Steampunk: When Invention Met the Victorian Age.
The Genre Genealogy Series.
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Welcome, welcome, welcome,
To the next instalment of The Genre Genealogy Series, where we explore the anatomy and trace the roots and influences of different genres together. This is the sixth instalment of this series. We have previously followed the history of Folk Horror, Portal Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Body Horror and Magical Realism.
Visit The Ink-Stained Desk publication page to read these previous articles.
If you just want to get to the Steampunk book reviews and recommendations, website links, and academic texts, feel free to scroll down, I won’t be offended. In fact, I won’t even know!
Introduction.
Steampunk fiction sits close to my heart, I’m not sure why it has taken me this long to cover it. As someone rather interested (—some would claim obsessed) with the Victorian era and as a writer of speculative and fantasy fiction, the Steampunk genre naturally draws me in. I must admit as well that there is something about the juxtaposition between a Victorian gown worn with a leather gun holster, ‘steampunk style’ goggles and a tall hat that appeals to me.
Note: Speaking of ‘steampunk style’, for those here reading the Genre Genealogy Series for the first time, I will not be discussing film, visual art or costumes in this article, although there may be some small mention if necessary. Here at The Ink-Stained Desk, I try to stick exclusively to discussing with written texts.
The Anatomy of the Steampunk Genre.
To enable us to follow notable Steampunk works through history, we first need to be able to detect and identify these works. How do we distinguish Steampunk from other types of speculative, fantasy or science fiction literature?
Retrofuturism/ Alternative History: The setting of Steampunk fiction is, more often than not, an alternate history based on the Victorian or Edwardian eras. The history usually diverges regarding science.
I very happily came across the term ‘retrofuturism’,1 (— a term I have previously not heard of) while researching this article and I really think it hits the nail on the head in regard to thinking about setting in Steampunk literature. This idea of the past being future forward or futuristic, whilst leaning into the past.
Anachronistic technologies and Aesthetics: Related to the above point, but stretching beyond the setting itself. Steampunk fiction features technologies that move beyond what might be expected for the period within which they are set, but these technologies are built with materials that would have been available during the 19th century. Think steam, clockworks, leather, gears. This aesthetic is visually striking and one of the main ways that Steampunk fiction is identifiable (—and beautiful in my humble opinion).
Emphasis on Invention and Innovation: Here we see the characters themselves are often the inventors, craftsmen, scientists or engineers, all pushing the boundaries of what is technologically possible within their alternative worlds2. It is notable here, that even though the alternative world already pushes beyond the reality of the actual historical era, these characters are trying to push this further.
Adventure and Exploration: Steampunk literature holds a sense of adventure with grand voyages and exploration, which harks back to the 19th-century scientific romances.
Blurring of Genres: Although we don’t use the term ‘sub-genre’ here at The Ink-Stained Desk, (—because every monster should be exalted as its own genre and the ‘sub’ prefix pushes a connotation of being lesser somehow) the ‘punk’ in Steampunk is often argued to be referring to the idiosyncratic nature of the genre. Is it science fiction? Historical fiction? Speculative? Fantasy? The difficulties in categorizing Steampunk make it counter-cultural and rebellious, thus punk! This is often also read as being a critique of imperialism or Victorian era social norms.
Steampunk Literature Roots and Influences.
Note: Any and all of the following texts will not satisfy every characteristic of the Steampunk genre that is outlined above. These are roots and influences the lead up; in other words, they are not explicitly Steampunk texts in and of themselves.
Mythology.
As regular readers of The Genre Genealogy Series know, every genre can be traced back to myth. Of course, no traditional mythology directly features Steampunk, but many strongly resonate with the characteristics of the genre.
As usual, follow the links for the best online iterations of the relevant mythological stories.
Talos: Greek Mythology. This huge bronze man (—who we might consider an automaton) was built by Hephaestus to guard the island of Crete. Here we can see the precursor to clockwork or steam-powered golems or security. Like all good automatons he had one weakness, all of his life blood was kept in a single spot in his ankle.
