- Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: Angry Robot (April 1 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0857660969
- ISBN-13: 978-0857660961
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 13 x 2.6 cm
- Shipping Weight: 240 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #984,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Product Description
WHEN GEORGE'S FATHER DIED, HE LEFT GEORGE HIS WATCHMAKER SHOP - AND MORE. But George has little talent for watches and other infernal devices. When someone tries to steal an old device from the premises, George finds himself embroiled in a mystery of time travel, music and sexual intrigue. The classic steampunk tale from the master of the genre. With a new introduction by the author, and an afterword by Jeff Vandermeer.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Needed to be more serious,
By
This review is from: Infernal Devices (Paperback)
This book had the potential to be one of my favorite books in the first 50 pages - but then it got to be more funny than scary. I still enjoyed it, but it just wasn't 'dark' enough. The use of slang from the future made it kind of ridiculous and the fact that the book is really just one continuous chase scene with a helpless hero is pretty absurd too.You'll need to stretch your imagination quite a bit on some of the ideas but all in all it was fun. Jeter is very creative and original, this is kind of a funny version of _The Anubis Gates_ and also similar to Gaiman's _Neverwhere_ and _The Physiognomy_ from Jeffrey Ford.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must! Completely entertaining.,
By A Customer
This review is from: Infernal Devices (Paperback)
This is a great book. Very fun to read. If you like James P. Blaylock, this is way better than Homuculus. Just read it. Dane
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.9 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews) 9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
An amusing steampunk romp,
By TChris - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Infernal Devices (Paperback)
In his introduction to this novel, K.W. Jeter discusses the steampunk phenomenon. Distilled to its essence, Jeter's explanation is: If you name it, they will come. Jeter coined the word steampunk; readers wanted this new thing called steampunk; writers filled the demand for steampunk. Although I'm not a big follower of steampunk, I am a fan of K.W. Jeter, and so I seized the opportunity to read Infernal Devices, first published in 1987 and now reissued by Angry Robot. I quickly found myself drawn into Jeter's sumptuous Nineteenth Century prose, which may have been modeled upon early H.G. Wells but brought to mind Arthur Conan Doyle.The story follows the hapless George Dower, son of a famous maker of timepieces and other intricate gadgetry, who inherited none of his father's talent but nonetheless keeps his shop open, eking out a living by making simple repairs to his father's mechanical creations. Dower is visited by the Brown Leather Man, who wants him to repair a mysterious device, and then by two people with odd speech patterns who seem intent on stealing the device. Dower's adventure takes him into a red light district whose inhabitants resemble fish and to an estate where he finds more of his father's gadgetry, including a machine that threatens the world. Infernal Devices succeeds as comedy (consistently amusing but rarely laugh out loud funny) and as a simple adventure story. It clearly isn't meant to be taken too seriously and that's the spirit in which I read and enjoyed it. As is often true of steampunk, the novel isn't straightforward science fiction. Some aspects of Infernal Devices border on fantasy; color me skeptical, but I doubt a lamp that sees into the future can be manufactured from the steampunk technology of springs and cogs (Jeter uses two characters who have seen the future to good comedic effect, contrasting the sensibilities of the Victorian era with the considerably more relaxed moral standards of the Twentieth Century). And then there's the member of an amphibious race who keeps turning up to give Dower an assist. It's all a bit odd and not to my usual taste, but it kept me smiling. If you enjoy steampunk and the elements of fantasy that are often associated with it, this novel should be a treat for you. If you prefer more conventional (but nonetheless outside-the-mainstream) science fiction, I'd recommend Jeter's The Glass Hammer. 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Steampunk Magic,
By Nicki J - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Infernal Devices (Mass Market Paperback)
For the first chapter or so, I really wasn't sure that I was going to like this book, but then suddenly the story grabbed hold of me and I was completely entranced.There is plenty of action in this fast paced novel and the main character is extremely likeable and well-rounded, which helps draw the reader in. Jeter was the one who coined the term 'steampunk' and there are so many great elements in this tale: historical setting, mechnical devises, glimpses of the future, supernatural creatures. It is packed full of wonderful visions and excitement. I liked how the style of the prose was very old-fashioned and Victorian as it really helped to set the scene and establish the time period. It also added a certain weight to the events as they unfolded. Another excellent feature of this book is the way Jeter lulls the reader into a sense of security - thinking they know what is happening and who is who - then shocks with a sudden plot twist that you didn't see coming. This is a great read for any steampunk fans as well as anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with a hint of mystery. I received this book as a free ebook ARC from NetGalley. 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
So awesome to see this back in print!!!,
By Victoria McManus - Published on Amazon.com
I was so excited to see that this book is once again available, both for Kindle and, soon, in paperback. If you're into steampunk as it is now, you must read this book, as it's one of the foundations of that subgenre.I particularly love the darkness of the mystery plot, and its interesting thematic implications revolving around clockwork automatons. |
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