Van Helsing

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Creator: Directed by Stephen Sommers, Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale

Tags: adult, teens, movies

Media Type: Feature Film, 131 minutes

Audience: Rated PG-13

 

Summary:

Meet Van Helsing, the Catholic Church’s bounty hunter for all things mythical and otherworldly. When the Church needs someone to deal with a vampire infestation in northern Transylvania Van Helsing and his friar assistant Carl are sent on the job. There they meet Anna Valerious and her brother – the last two in an ill fated family line. The Valerious founder made a promise to God, than none of his line would enter heaven until they had killed the worst of all vampires: Dracula. As the end of their family line, Anna desperately seeks Dracula’s fortress to save the souls of her family. With Van Helsing’s help they fight werewolves, Dracula’s brides, and try to stop his dastardly plan… as soon as they find out what it is.

The main steam elements in the movie are the weapons like Van Helsing’s mechanized, revolver style crossbow and the clothes; Anna’s costumes offer a colorful alternative to wearing a bustle. The high-Victorian pseudo-science re-imagining of Frankenstein’s Monster is also very steampunk.

 

 

Bottom Line: A little cheesy, but a lot of fun with great weapons and costumes.

Find It: https://www.worldcat.org/title/van-helsing/oclc/55859335&referer=brief_results

A Cat’s Steampunk Alphabet

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Author: G. D. Falksen and Evelyn Kriete
Series: –

Age/Audience: Mixed audience, children will enjoy the variety of cats and non-traditional alphabet rhymes, adults will enjoy the throw back to turn-of-the-century English culture.

Genre/Style: Alphabet book

Read If You Like: Louis Wain style cats, rhymes, Victorian British satire

 

Summary:

H is for hydraulic, I for iron, and J for jingo in this abecedary that has as much appeal for grown-ups as for young ones. Styled after Louis Wain’s illustrations the simple rhymes offer steampunk vocabulary (dirigible, gear, timepiece) paired with satire on Victorian culture (xenophobia, jingo, zenith). This short book offers a lot to all ages as a platform for discussion, an interpretation of illustration, and an introduction to all things steam.

 

Bottom Line: The perfect mix of cute and clever, a must read.

Read More:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13589913-a-cats-steampunk-alphabet

Nook Book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-cats-steampunk-alphabet-gd-falksen/1110378155?ean=9781434448880

Steamduck Learns to Fly!

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Author: Emilie P Bush and Illustrated by William Kevin Petty
Series: Coal City Stories

Age/Audience: children, early readers

Genre/Style: Prose rhyming picture book with intermediate level sentences

Read If You Like: Existential crisis in children’s literature, ducks, overcoming obstacles

 

Summary:

Steamduck has always been happy floating around rivers and lakes, but when he sees a gaggle of geese fly over head he knows something is missing that makes it clear he isn’t a real duck. With the help of his tinker creator Otter, they begin investigating the best ways to get Steamduck up into the air. They try balloons and other ways, but nothing seems to get him off the ground. Finally, after several tries, the tinker has a surprise for Steamduck that shows him all rewards mean more when you truly earn them.

 

Bottom Line: Lovely simply colored illustrations paired with a heart-wrenchingly sweet story make this story a delight. However, it should be noted, the meter is very forced, but it does keep young and old readers focused.

 

Links: http://www.amazon.com/Steamduck-Learns-FLY-Steampunk-Picture/dp/0984902813

Steampunk Alphabet

On By The LibrarianIn Book Reviews - NonFictionLeave a comment

Author: Written & Illustrated by Nathanael Iwafa
Series:-

Age/Audience: Children 4+

Genre/Style: Alphabet and rhyme book, art book

Read If You Like: Art books, easy rhymes, nonfiction children’s books, abecedary books

 

Summary:

This chunky, thick-paged, brightly illustrated alphabet book has a little something for everyone. For early readers the playful rhymes describe a mix of reality and make-believe. Four line poems about A for Apple, F for Fish, P for Purse, and Z for Zipper match a bright original illustration for the steampunk adaptation of that item. For example, the Apple here is not a fruit, but a modified music box used as a listening device. Each poem is paired with a small prose description of the item in more detail. For adults the art is surely inspirational, and offer a great discussion and imagination starter with youngsters.

 

Bottom Line: Cute, bright, and highly imaginative Steampunk Alphabet offers a new spin on early rhyme readers and is approachable but far from boring.

