The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha PulleyWhat a strange, dream-like, and enchanting novel this turned out to be. I've had mixed feelings about steam punk novels, enjoying some and finding others more concerned about steam punk elements than plot or character.
This strange little novel is a bit confusing at first because the magical and clairvoyant aspects are not immediately clear, and yet the writing and mystery engaged me from the beginning.
The more you read, the more you doubt the various characters. Well, Thaniel Steepleton seems reliable (if uncertain and with good reason), but Grace Carrow, Matsumoto, and Keito Mori are enigmatic. Good or bad or caught up in circumstances...hard to tell.
Mori, the watchmaker, is the most interesting. He has the ability to--not "remember" the future, but to "remember" future possibilities that may or may not come to pass. In some cases, he is able to manipulate the possibilities to his own preferred outcomes. But not always.
Pulley leads the reader down several twisting paths, keeping the reader always a bit uncertain about who to trust, but always intrigued and curious.
I thoroughly enjoyed being misled, confused, and always engaged with the quirky characters and uncanny elements of Pulley's debut novel!
Read in April. Blog post scheduled for June 30, 2015.
NetGalley/Bloomsbury USA
Steampunk/Fantasy. July 14, 2015. Print length: 336 pages.
You're right, steampunk fiction can be very uneven. I keep trying it hoping I'll find a really good book, but it doesn't happen as often as I'd like. This one sounds interesting; I like the idea of 'remembering future possibilities'. Would you read this author again?
ReplyDelete:) When I do like a steam punk novel, it is never because of the steam punk elements. Either the author has a good story to tell, interesting characters, an intriguing/unusual approach to the subject matter, or a writing style that I enjoy. Usually, if I like the novel, I think the author should have just stuck to regular fantasy. I felt the same about this novel. I liked it because it pulled me in with the writing and the quirkiness. And yes, I would read more by Natasha Pulley.
DeleteThis sounds really fun! I love the notion of steampunk fiction while, like you, sometimes finding that in practice they don't concentrate on character as much as I'd want them to.
ReplyDeleteWatchmaker was curious and crafty, keeping you wrong-footed a lot of the time. I liked the lack of certainty in one way, but also felt that it was sometimes just confusing, and unnecessarily so. Still, there a fertile imagination at work and an inventive debut novel.
DeleteI'm not sure about this one; I rarely read steam punk novels but glad you enjoyed reading this. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting debut, and I enjoyed it. Watchmaker is a strange novel in both characters and premise, and I look forward to seeing how the author develops. I'd just as soon the steam punk elements be omitted, though. :)
DeleteI'm so glad you liked this one, Jenclair. I hope to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteI did think it was confusing at times, but still had a great deal to offer. Hope you like it!
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