11.12: Idea as Subgenre, With Nancy Fulda

Natasha Pulley's "The Watchmaker of Filigree Street" is a historical fantasy novel set in Victorian London. The story follows a Japanese watchmaker who crafts extraordinary timepieces with unique capabilities. A mystery unfolds as these watches are misused, leading to intriguing consequences. The novel blends historical detail with fantastical elements, creating a captivating narrative. Pulley's writing style is praised for its evocative descriptions and well-developed characters. The book explores themes of identity, belonging, and the power of creation.

Seveneves tells the story of an apocalyptic event where the Moon suddenly breaks apart without warning, leading to a catastrophic 'Hard Rain' of moon fragments that will render Earth uninhabitable for thousands of years. The novel follows the global efforts to save humanity by evacuating people to a swarm of 'arklet' habitats in orbit. The story is divided into three parts, covering the immediate aftermath, the long-term survival in space, and the eventual re-colonization of Earth five thousand years later. The book delves into themes of science, technology, genetics, and the long-term implications of human survival and societal rebuilding.

In 2312, humanity has spread across the solar system, colonizing planets, moons, and asteroids. The novel follows Swan Er Hong from Mercury and Fitz Wahram from Titan as they navigate a complex web of events that force humanity to confront its past, present, and future. The story delves into advanced technologies, terraforming, and the political and economic structures of a future society, while also exploring themes of climate change, human enhancement, and the colonization of space.