 

Links:

Peak Inside: http://www.amazon.com/Steampunk-Alphabet-Nat-Iwata/dp/1937359409

A Lady’s Experiences in the Wild West in 1883

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Author: Rose Render (forward by A B Guthrie, Jr)
Series: –

Age/Audience: Teens with an interest in the wild west, adults

Genre/Style: Travel narrative

Read If You Like: Authentic, sassy, Victorian travel narratives, stories about the American West

Summary:

Mrs. Rose Render’s hyperbolic narrative of her travels through the 19th century is unlike a traditional nonfiction: the line is much more blurry. Though technically a nonfiction book this reads like a narrative thanks to the reflective nature of the writing and the added structural elements. Carrying with her a large collection of luggage, her husband, and her aristocratic English attitude Mrs. Render offers a unique perspective on the West. Her story describes all the details you would hope to find in historic nonfiction – descriptions of the New York style of train luggage porting, interactions between the social classes, and a colorful explanation of the cattle ranching process circa 1883. This little (130 pages) book offers a lot to different readers. You get to enjoy the insight of authentic Victorian travel stories, but you also get Mrs. Render’s hyperbolic, extravagant point of view.

 

Bottom Line:

Nonfiction for those that don’t like reading nonfiction. This is the kind of book to shake someone out of a reading rut: a mix of styles, a unique voice, and quick enough to read in a day or two.

Read More:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2363446.A_Lady_s_Experience_in_the_Wild_West_in_1883?from_search=true

Find It:

http://www.worldcat.org/title/ladys-experiences-in-the-wild-west-in-1883/oclc/3966017

Steampunk Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein

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Author: Mary Shelley, Illustrations by Zdenko Bašić and Manuel Sumberac
Series: –

Age/Audience: Late teens

Genre/Style: Classic horror

Read If You Like: Frankenstein, Victorian Monsters, Classics

Summary:

The story – Victor Frankenstein is an up and coming scientist from a Geneva aristocratic family. After the death of his mother from scarlet fever, he is inspired to finish his studies so he can return to Geneva and marry his childhood sweetheart Elizabeth and complete his family once again. While at school Victor becomes obsessed with natural philosophy, and the notion that he could do the unthinkable, give life back to the dead. After months of study and midnight experiments he finally manages to create his masterpiece. But genius isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and soon things are far beyond Frankenstein’s control. As the death toll grows, is there anything that can be done to stop The Monster?

The Adaptation – I had a hard time deciding how I felt about this particular edition of Frankenstein. Given the heft of the book, and the obvious intention for it to be a steampunk adaptation through the inclusion of new illustration, not modification of the text I expected a lot more. Shelley’s original story is presented in half filled pages paired with too small illustrations too far in between. The kicker, though, is the illustrations are barely steampunk. They are filled with gears and goggles, but nothing functional and nothing in detail. I had very high hopes and this simply didn’t meet them. The cover, however, is fantastic to look at. If only the insides were as intriguing.

 

Bottom Line:

Not worth the weight. If you want a fantastically steampunk illustrated Frankenstein look into Gris Grimly’s Frankenstein.

Read More:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19978286-steampunk

Find It:

http://www.worldcat.org/title/steampunk-mary-shelleys-frankenstein/oclc/864545382

Costume in Detail: 1730 to 1930

On By The LibrarianIn Book Reviews - NonFiction9 Comments

Author: Nancy Bradfield
Series: –

Age/Audience: Those in the “fashion know” or with a Google window open

Genre/Style: Nonfiction fashion history, illustrations/diagrams

Read If You Like: History of fashion, change in fashion over time

 

Summary:

This non-fiction, period illustrated, detail oriented book is not aimed at a mass-market. Instead Bradfield is speaking to people who already have an assumed base understanding in fashion/textiles, most notably the specific vocabulary used in the time periods covered. The book is filled with illustrations, though, to support understanding – but anyone who is unsure what a hooped petticoat or a crinoline might be is advised to have Google open on the side.

For steampunk enthusiasts this book offers itself up to many uses. For costume design, the detailed diagrams and illustrations offer inspiration and creation considerations, giving creators options to pick and choose pieces from the whole Victorian era to match their need. For researchers and writers Bradfield has created a one-stop-shop for vocabulary and description of period-correct dress for women (with a few nods to men’s fashion, too). Also particularly important for writers, Bradfield keeps styles separated by year. While many people view Victorian costume as all one style, there were a wide variety of fashions by year, just as we have today. One of the most notable fluctuations is in the size and detail of the bustle, which comes through both in the illustrations and Bradfield’s commentary.

