Dieselpunk + Steampunk Culture
Noir, by K.W. Jeter
Noir, by K.W. Jeter, is something that I definitely would call dieselpunk, though it's the reverse of the normal method. Most dieselpunk (or steampunk) is in the era, i.e., 1940's, but an alternate history that features technologies only dreamed of at the time. For dieselpunk, that often means rocket-packs, ray-guns, or enormous zeppelins. this novel works the other way.
It's a story that takes place well into the future about a man named McNihil, who out of a love for the days gone by that he sees in old movies, has implants placed in his eyes that force him to see everything as a noir movie.
He sees only in black and white, and people appear to be wearing era appropriate clothing. All objects appear translated to his eyes as their 1940's version, such as a phone that appears to be a clunky wooden wire phone.
He's willing to live like that, despite a few obvious draw-backs. For one, if there is anything that has no translation to the 40's, a tool or device, it simply does not appear to him at all. As an investigator, this occasionally limits him in his work, and life. Women appear as dames with gams up to here, and so it makes it difficult to read people.
Overall, the novel starts out with this brilliant premise, but then turns into a mess by the end. While I thought that the story was a mess, I would still recommend it, just for the premise and visuals alone.
Tags: novels
Views: 27
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Deven Science on -
It really is fascinating, and I'd love to see a cleaned up version made into a movie. I can see a director making use of seeing things altermately from McNihil's perspective, then reality.
Eva Kamm said:Even if it is a mess, I'd like to read it. Pretty unusual.
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Permalink Reply by Eva Kamm on -
It could be amazing, with a proper setting/detalization, old school effects and sensible director.
Deven Science said:It really is fascinating, and I'd love to see a cleaned up version made into a movie. I can see a director making use of seeing things altermately from McNihil's perspective, then reality.
Eva Kamm said:Even if it is a mess, I'd like to read it. Pretty unusual.
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Permalink Reply by Deven Science on
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Hope you like it!
Larry said:I just placed my order with Amazon. :)
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Permalink Reply by Deven Science on
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Did you finish Noir, Larry? What did you think?
Larry said:I just placed my order with Amazon. :)
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Permalink Reply by Larry on -
I'm embarrassed to say that while I got it I haven't read it. It's still sitting on my book shelf.
Deven Science said:Did you finish Noir, Larry? What did you think?
Larry said:I just placed my order with Amazon. :)
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