Book Review: Uprising

The setting is New York, 1911. Three bold, rebellious heroines seek to bring an end to the gritty industrial system that oppresses them. But Margret Peterson Haddix's Uprising is not steampunk, really. There's no fantasy or science fiction here--just three hundred pages of cold, hard reality.

The Plot: Uprising chronicles the events leading up to the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, via fictional characters Bella, Yetta, and Jane. Bella, a newly arrived Italian immigrant, Yetta, a rebellious-to-the-core factory worker, and Jane, the bored daughter of a successful businessman (a Victorian novel cliche, I know, but actually pulled off fairly well in this case), are drawn together by their involvement in a strike at Bella and Yetta's workplace, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The three of them form an alliance, and eventually a close friendship, doomed to be put to an end by a tragic accident.

The Good Stuff: This is among the most moving books I've read, bound to get at least something of an emotional reaction from just about any reader. For all its emotional-ness, however, it's one of the few Victorian/Edwardian books I've read that takes a more or less objective look at the issues of the day. Haddix addresses the unfairness of the Gilded Age class system while portraying the factory bosses--technically the villains of the story--as humans with families and insecurities and occasional moments of kindness, and even makes strong points about the suffrage movement without falling into the Men Are Evil Trap, which is understandably easy for historical writers to fall into.

The Bad Stuff: This book is just sad. Yes, I know, I said the same thing in The Good Stuff. It's one of those books. With just about any novel about a historical disaster, it's more or less a foregone conclusion that most of the characters will die. Even so, that's almost a strength rather than a flaw; the continuous knowledge that these carefully-crafted characters are being raised for the slaughter gets quite heartbreaking at points.
At some points this seems a little forced, in a This-Author-is-Most-Definitely-Trying-to-Make-Me-Cry kind of way, but then again, it worked on me quite effectively.
The one thing that's apt to turn readers off is how overtly political it is. Mind you, said politics are of 100+ years ago, so what was extreme leftism then is pretty rational by today's standards. Even so, readers unfamiliar with turn-of-the-century politics might be unnerved by how cheerfully the word "socialism" is thrown around.

The Verdict: If you're looking for a lighthearted adventure, this isn't it. But if you're into the more anti-establishment, politically-based side of steampunk, I urge you to read it, just so long as you have a plethora of tissues on hand.

Steampunk Philosophy: Steampunk, Punk, and DIY

            Like most steampunks, I initially attached myself to the scene for the gears, airships, and other assorted awesomeness, and thus paid little notice to the political and philosophical meaning behind it.

            But really, if we’re going to wear such attention-getting and outlandish outfits, should they not represent something more significant than “look at me; I’m wearing a bustle!”?

            Since some steampunks are more hardcore about this than others, it tends to be a pretty touchy subject. In my case, the hardcore punks—those who threaten to pull out their steam-powered ray guns on anyone who dares to walk into a store—nearly scared me out of the steampunk world altogether.

            At the center of steampunk philosophy is the “do-it-yourself” (DIY) mentality: being a producer rather than a mere consumer, and finding more pride in a job well done than a purchase well bought. The motivations behind this vary from steampunk to steampunk. For many, its about keeping oneself out of the control of the “fat cats” at the top of the business world—hence it is very much acceptable for a steampunk to buy things used or from small businesses—or about separating oneself from mainstream society.

            However, I personally would caution the steampunk movement against turning into a bunch of angry anarchists hating on Wal-Mart… Well, maybe a little Wal-Mart hating, but let’s not let it get out of hand.

            For me, it’s about creativity and frugality. DIY, I believe, should be appreciated for what it is, rather than simply a way to claim dominance over the “brainless masses.”

            With that said, I strongly recommend that every steampunk at least attempt it. Even if your work turns out looking like crap, it gives an undeniable thrill of creating, a source of pride in one’s own work, and an ultimate expression of individuality. Plus, wouldn’t it be nice to know that if there was ever a disastrous apocalypse, you just might be able to get along without fast food or department stores? Not sure I could handle the zombies, though.

            I say that steampunk is about living, not just existing. It’s about finding something to do other than just rotting in a cubicle, and making something other than just money. That’s what steampunk is: allow yourself to think on your own; don’t let your creativity die.