The two leading "cyberpunk" authors have joined together to produce an alternate history novel. The premise is that Charles Babbage did build his Analytical Engine and that a steam-driven information age has developed as a result — and Britain is under the control of capitalists and intellectuals under the leadership of none other than Lord Byron. The Difference Engine is the kind of political/underworld/espionage thriller one would expect from the authors, but while it was a fun read and had some cute ideas it didn't really live up to my expectations. In particular both the beginning and the ending seemed flat.

April 1992

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Related reviews:

- books by Bruce Sterling
- more alternative history