📖 Overview
Felix Gilman is a British author of fantasy and weird fiction known for blending steampunk, science fiction, and supernatural elements in his work. Born in London in 1974, he currently resides in New York City where he maintains a parallel career as an attorney.
His debut novel "Thunderer" (2007) earned significant recognition, including a nomination for the 2009 Locus Award for Best First Novel and led to nominations for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His most acclaimed work includes "The Half-Made World" (2010) and its sequel "The Rise of Ransom City" (2012), which showcase his distinctive approach to alternate history and weird western themes.
Gilman's writing is characterized by complex worldbuilding and philosophical themes, particularly evident in works like "The Revolutions" (2014) and "Gears of the City" (2008). His novels often explore the intersection of technology, power, and mythology in richly detailed alternate universes.
The author's educational background includes time at Oxford University and Harvard Law School, contributing to the intellectual depth found in his fiction. His work continues to be recognized within both traditional fantasy circles and the newer weird fiction movement.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight Gilman's intricate worldbuilding and unconventional approach to fantasy settings. Many note his complex prose style and philosophical themes, with one reader on Goodreads calling his writing "dense but rewarding."
Readers appreciate:
- Original takes on familiar genres
- Atmospheric descriptions
- Blend of historical and fantastical elements
- Intellectual depth of storytelling
Common criticisms:
- Slow pacing, especially in opening chapters
- Dense writing style can be challenging
- Some plot threads left unresolved
- Character development takes backseat to worldbuilding
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads:
- The Half-Made World: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings)
- Thunderer: 3.5/5 (900+ ratings)
- The Revolutions: 3.4/5 (700+ ratings)
Amazon:
- The Half-Made World: 4.0/5
- Thunderer: 3.8/5
- The Revolutions: 3.7/5
Multiple reviews mention Gilman's work requires focused reading but rewards patience with unique ideas and settings.
📚 Books by Felix Gilman
Thunderer - In a city where gods roam freely, a young man searches for a lost celestial being while navigating political intrigue and supernatural forces.
Gears of the City - A sequel to Thunderer following Arjun deeper into the mysterious city's underground, where reality becomes increasingly unstable.
The Half-Made World - In an alternate American West, agents of the Line and the Gun wage an eternal war while a psychologist tries to heal a general who may hold the key to ending the conflict.
The Rise of Ransom City - Set in the same world as The Half-Made World, this tale follows inventor Harry Ransom as he pursues his dreams of bringing light to the darkness of the frontier.
The Revolutions - In Victorian London, a young couple becomes entangled in occult societies and astral projection experiments that lead to a journey to Mars.
The Movement of Mountains - A mathematician and a theologian embark on a perilous quest to find a mysterious mountain pass, encountering ancient secrets and strange phenomena.
Gears of the City - A sequel to Thunderer following Arjun deeper into the mysterious city's underground, where reality becomes increasingly unstable.
The Half-Made World - In an alternate American West, agents of the Line and the Gun wage an eternal war while a psychologist tries to heal a general who may hold the key to ending the conflict.
The Rise of Ransom City - Set in the same world as The Half-Made World, this tale follows inventor Harry Ransom as he pursues his dreams of bringing light to the darkness of the frontier.
The Revolutions - In Victorian London, a young couple becomes entangled in occult societies and astral projection experiments that lead to a journey to Mars.
The Movement of Mountains - A mathematician and a theologian embark on a perilous quest to find a mysterious mountain pass, encountering ancient secrets and strange phenomena.
👥 Similar authors
China Miéville creates dense, politically complex fantasy worlds that merge industrial and supernatural elements. His New Crobuzon novels share Gilman's interest in alternate industrial societies and weird fiction themes.
Jeff VanderMeer crafts narratives where reality breaks down and the natural world becomes strange and threatening. His Southern Reach trilogy explores similar territory to Gilman's work in terms of metaphysical boundaries and unexplainable phenomena.
K.J. Parker writes fantasy that focuses on technology, engineering, and power structures rather than traditional magic. The engineering detail and examination of how systems of power operate mirror elements found in Gilman's work.
Michael Swanwick combines fantasy and industrial elements in works like The Iron Dragon's Daughter and The Dragons of Babel. His integration of magic and technology shares common ground with Gilman's approach to worldbuilding.
M. John Harrison writes fiction that defies genre boundaries and explores philosophical questions within strange settings. His Viriconium series deals with similar themes of reality, perception, and power that appear in Gilman's works.
Jeff VanderMeer crafts narratives where reality breaks down and the natural world becomes strange and threatening. His Southern Reach trilogy explores similar territory to Gilman's work in terms of metaphysical boundaries and unexplainable phenomena.
K.J. Parker writes fantasy that focuses on technology, engineering, and power structures rather than traditional magic. The engineering detail and examination of how systems of power operate mirror elements found in Gilman's work.
Michael Swanwick combines fantasy and industrial elements in works like The Iron Dragon's Daughter and The Dragons of Babel. His integration of magic and technology shares common ground with Gilman's approach to worldbuilding.
M. John Harrison writes fiction that defies genre boundaries and explores philosophical questions within strange settings. His Viriconium series deals with similar themes of reality, perception, and power that appear in Gilman's works.