If you loved
Steampunk Universe
Diana M. Pho, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Maurice Broaddus, Ken Liu, Malon Edwards, Suna Dasi, Emily B. Cataneo, Matthew Bright, Lyndsay E. Gilbert, Candida Spillard, Pip Ballantine, Victor Fernando R. Ocampo, Kate Coe, Jody Lynn Nye, Liam Hogan, Zach Chapman, Andrew Knighton, Lucy A. Snyder · Book · 2018
What hooked you in Steampunk Universe was the way speculative settings act as a metaphorical mirror for modern social realities.
Films on the same thread
Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Steampunk Universe: Steampunk.
Like the diverse voices in Steampunk Universe, this film uses a Victorian-inspired aesthetic to conduct a sharp sociopolitical critique, specifically examining the constraints placed upon a woman's bodily autonomy.
Ready Player One
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2018
Explores: Nostalgia, Escapism, Corporate Greed.
While Steampunk Universe explores social commentary through gears and gadgets, this story uses virtual reality to mirror our own anxieties regarding corporate greed and the desperate human need for escapism.
Mortal Engines
Christian Rivers · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with Steampunk Universe: Steampunk.
This film shares the fascination with technological advancement found in Steampunk Universe, scaling up the theme of class warfare by literally turning cities into machines that consume the world.
Everything Everywhere All at Once
Daniel Scheinert · Film · 2022
Explores: Existentialism, Intergenerational trauma, Immigrant experience.
Steampunk Universe uses alternate history to explore the human experience, a technique mirrored here as the protagonist navigates the multiverse to reconcile her family relationships and deep-seated intergenerational trauma.
Series on the same thread
Arcane
Christian Linke · Series · 2021
Explores: Sisterhood, Dystopian Society, Technological Advancement vs. Social Decay.
The conflict between magic and technology in this series echoes the thematic depth of Steampunk Universe, providing a visual stage to analyze the decay that occurs within stratified societies.
His Dark Materials
Jack Thorne · Series · 2019
Explores: Orphan Protagonist, Moral Ambiguity, Interdimensional Travel.
Much like the speculative fiction found in Steampunk Universe, this series intertwines science and magic to build a parallel world that serves as a canvas for exploring complex moral ambiguity.
The Nevers
Joss Whedon · Series · 2021
Shares a thread with Steampunk Universe: Steampunk.
If you appreciated the Victorian setting of Steampunk Universe, you will find this exploration of social outcasts and female empowerment to be an equally compelling use of historical-fantasy metaphors.
Steven Universe
Rebecca Sugar · Series · 2013
Explores: Friendship, Self-discovery, Redemption.
Steampunk Universe utilizes speculative elements to examine personal growth, a mission shared by this series as it uses magical gemstone beings to unpack the heavy weight of trauma and redemption.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
This audio drama mirrors the structural intent of Steampunk Universe by using a harsh, futuristic setting as a vantage point to examine the fragility of human emotions and survival.
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Existentialism, Individual Responsibility, Cultural Critique.
Steampunk Universe employs fiction to dissect societal behaviors, a goal matched by these philosophical discussions which aim to break down the dichotomy of life and individual responsibility within culture.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary purpose of Steampunk Universe?
Steampunk Universe functions as a metaphorical mirror to our own society. By using speculative fiction, the anthology allows readers to examine human behavior from an outside perspective, providing a way to relate to experiences beyond their own through the lens of steampunk narratives.
Who are the contributors to Steampunk Universe?
Steampunk Universe is an anthology featuring work by Diana M. Pho, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry, Maurice Broaddus, Ken Liu, Malon Edwards, Suna Dasi, Emily B. Cataneo, Matthew Bright, Lyndsay E. Gilbert, Candida Spillard, Pip Ballantine, Victor Fernando R. Ocampo, Kate Coe, Jody Lynn Nye, Liam Hogan, and Zach Chapman.
Is Steampunk Universe considered a work of magic?
No, Steampunk Universe is not considered magic. It is a collection of speculative fiction that uses the steampunk genre to reflect societal structures and human behaviors, acting as a tool to help readers understand experiences different from their own.
When was Steampunk Universe published?
Steampunk Universe was published in 2018. The anthology features a diverse group of authors, including Andrew Knighton and Lucy A. Snyder, who contribute to the collection's goal of exploring how fiction helps us relate to one another through speculative storytelling.