A review by smorancie
Lord Kelvin's Machine by James P. Blaylock

5.0

I have always loved Blaylock's writing. Especially the characters who muddle through, who figure out what is going on at about the same time as the reader, who latch onto odd things to mentally help themselves (cottage pie!) and the language choices - absurd, rich, and often funny. The plot books do not always make sense until suddenly they do and you realize all those side plots and internal dialogue of the characters really have contributed to the whole and are a lot like how we all think as we go about doing things (like, doing something despite not wanting to be embarrassed and hoping for the best). These are normal people just trying their best and them fumble about like we do. Maybe, as I get older, that is what I like most - characters that aren't superheroes or with extra special powers, but ones who make a difference anyway.

I mean, how can you not love a genius scientist who tries to invent dried coffee pills? Or, exploding baskets of fruit? Or, the perfect accent by the narrator of a kindly farmer who doesn't like scientists, excepting his Lordship Kelvin? Plus, a sheep dog!

The narrator for this was particularly good. Made the book even better.