Some time ago I found this list of Steampunk novels that someone had put together as a sort of preliminary reading list of the genre. Interestingly enough, it splits the list into three categories: proto-Steampunk, early Steampunk, and recent Steampunk. I’m not sure that there really is that big a difference between the first two categories (as named categories, not by what they contain), but so be it. The list is as follows:
Proto-Steampunk
Gormenghast Novels (esp Titus Alone), Mervyn Peake
Worlds of the Imperium, Keith Laumer
Queen Victoria’s Bomb, Ronald W. Clark
A Nomad of the Time Streaks, Michael MoorcockEarly Steampunk
The Anubis Gates, Tim Powers
Homunculus, James Blaylock
Infernal Devices, K W JeterMore Recent Steampunk
The Difference Engine, William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Alan Moore (Comic)
Steampunk, Ann & Jeff VanderMeer (Anthology)
Girl Genius, Studio Foglio (Comic)
A Series of Unfortunate Events, Lemony Snicket
It’s an interesting list, to be sure, and I’m curious what you all would consider to be good Steampunk reading that could be added to it. I, for one, think that a Steampunk list is required to have at least one Jules Verne novel, considering that he was sort of the unintentional father of the genre. But that’s me. What about you?
Edit: These are some suggested books from the comments, etc.
The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt
The Kingdom Beyond the Waves by Stephen Hunt
The Rise of the Iron Moon by Stephen Hunt
There are a lot more steampunk books. Please have a look at:
http://www.steampunk.republika.pl/arch/opedia.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_steampunk_works
http://etheremporium.pbwiki.com/Books%20and%20Comics
http://etheremporium.pbwiki.com/Steampunk+Essentials
I know there are other books, but what books do you think would be the best additions to a preliminary Steampunk reading list?
Well, there’s three fantasy novels that I have read and enjoyed that border on steampunk by Stephen Hunt… The Court of the Air, The Kingdom Beyond the Waves, and The Rise of the Iron Moon (just started this last one, so no verdict yet). I’m not sure if they count as steampunk they are set in the far future, although they have many of the tropes of steampunk… airship navies, steam-driven robots and cities that read like Bladerunner mixed with Dicken’s London.
Scott
Oh, I’ve heard of those. Good suggestions!
I would argue against snicket – the movie yes – the books – not so much.
YES – to the Steven Hunt books. YES to Jay Lake's Mainspring. Up and comer Emilie P. Bush's Chenda and the Airship Brofman is fantastic. The Ingenious Edgar Jones was dreadful, and Boneshaker was over hyped. I HIGHLY recommend Steampunk Magazine out of Whales – FREE on the internet for downloads – it's the New Yorker of Steam Zines. Very nice.
Thanks for the recommendations!