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A review by sonofthe
Rupetta by Nike Sulway
4.0
Death gives meaning to life. I've seen that sentiment repeated in different ways, in many places.
Love brings meaning to life. Filial and paternal love. Fraternal and sororal love. Erotic love. In love, there's a spark that can pass from one person to another, rejuvenating them, sustaining them for a time, all because of a meaningful look, a familiar glance, a routine act of devoted love.
Life and death are forever at odds. At least, that's the way it plays out in this story. Immortality versus mortality. Each envy the other what they cannot have. Each makes the other into hyperbole.
On the surface, Rupetta is about a mechanical woman. A marvel of technology, created by a genius, never to be repeated. Her existence changes the world. From her come the inspiration for all sorts of mechanical marvels: Wynder lights; clockwork toys; airships; ominous bladed mounts. Power structures change based on people's relationship to her, changing the history of our world into something else.
But there's a sort of spiritual connection between Rupetta and each woman in the long line of her Wynders. Never stated explicitly, the Wynding that keeps Rupetta going is more than just a mechanical winding of a mainspring. There's some sort of life that passes from each Wynder to Rupetta, and a sharing of thoughts and memories. Those around her think she's eternal, but she still relies on others like a parasite or vampire. Or maybe it's simpler. In a way, we all live off the death of other things, other animals and plants.
Rupetta, the novel, seems initially like it'll be just another steampunk story, but I'm glad it isn't. Most steampunk stories seem cliche and tropy to me, so I've avoided them. Rupetta, though, rises above my stereotype. I saw Nike Sulway get her Tiptree award, and heard lots of interesting discussion about the book in panels throughout WisCon weekend. Still, my anti-steampunk bias kept from reading the book. Until now.
I'm so glad I read it.
Love brings meaning to life. Filial and paternal love. Fraternal and sororal love. Erotic love. In love, there's a spark that can pass from one person to another, rejuvenating them, sustaining them for a time, all because of a meaningful look, a familiar glance, a routine act of devoted love.
Life and death are forever at odds. At least, that's the way it plays out in this story. Immortality versus mortality. Each envy the other what they cannot have. Each makes the other into hyperbole.
On the surface, Rupetta is about a mechanical woman. A marvel of technology, created by a genius, never to be repeated. Her existence changes the world. From her come the inspiration for all sorts of mechanical marvels: Wynder lights; clockwork toys; airships; ominous bladed mounts. Power structures change based on people's relationship to her, changing the history of our world into something else.
But there's a sort of spiritual connection between Rupetta and each woman in the long line of her Wynders. Never stated explicitly, the Wynding that keeps Rupetta going is more than just a mechanical winding of a mainspring. There's some sort of life that passes from each Wynder to Rupetta, and a sharing of thoughts and memories. Those around her think she's eternal, but she still relies on others like a parasite or vampire. Or maybe it's simpler. In a way, we all live off the death of other things, other animals and plants.
Rupetta, the novel, seems initially like it'll be just another steampunk story, but I'm glad it isn't. Most steampunk stories seem cliche and tropy to me, so I've avoided them. Rupetta, though, rises above my stereotype. I saw Nike Sulway get her Tiptree award, and heard lots of interesting discussion about the book in panels throughout WisCon weekend. Still, my anti-steampunk bias kept from reading the book. Until now.
I'm so glad I read it.