© 2024 Public Radio Tulsa
800 South Tucker Drive
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 631-2577

A listener-supported service of The University of Tulsa
classical 88.7 | public radio 89.5
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Notes on the Sci-Fi Spin-Off Known as Steampunk: Scott Westerfeld and His Newest Novel, "Goliath"

By Rich Fisher

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-991613.mp3

Tulsa, OK – On today's ST, we get hip to steampunk, a sub-genre of science fiction / fantasy that's mainly set in the Victorian or Edwardian Age. (The term bascially combines the idea of cyberpunk sci-fi writing and the historical epoch that was the Age of Steam. Think vintage H.G. Wells or Jules Verne, only contemporary.) As a stylistic hybrid that crosses industrial-era inventions and trends with futuristic (or else fantastic) contraptions and plots, steampunk can be found in many of today's books, movies, comics, and even music recordings. Our guest is Scott Westerfeld, whose new book, "Goliath" --- which is the third volume in his popular "Leviathan" trilogy --- is a prime example of the steampunk mode. As Westerfeld tells us, this mode all comes down to "gears and goggles." Also on today's show, our commentator Connie Cronley offers a moving and perceptive personal essay entitled "Gang Funeral."