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billmcscifi's review
5.0
Set in an alternate timeline where librarians control what knowledge is, and is not, made available, Pratima’s Engines is a fascinating look at an alternate reality. There are two short stories, the titular one, and Lakisha Decides. The former is set in India and the latter in the American South. In these, Steampunk inspired, stories readers are introduced to a world war is a bare memory but technology is kept at a bare minimum. Society is, essentially, feudal with librarians being the dominant class.
In order for this type of society to work Gibson has given librarians sets of skills not normally associated with the profession; they are skilled spies, weapons experts, and fighters. But they also maintain all the traditional attributes of being roving scholars.
In the first book Pratima is a spy sent to discover whether a Dike is violating the laws and attempting to overthrow the government. She is aided in her duties by the story’s narrator, a deaf girl named Ameena. Together they have to navigate political intrigues, social prejudices which apply to the handicapped and women, and work out how best to save the day. It’s a great read and an enticing vignette into a new world.
In Lakisha Decides we are introduced to a young lady named Lakisha. A young, African-American, girl who is coming into her own and shows the potential for rising above her social status. She assists, and later befriends, a librarian named Asante. In this story corrupt businessmen are attempting to cheat land owners out of their lands and possessions. To do this they must first destroy all the records and titles kept in the libraries. This book has far more librarian directed action than you might expect at a library, but it’s a fun read and Gibson nails the local patios with ease.
I honestly enjoyed both books and would happily recommend them to you.
In order for this type of society to work Gibson has given librarians sets of skills not normally associated with the profession; they are skilled spies, weapons experts, and fighters. But they also maintain all the traditional attributes of being roving scholars.
In the first book Pratima is a spy sent to discover whether a Dike is violating the laws and attempting to overthrow the government. She is aided in her duties by the story’s narrator, a deaf girl named Ameena. Together they have to navigate political intrigues, social prejudices which apply to the handicapped and women, and work out how best to save the day. It’s a great read and an enticing vignette into a new world.
In Lakisha Decides we are introduced to a young lady named Lakisha. A young, African-American, girl who is coming into her own and shows the potential for rising above her social status. She assists, and later befriends, a librarian named Asante. In this story corrupt businessmen are attempting to cheat land owners out of their lands and possessions. To do this they must first destroy all the records and titles kept in the libraries. This book has far more librarian directed action than you might expect at a library, but it’s a fun read and Gibson nails the local patios with ease.
I honestly enjoyed both books and would happily recommend them to you.
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