This was a joy to write, and I even like how it came out. Emma is a wonderful writer, and it was honor to work with her. We wrote it just as it appears, by writing letters to each other, and let it develop as it went along. It’s a Victorian epistolary novel, or I suppose you could call it a fantasy for Hegelians.
Words fail me when I attempt to express how much I like this book.
Probably my favorite of your works, although I’ve enjoyed them all. i have’t read the sun, the moon and the stars yet.
Thanks!
The signed ARC of this is still one of three books I own that get to look smug and lord their specialness over all the others.
*grin*
So I am reading this now in ebook, and wishing (at about 33% in) that there was a family tree since it is getting a wee bit confusing. So I search online to see if anyone has made such a thing, only to learn that perhaps the print editions have one included that has been omitted from the ebook. Any chance it could be made available online for those of us reading the ebook?
It always annoys me when ebooks do that. Not our call, though. It’s up to the publisher. When I get home, in March, maybe remind me and I’ll see if I can find a way to scan it and put it up here, if Emma doesn’t mind.
This is your reminder to see if you can find a way to post the family tree… I’ve long since finished the book myself, but others might find it useful in the future!
Reminder noted.
I have read this book at least once a year since it came out, and some years more than that. It’s a comfort and also a puzzle—still finding new things with each read. I always want more of these characters. And I wish there were an audio book!
Just re-read this for the first time in a while (after giving a copy to a co-worker, who is thoroughly enjoying it) and was struck by the thought, was James (or any of the crew) meddled with? Was one of SALT secretly hiding in the pages? C——, perhaps!? If so, was his stem lost forever or…?
*edited for potential spoilerage
Freudas: It’s not impossible.
@Freudas and @skzb
Love this idea. I can envision easily envision Celeste’s meddlework in some of this.
And Susan does make an appearance in The Skill of our Hands.
I had forgotten all about that, making it a great time to do a re-read. Meant stub previously, mis-remembered as stem, apologies. On a side note I think the Incrementalists link between the Socialism FAQ and the Increm. GS is not directing to where it is supposed to be directing (or…is it?), heh. Definitely NSFW currently, for anyone else clicking it for scientific reasons.