Victorians! discussion

Here we have our very first author interview at the Victorians group. It falls into the neo category (obvioulsy, much as I would love to summon Dickens from the grave for a live chat).

I have posted the interview in my book blog The Book Whisperer (shameless, I know, but hey the mod has gotta have some perks).

Here is a little bio about Gail from here own website: “Ms. Carriger began writing in order to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by a harem of Armenian lovers, where she insists on tea imported directly from London and cats that pee into toilets. She is fond of teeny tiny hats and tropical fruit. Soulless is her first book, Changeless is her second.”

Soulless
[image error] Changeless


Now on to the questions:

Have you made any new years resolutions and if so can you share any with us?
I have decided to do more yoga and drink less tea. So far this year, tea = 12 and yoga = 3. Not so good really.

Which book have you read in the last year that made you think “Damn, I wish I’d written that?”
That isn’t normally my first thought upon finishing a really good book, unless it’s a New York Times best seller. However, I really, really loved Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George. It obviously stemmed from a place of love and academic familiarity with Nordic fairy stories. The prose was beautifully lyrical and it was a genuine pleasure to read.

You’re about to be stranded on a desert island and you are only allowed to take 3 books with you: which do you take and why?
The Forgotten Beast of Eld by Patricia McKillip, By the Sword by Mercedes Lackey, and Taming the Forest King by Claudia J. Edwards. All for exactly the same reason: I can read them over and over again and never get tired of them.

Now onto the first book in the Parasol Protectorate series – Soulless. Where did you come up with the idea of vampires and werewolves prowling the streets of Victorian London?
It’s a ruthless vehicle to explain history’s greatest mystery: How did one tiny island manage to conquer an empire upon which the sun never set? I decided that the only possible answer was that England openly accepted supernatural creatures, and put them to good use, while other countries continued persecution. This gave Great Britain a leg up dealing with messy little situations like winning major foreign battles or establishing an efficient bureaucracy or convincing the world cricket is a good idea. It so very Victorian to take a stance the equivalent of, “Ah yes, vampires, jolly good chaps, excellent fashion sense, always polite, terribly charming at cards, we just won’t mention that little neck biting habit.”

What research did you do on London under the rule of Queen Victoria?
I had a fair bit of expertise in certain aspects of the era (fashion, food, manners, literature, theatre, upper class courting rituals, antiquities collecting) when I started but great gaps in other areas that I quickly realized needed to be filled. I spent a lot of time researching the gadgetry and technology of the day, travel and communications techniques, medical and hard science advances, not to mention other things like major wars and military strategies, configuration of army regiments, geographical lay out of London in the 1870s (shops and streets names), newspapers, and government policies. That’s the thing, you never know what information you are going to need until you need it, and inevitably the internet doesn’t have it. Since I’m writing alt history I can always disregard the facts, but I like to get it right first, before I mess with it. Most people won’t care to look up the details (or get it wrong by confusing my setting with Austen or mid-Victorian, I’m specifically 1773) but it will bother me if I don’t know the truth of the matter.

Which are your favourite books and authors from that era and did any of them inspire you while writing Soulless?
I love Elisabeth Gaskell, so anything by her. I like Jane Eyre but can do without the other Bronte sisters. Of course, I lived and breathed Dickens for a very long time, still do once a year, so I have to mention him. I’m an aberrant in this, but David Copperfield is my favorite. Amelia B. Edwards’ A Thousand Miles Up the Nile was certainly an influence on Alexia’s character. As to inspirations, I’d say P.G. Wodehouse had more of an influence on my writing style than anyone from the actual Victorian era.

Can you explain steampunk to us and what is it about it that fascinates you so much?
There are two main kinds of steampunk. The first, and most common, envisions a future as the Victorians imagined it. Steampower dominates (usually at the expense of electricity) and Victorian science, morals, and manners reign supreme. The writings of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne are good examples. The alternative option, depicts a far future world that harkens back to Victorian culture, for example a bustle dress made of kevlar. There are also other temporal “punks” like clockpunk (c. 1500s) and dieselpunk (WWII). I’m fascinated by steampunk because it allows me to play with all the intriguing and appealing bits of Victorian era, while ignoring the rotten underbelly (bigotry, slavery, destitution).

Has anyone read this yet? What did you think? Would you like to read it?

Have not read it, no, but if her writing is anything like her bio and her answers, I'm getting the book! It just seems fun!

Paula wrote: "Have not read it, no, but if her writing is anything like her bio and her answers, I'm getting the book! It just seems fun!"

Just read Soulless and I really enjoyed it (see my steam punk challenge strand for more info)

"Soulless" was one of my favorite books of 2009! It is wonderful and I highly recommend it to fans of the Victorian era with a sense of humor. Here is my review for those interested.