 

Bottom Line:

A fantastic and detailed resource for writers and researchers who want to use correct fashions and vocabulary.

Read More:

Find It: http://www.worldcat.org/title/costume-in-detail-womens-dress-1730-1930-written-and-illustrated-by-nancy-bradfield/oclc/635681065

Steampunk Your Wardrobe: Easy Projects to Add Victorian Flair to Everyday Fashions

On By The LibrarianIn Book Reviews - NonFiction1 Comment

Author: Calisa Taylor
Series: –

Age/Audience: 13+ (with supervision, most projects require a sewing machine and/or hot glue)

Genre/Style: DIY/Fashion

Read If You Like: Making your own costume items, low-key steampunk fashion you can wear every day, DIY crafting

 

Summary:

This particular DIY book is one of my favorites. Taylor focuses on a lot of pieces in Steampunk fashion; from the subtle Victorian-esque shrug you can wear every day to the more obvious costume pieces for dedicated cosplayers. Taylor also gives from-the-beginning instructions, explaining the purpose/use of sewing machine feet and the importance of correct measurements. She also includes more craft-like pieces such as a mini-top hat, a flask, and a purse that can be used to add personal touches to purchased costumes. Her book is filled with large, detailed photographs to help guide you through construction and several pieces start with pre-purchased coats or sweaters allowing users to up-cycle their wardrobe. From this one volume you could make a full steam character (pantaloons, shirt, waist cinches, vest, hat, and jacket) or pick and choose for your own style. For readers who are, ahem, bustier, like me, the pattern to make your own lacey shirt is particularly handy.

 

Bottom Line:

I great book for inspiration and guidance aimed at novice costumers. The mini-top hat pattern and tutorial is exceptionally good.

Look Inside: http://www.amazon.com/Steampunk-Your-Wardrobe-Victorian-Originals/dp/1574214179

 

Lady Mechanika

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Author: Joe Benitez
Series: Comic series, 3 volumes to date

Age/Audience: Teens and Adults equally

Genre/Style: Comic serial, mystery, supernatural

Read If You Like: Mechanics mixed with demonology, strong females, dark edgy comic styles

 

Summary:

The tabloids call her Lady Mechanika, but she doesn’t know what to call herself. Part female serial killer survivor, part mechanical-body-parts experiment Mechanika roams the streets of Victorian London hoping that solving unusual cases might give her insight to her previous life. When a mechanic-demon is found roaming the streets, Mechanika hopes he can answer her questions. But when weapons manufacturer Blackpool gets involved in the hunt, things get much more complicated, and Mechanika will have to do what she does best: kick some ass.

Bottom Line: An action filled comic with creative, pure Steampunk art hosted online with a great in-browser reader.

 

Read More: http://www.joebenitez.com/mechanika.htm

Find It: https://www.comixology.com/Lady-Mechanika-Vol-1/comics-series/4721 (PS Vol. 0 is FREE, the rest only $1.99 each)

Steampunk (2008 Anthology)

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Author: Ann & Jeff Vandermeer, Editors
Series: Followed by Steampunk II

Age/Audience: Adults

Genre/Style: Varies by story

Read If You Like: Short stories, a lot of variety, light-steampunk, or introductions to authors

 

Summary:

This collection of stories is, eclectic, to say the least. Styles range from Western Mysteries, excerpts from larger adventure stories, short sci-fi, and some non-fiction essays. However, it’s blessing is also it’s curse. While the stories range offers a lot to readers who are wholly unfamiliar with the genre, tried and true steampunk fans may be frustrated at the lack of flying machines, automatons, altered costuming, and general “can do” spirit steampunk is known for. With the exception of a few stories, most pieces in the collection are very steampunk light, meaning they have very few steam elements, or those elements aren’t spot lighted in the story over all.

Bottom Line: While the stories are interesting and well written, with the exception of Lansdale’s piece that reads as if it was written by a prepubescent boy, they aren’t focused enough for me to recommend this as a preferred steampunk collection.

 

Read More, including a full author list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2246092.Steampunk

Find It:

http://www.worldcat.org/title/steampunk/oclc/182733030&referer=brief_results