Gail Carriger’s Parasolverse

Parasolverse is the name given to the universe in which are set several series of books and books written by Gail Carriger.
The name comes from the name of her first series in that universe, “The Parasol Protectorate”.

This very well thought out universe is steampunk with fantasy elements, making it potentially fit into the gaslamp fantasy category.

It’s set during the Victorian era, but in which technology is more developed and in a reality in which ether exists.
Ether is an element that the ancient Greeks situated as being in the top parts of the sky. It’s found in several theories in the field of physics until the early 20th Century. Its existence hasn’t been proved so it is admitted that it does not exist. (If I’ve understood what I’ve read correctly.)
In the parasolverse this element is associated with the soul – too much of it allows one to become a werewolf, a vampire or a ghost; the lack of it is rare and negates the effects of having too much of it. It also has practical uses, such as long distance communication as well as faster air travel.

 

I must specify that there are LGBTQ+ characters in each series, and some books are dedicated to them. If you have a problem with that, this is not for you.

 

Let me introduce the three main series, in order of publication of the first book in each.
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Steampunk, n.

Designed by Vectorpocket / Freepik

The story of “the little hedgehog who wanted to pilot a dirigible” is set in a steampunk universe.
Since I didn’t know whether you knew what it was, I decided to give you a (very) brief overview.

 

From the Merriam-Webster dictionary :
steampunk, noun

steam·​punk | \ ˈstēm-ˌpəŋk \

: science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology

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« The Forty Rules of Love » by Elif Shafak

My summer read to end this month under the theme of summer and back to school.

 

My mother and a friend both recommended this book and I thank them for it.

I have read a criticism that Elif Shafak separates, or moves away, Sufi mysticism from Islam in this book, and that the image of it being put forward is not (quite) the truth of this philosophy.
I couldn’t tell, but I prefer to let you know.
This book might not be an introduction to Sufi mysticism.

What it is, though, is an introduction to Love, or a reminder.
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