The Guns Above, by
Robin Bennis (Tor)
Just wonderful! This steampunk military drama incorporates
brilliantly realized airship technology, with the same level of loving detail
and respect for the resourcefulness of the people on those ships as found in
Patrick O’Brien’s novels, with international intrigue, military maneuvers and
derring-do.
Josette Dupre, one of the few women aviators in a made-up European
country, became captain of her own airship almost by accident by being the
highest-ranking surviving officer after a disastrous battle. Her troubles are
only beginning, though, for she is sent on patrol with a crew that doubts her
abilities, an experimental airship that is likely a death trap, and a dandified
observer with a secret mission to prove women have no place in the air corps.
Josette has a complex, appealing blend of confidence based on experience, keen
common sense, bravery, and self-doubt. The book is nicely paced, full of
exciting twists, and intriguing technology. As with the O’Brien books, I was
struck by the level of scientific, engineering, and mathematical knowledge of
the airmen. I’m not a military buff, but I found the action engrossing and the
characters appealing. The sly humor, aimed mostly at the dandified aristocracy,
added a wonderful touch. I found the geography and political history of the
various fictional countries unnecessary and confusing at first, detracting from
the dramatic action, and would have preferred closer parallels with existing
European states. Otherwise, this was a fun, lively, and ultimately satisfying
read.
I’ve
been reading the C. S. Forester “Horatio Hornblower” novels, one after
the other. It’s really my husband’s fault. He’s usually extraordinarily
recalcitrant about watching movies, whether at home or in a theater. One
Friday night, he indicated his willingness to consider it, so we looked
over the DVD collection and embarked upon the A & E “Hornblower”
series at the sedate pace of one-episode-per-week. (Of course, we did
not stop there, but proceeded to Master and Commander and the
1951 Hornblower movie with Gregory Peck and Virginia Mayo.) For those
who have not had the pleasure of reading these stories, Horatio
Hornblower is a fictional naval officer during the Napoleonic Wars.
Actual events and personages are woven into the tales, although Forester
takes care that the exploits of his hero do not alter history.