I am listening to The Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve. It's a good book and it was recommended to me when I did this post about steampunk. And then I found this mini-rant about the steampunk genre by Philip Reeve on his blog. But here's my problem, I would classify The Mortal Engines as a dystopian novel since it takes place in the far future rather than steampunk. From what I understand about steampunk it takes place in the past, especially around the Victorian times, while dystopian is our possible futures.
What do you think? Maybe there can be a whole new genre, "dystopian steampunk."
Haha! Dystopian steampunk! I think those would be a little oxymoronic, wouldn't they?
ReplyDeleteI always thought, by definition, dystopian is a futuristic what-if while steampunk is largely Victorian what-if. I could be wrong.
I don't really see how dystopian and steampunk can coincide, since one is futuristic and the other is historical. But maybe I just don't know enough about steampunk to differentiate it. I've never read anything like it, though I really would like to pick up Scott Westerfeld's LEVIATHAN (if only because it has his name on it lol).
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ReplyDelete*sigh* Steam punk does not repersent any spesific time peroid. it mealy refers to the type of technology used, (see the garth nix keys to the kingdom series) think of steam punk as a trend or style (see fallout series takes place in future but has a 50s feel to it) also think this way. one is a style of government or a discription, the other (steam punk) is a style or a feel,
ReplyDeletefor example 1984 describes beautiful meadows and parks, but the setting always feels gray and depressing, with no way to get in a better place and no hope for a better, or even different future. (see 1984 to see a dystopian socaity in the past)
where as in steam punk the world really is a coppery color, everything make with copper or bronze. the steam engien being the prime source of power for all technology. and also remember, STEAM PUNK DOES NOT REQUIRE A CERTIN TIME PERIOD TO EXIST. (see fanfic End of Ponies to see a steampunk atmosphere in the future) (also see Fallout video game series or fanfic Fallout Equestria to see steam punk in the future)
sry about my poor writing, i just read alot.
also a steampunk world is darker or more copper colored due to the amount of smog and pollution produced by factories that exist in the steam punk style world.
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