King Solomon’s Throne: Jewish mythology. King Solomon’s throne was said to have a special mechanism, when he ascended mechanical animals like lions and eagles would assist him and place his crown on his head, even handing him the Torah. Here we can see a precursor to complex but non-electrical automatons.
Hephaestus: Greek Mythology. The god of fire, forges, blacksmiths, and metalworking. He was also known as the divine smith and patron of craftsmen. A creative genius who pushed the boundaries of what was possible, paralleling the eccentric inventors of the steampunk genre.
The Proto-Steampunk of the 19th Century.
At its heart, science fiction as a genre takes technology that exists in the world at the time of writing and asks ‘what if?’ So if we rewind to the science fiction of the 19th-century, we naturally stumble upon many texts that are precursory to the steampunk genre.
If we specifically consider The Journey to the Centre of the Earth, by Jules Verne (—who I would very comfortably claim is the grandfather of the Steampunk genre) we can see many of the characteristics that are important in Steampunk. Set firmly in the 19th century, the narrative follows pioneering scientists on an audacious expedition to the Earth's core, outfitted with an array of remarkable contraptions. One prime example is the 'Ruhmkorff's coil' (—which I imagine to be an early electric light).
“The light of our Ruhmkorff's coil, increased tenfold by the myriad of prismatic masses of rock, sent its jets of fire in every direction, and I could fancy myself traveling through a huge hollow diamond, the rays of which produced myriads of extraordinary effects.” (Chapter 19)
Though this device existed in Verne's time, its limited familiarity would have made it feel powerfully advanced, (— almost anachronistic), to Verne’s contemporary readers. This blend of real, yet cutting-edge or rarely seen contemporary technology with imaginative adventure perfectly encapsulates the spirit of innovation and anachronistic aesthetics that define Steampunk.
Early Modern Steampunk. (1950’s to 1970’s)
Before the term ‘Steampunk’ was coined (—this happened in 1987 from what I can gather) authors were already looking back to the Victorian era and reimagining technology.
The book, Titus Alone, by Mervyn Peake (1959) is in many places regarded as the first Steampunk novel. This is the third book in the Gormenghast series. The first two books are set in a castle, but in this third book, the main character, Titus, leaves the castle and finds himself in a futuristic world of flying machines, invention factories and Helmeteers (—very creepy soldier/ police offices that very much lean into automaton territory).
The First Wave. (1979 to 1990’s)
According to dictionary.com, Steampunk as a term was first used in 1987 by science fiction author K.W. Jeter, in a letter to Locus magazine, to describe the work of Tim Powers, James Blaylock and himself.3 The text that Jeter was referring to was his book Morlock Night, which is a sequel to H G Well’s The Time Machine. In Jeter’s text, the Morlocks travel back in time to England. I cannot claim to have read this book, or even to have heard of it before researching this article, but I have managed to order a copy from my local library and am itching to pick it up.
2000’s to the Present.
In the present day, Steampunk texts continue to blend the Victorian era with cutting edge invention. Beyond the gears and goggles, contemporary Steampunk often delves deeper into social commentary, exploring themes of class disparity, colonial legacies, environmental concerns, and the philosophical implications of human ingenuity, often through diverse characters and settings beyond its traditional British roots.
Why Is Steam Punk Literature Popular Now?
The Steampunk genre continues to captivate audiences in the present day for a variety of compelling reasons, blending elements of nostalgia, innovation, and thoughtful critique:
Unique Aesthetic Appeal: ‘Futuristic Nostalgia’: Steampunk captivates with its distinct visual style, a "futuristic nostalgia" that marries the elegance and intricate craftsmanship of the Victorian era with fantastical, steam-powered technology. Its blend of polished brass, exposed gears, and period fashion creates a visually rich and immediately recognizable aesthetic. This allows audiences to escape our sleek, often invisible modern technology by exploring imaginative advancements set within a romanticized past.
A Counter-Narrative to Modern Technology: In an age dominated by increasingly abstract and disposable digital technology (smartphones, AI, cloud computing), Steampunk offers a tangible, understandable, and fixable alternative. Its machines are large, mechanical, and visible (—you can see the gears turn, the steam hiss, and the levers move.) This provides a "non-Luddite critique of technology," acknowledging progress while emphasizing craftsmanship, repairability, and a more direct, human relationship with the machines we create, which resonates with the modern "maker" and DIY culture.
