Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by annmarie_in_november
The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder
2.0
I have long loved and adored the idea of steampunk but had yet to read a novel in that genre, until I picked up this book a few weeks ago. I felt somehow deflated after just a few chapters - though I'd never read a steampunk novel yet as I said, so many of the inventions and machines felt incredibly familiar, overly contrived or just plain fell flat in some cases (swearing messenger birds?). I also found it incredibly short-sighted and a little patronising that in this "Albertian" Britain, in which the course of the 1800s has been so radically altered, that the one thing which has stayed the same as in Victorian Britain is female oppression and male dominance. The male characters, Burton, Swinburne, Trounce, Oliphant, Honesty, Jack, Beresford, Quips, Darwin, Pennyforth, Palmerstone, Brunel.... I could go on - they swagger, giggle, glare, invent, fight, adventure, impart wisdom, rescue, and collectively, change the course of history, and break down the barriers of what would have been their Victorian world. However, the few female characters, coincidentaly enough slot right into what would have been their accepted Victorian roles as nurses, housekeepers, and prospective wives.
As for the main characters, I confess to feeling ambivalent toward Burton and his stoic man quest, and a little irritated by Swinburne's mischief and histrionics. On the whole however, as they pull the mystery together and work on it in their own ways, I was drawn in, and did enjoy the ride, especially the addition of Trounce. I found Hodder's prose a little repetitive, especially the phrase 'the King's agent' and the constant reminders about Swinburne's small stature and his love of pain. I was also a little disappointed by the reveal of Spring-Heeled Jack's story, a bit sudden and inelegant I thought.
I did give the book 3/5 stars though, because I was entertained by a rollicking tale in the end, and that's what I went in looking for. I am interested enough to read the second Burton and Swinburne story, and I'm hoping for the inclusion of more female characters, and a less repetitive writing style.
As for the main characters, I confess to feeling ambivalent toward Burton and his stoic man quest, and a little irritated by Swinburne's mischief and histrionics. On the whole however, as they pull the mystery together and work on it in their own ways, I was drawn in, and did enjoy the ride, especially the addition of Trounce. I found Hodder's prose a little repetitive, especially the phrase 'the King's agent' and the constant reminders about Swinburne's small stature and his love of pain. I was also a little disappointed by the reveal of Spring-Heeled Jack's story, a bit sudden and inelegant I thought.
I did give the book 3/5 stars though, because I was entertained by a rollicking tale in the end, and that's what I went in looking for. I am interested enough to read the second Burton and Swinburne story, and I'm hoping for the inclusion of more female characters, and a less repetitive writing style.