
The Difference Engine
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Narrated by:
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Simon Vance
The Difference Engine is an alternate history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. It is a prime example of the steampunk sub-genre; It posits a Victorian Britain in which great technological and social change has occurred after entrepreneurial inventor Charles Babbage succeeded in his ambition to build a mechanical computer called Engines.
The fierce summer heat and pollution have driven the ruling class out of London and the resulting anarchy allows technology-hating Luddites to challenge the intellectual elite.
A set of perforated punch cards come into the hands of the daughter of an executed Luddite leader who sets out to keep them safe and discover what secrets they contain.
©1991 William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.Listeners also enjoyed...




















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The steampunk components introduce a mechanical equivalent of electronic computer capabilities including modeling dinosaur structures from bones, video projections, and law enforcement forensic analysis. Historical figures are utilized extensively, while positing that England retained superior economic dominance due to Babbage's technology. A whole section near the end provides a global perspective with a divided America and Britain opening up Japan.
Given the British setting, the narration is quite good with all appropriately rendered British accents in an easily understand manner.
Steampunk alternative history
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Not Gibson's Best
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Where does The Difference Engine rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
This is the first I've listened to from Audible.What did you like best about this story?
The characterization by the reader set the town for the book.Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
On occasion, laughter, but mostly rapt attention.Any additional comments?
Looking forward to the next selection.Loved It!
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If you could sum up The Difference Engine in three words, what would they be?
First Class Alternative HistoryWhat did you like best about this story?
The rich detail and reimagining of Victorian England if Babbage's difference engine had been fully funded by Parliament. Very clever historically - something quite difficult to make believable but Gibson and Sterling achieved it. Plot was quite engaging - unable to put it down. Lot's of action and plot twists that keep one engaged.Which scene was your favorite?
The beginning of the harassment by Captain Swan - the burning acid card and then the falsified vivisection photos of the savant's rival.Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Would like to read at one setting but at the book's length that's not practicalAny additional comments?
Braved many negative reviews before I decide to select this audible book. Find it interesting that it seems to arose such negativity in many readers. Expect it is a bit complicated and challenging from the standpoint of understanding the history well enough to grasp how artfully the authors rearrange it. Not for the slow witted I suppose.Brilliant and Captivating
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a challenge to get through
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I didn't "get" it
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I've definitely had better
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Still a story worth listening too, just not first rate.
Simon Vance is excellent as always, Gibson not so
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Steampunk before steampunk was cool
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Regarding the plot, it’s worth warning you that this novel has a reputation for being often picked up, but seldom finished. That is because it’s a pretty complex read already, made more difficult by a noir detective plot that’s kind of all over the place. That said, I finished it and if you can make it to the ending there is a twist that explains why the story was told that way. Also, for what it’s worth, you get a lot more out of this a second time around.
As for the narration, this is definitely easier to listen to than it is to read. Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators, so I’m biased towards any performance of his. That said, this is an extremely verbose novel with some fairly dense sections to it; and Vance still nails it. Overall, if I’ve at all piqued your interest give The Difference Engine a whirl. You’re in for quite the ride.
Steampunk Neuromancer
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