Genre Mash-Up and Flexibility: Steampunk thrives as a hybrid genre, effortlessly blending historical fiction with science fiction, fantasy, adventure, and sometimes even dystopian elements. This flexibility allows for diverse storytelling, from daring explorations and grand adventures to social commentary and critiques of class, industry, or colonialism. This broad appeal means there's something for many different tastes within its framework.
Critique and Social Commentary: Steampunk often explores deeper themes such as the consequences of unchecked industrialization, the balance between progress and tradition, social hierarchies, and the human impact of technology. It can serve as a commentary on contemporary issues by reimagining historical ones, making it intellectually stimulating as well as entertaining.
Reading Recommendations.
Classic Fiction.
Links here will direct you to the free e-book of the text thanks to Project Gutenberg who is working hard at digitizing texts that exist within the public domain.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (1870)
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (1895).
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1818). I don’t think there has been a single instalment of The Genre Genealogy Series where I have not mentioned this book. If you have not read this, please go and read it.
A Journey To The Centre of the Earth. by Jules Verne (1864)
Contemporary Fiction.
Links here will lead you to the title’s GoodReads page.
Morlock Night by K. W. Jeter. (1987): A sequel to H. G. Well’s The Time Machine.
The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher (2015): fleets of airships, a cold war and cargo ship trades.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (2009): an YA Steampunk, illustrated. For those looking outside of the Victorian box, this Steampunk beauty is set just before World War 1.
Perdido Street Station by China Miéville (2000): I have not read this one yet, but it is definitely on my list. Ancient dead beast, a mad scientist and a half human, half bird creature.
Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve (2001): A contemporary classic in my mind. The first of The Mortal Engines Quartet (—why are they always a series?) Made into an okay film in 2018.
Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (2010): The first of the Infernal Devices Trilogy, set in the world of the Shadowhunter’s, definitely not one to be missed!
(—Many years ago this was my first soiree into the Shadowhunter’s and is my top Steampunk choice.)
Academic Papers on JSTOR for Those Inclined.
Get your free JSTOR accounts at the ready! (No, this is not sponsored. I’m just so grateful to be able to read 100 academic articles a month for free and want to shout it from the rooftops!)
Close, Samantha. “Five Little Victorian Londons.” Sartorial Fandom: Fashion, Beauty Culture, and Identity, edited by Elizabeth Affuso and Suzanne Scott, University of Michigan Press, 2023. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3998/mpub.12315327.8 (—this article leans more into the aesthetic of Steampunk, but still worth a read.)
King, Edward, and Joanna Page. “Steampunk, Cyberpunk and the Ethics of Embodiment.” Posthumanism and the Graphic Novel in Latin America, UCL Press, 2017. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt1rfzxnd.8
Rose, Margaret. “Extraordinary Pasts: Steampunk as a Mode of Historical Representation.” Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts, vol. 20, no. 3 (77), 2009. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24352357
Whew! I’m always exhausted after writing these articles, but I really, really love doing the research. I hope you've enjoyed this deep dive into the Steampunk genre and perhaps found a book to keep you busy over the weekend.
Please help me by voting for the genre highlighted in the next instalment of The Genre Genealogy Series, I can’t decide!
See you next Friday,
C M Reid at The Ink-Stained Desk.
Taddeo, Julie Anne (Anthology Editor) & Miller, Cynthia J. (Anthology Editor). Steaming into a Victorian Future: A Steampunk Anthology. Scarecrow Press, 2012
Danahay, Marton. ‘Steampunk as a Postindustrial Aesthetic: ‘All that is solid melts in air.”’ Neo-Victorian Studies, Vol. 8 No. 2 (2016): General Issue. Brock University, Ontario, 2023. https://neovictorianstudies.com/article/view/106
https://www.dictionary.com/e/pop-culture/steampunk/
this is great, i love this series!