Thank you Boof and Gail for the great interview! :-)

FIVE STARS:
A thorough delight! I felt a cozy connection to Carriger's writing style and found the subject matter charming. Love the idea that vampires, werewolves and ghosts are not in hiding--that they are, in fact, breaking bread with Victorian London's upper crust and perhaps even sharing some important information with the Queen! Alpha werewolf Lord Maccon is one of the most sought-after bachelors. And don't forget to ask a vampire if you really want to know the latest fashion and hairstyles! ;-p Then, there's twenty-six year old spinster Alexia Tarribotti, who, in addition to having an Italian heritage and a rather large nose happens to have no soul beneath her ample bosom. This does not, of course, mean that she has no heart--and it certainly does not diminish her intelligence, curiosity or outspokenness! So, when werewolves and vampires begin to go missing, and Miss Tarrabotti begins to find Lord Maccon rather attractive despite the upcoming full moon, it is all too evident that she may find herself involved in unraveling the mysterious disappearances. Of course, that would involve getting her fashionable gowns ruined in some instances, and she may have to lose out on the odd treacle tart, but she is a strong woman and such things do not phase her--much.

I loved pretty much everything about this novel. I think Carriger loved writing it. Her smiles and giggles just shine off the page and are quite infectious. There were a few times when I felt a few of the more superficial aspects went on a bit too long--but that was only a small detraction and not enough for me to lower my five star rating. The characters are wonderfully vivid and I felt chummy with many of them in no time. I love that Alexia is a kick-butt, intelligent and sensitive woman who also really hates it when her dresses get spoiled--oh yeah that's my kind of gal! :-) The fantasy world is well realized--even if I occasionally found myself wanting more. There is some mild "horror" in terms of a few fights, some torture devices and a very creepy human-or-not-human? creature, but I have an extremely low tolerance threshold for such things and I was not bothered. I was also surprised to find that there are more than a few "adult situations" and things get a bit steamy although it's mostly pretty PG-13. Again, this is not my usual reading fare but in this case things are handled with such humor and not-really-being-specific-but-you-know-what-is-being-talked-about flare that I was not put-off. However, I wasn't really expecting that so I wanted to mention it in my review as some audiences may not want it.

Overall, a charming read and I'm eager for the sequels!

Thanks for posting that, Kathryn!

I'm reading this right now (200 pages in) and it's fabulous! So much fun.

Excellent! I just finished Soulless, and pre-ordered Changeless before i'd even finished. Ms. Carriger is an amazingly funny writer, and I really couldn't put her book down. Can't wait for April 1st!

Me too, Kate.

The book designer for Gail Carringer's new book, Blameless, accidentally left screen-capture on while creating the new cover. So they turned the process into a promo video. Pretty neat!

Darcy wrote: "The book designer for Gail Carringer's new book, Blameless, accidentally left screen-capture on while creating the new cover. So they turned the process into a promo video. Pretty neat!"

That was cool! I can't wait to start reading the first book...I just need to get to it :)

I know what you mean! Our library doesn't yet have a copy, but this book has been getting such good reviews that I might not be able to wait much longer ;)

Ahh! I'm so excited! Book 3, Blameless, just shipped from Amazon!! That means I may actually get it before I go away for Labor Day weekend! I would love to add a fun little read to my stack of books for this weekend; lounging around outside with a highly entertaining neo-Vic mystery sounds superb! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I just received my Amazon notification too! I'm so excited. I can't wait to see what happens with Lord Maccon (sp?), the poop!

Haha! Yes, "the poop" is very appropriate considering how the last book ended! Can't wait to read it and hear what you think about it Carolyn! :)

I might (crossing fingers) be able to read it this weekend, BUT I have a ton of library books due and don't know if I can squeeze it it.

I will be so curious to know what you think. I admit to being a tad frustrated with the ending of "Changless" but I love the books otherwise!

We should all come back and write what we thought with "spoilers". Okay, I'll just have to put it at the top of my list for this weekend's read. How about everyone else?

I preordered Blameless too! I just tracked my package on Amazon--looks like it will be delivered today!!! SO EXCITED!

I can set up a discussion folder for this book, if a few of us would like. That way, it doesn't include spoilers for those who just wanted to come in to get an intro to the author and read the interview. Sound good?

Rachel - I'm so jealous! We're leaving for the long weekend tomorrow morning and it didn't show up today, so I'm brainstorming ways to delay my fiance for the trip until my book arrives - argh!

Sounds great - I'm reading it tomorrow.

This is all a spoof, isn't it, Boof?

I just found out book #4 came out!



The fifth book in the series comes out around March 2012!