The Difference Engine
1990 alternative history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the novel. For the machine designed by Charles Babbage, see Difference engine. For the album by Beaver, see The Difference Engine (album).
The Difference Engine (1990) is an alternative history novel by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. It is widely regarded as a book that helped establish the genre conventions of steampunk.
Quick Facts Author, Language ...
Author | William Gibson and Bruce Sterling |
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Language | English |
Genre | Alternate history, steampunk |
Publisher | Victor Gollancz Ltd |
Publication date | September 1990 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
Pages | 383 pp (Paperback – 429 pages) |
ISBN | 0-575-04762-3 |
OCLC | 21299781 |
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It posits a Victorian era Britain in which great technological and social change has occurred after entrepreneurial inventor Charles Babbage succeeded in his ambition to build a mechanical computer (actually his Analytical Engine rather than the difference engine).
The novel was nominated for the British Science Fiction Award in 1990, the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1991, and both the John W. Campbell Memorial Award and the Prix Aurora Award in 1992.