Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbear_nc
I've read a lot of steampunk, and yes, they get long and drawn out. But I think it's on purpose. Steampunk centers on the fusion of modern or futuristic (even magical) tropes onto past events or genres, esp. onto the Industrial Revolution - hence the name. In doing so, authors (IMHO) try to emulate the literary conventions of the former times - which were nothing, if not, long-winded and overly descriptive. The charm, if you will, of the new genre rests in the unexpected or sometimes grotesque appearance of something you recognize as modern, or even futuristic, in the midst of a long passage describing something you recognize from the past - which is accepted by the characters as perfectly normal. Sort of an "Aha" or "Wow" moment for the reader. And it's all worked into the narrative flow.
Looking up, I may have just reproduced your criticism in my explanation.
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I think so!
The long descriptions that go nowhere -- that don't advance the plot -- drive me crazy. I like a faster pace. That's what most bothers me about the fantasy genre today: the pacing is soooo sloooooww.
I also feel that this book would be half the length if all uses of the word "vertiginous" were cut.