The Difference Engine

[electronic resource] /, 363 pages

English language

Published Jan. 28, 2011 by Spectra/Bantam Books.

ISBN:
978-0-345-53258-9
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OCLC Number:
774566405

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3 stars (1 review)

Fictional speculation on what would have happened if the computer had been invented in the 19th century.

19 editions

World over story?

3 stars

I will usually grab any SF Masterworks book I find in second hand book shops because so far every one I've read has been brilliant. Unfortunately The Different Engine has broken that run by coming across as confused and mediocre.

There's interesting world building (maybe more "world describing") at play, and quite a pacey, engaging story thread that pulls you through the middle of the book. Either side though almost feels like completely unrelated tales that never really join up with everything else.

Great idea but executed in a way that didn't do it for me. Read a review that suggested this would have been a great short story or novella if trimmed down, and I think they've got it spot on.

Subjects

  • Science fiction