The Diamond Age

As one of the founding fathers of Nanopunk, Neal Stephenson’s writings form a straightforward bridge between Postcyberpunk and Neon Science-Fiction. His novel is a collection of exotic technologies like matter compilers, smart paper, immunity-enhancing particles, and foldable transportable mech-horses. Eventually, I found myself inspired to create exotic tech of my own (e.g. foods, arts, weapons, and technologies fully based on “Dark”, an unconstructed area of “empty space” featured somewhat heavily in my neon sci-fi novel). Stephenson’s novel also depicts an extremely globalized future, founded on molecular nanotech, rapidly assembled usable goods, and socio-cultural division. The title’s allusion to a “Diamond… show more.

Neal Stephenson released The Diamond Age in 1992 and along with The Difference Engine and Kim Newman’s memorable Anno Dracula (Count Dracula marries Queen Victoria) it picked up the baton of Powers, Jeter, and Blaylock and kicked off what I call the Second Wave of Steampunk The Diamond Age projects Steampunk into the future in a classic spec fic ‘What if this goes on?’ scenario, with the neo-Victorians managing a world where nanotechnology is ubiquitous.

Stephenson is another of my favourite authors and this excursion into Steampunk territory is full of his usual mix of erudition, wit, mindboggling concepts,… show more.