not put down.

[Voss Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first few chapters, save for the introduction, were fascinating. However, from there, while they were well written, I lost interest in the essays.

[Jaymee Goh · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review-essay on this book is available on JSTOR in Science Fiction Studies #41