Steven Price

Steven Price is a Canadian poet and novelist based in Victoria, British Columbia. His work spans multiple genres including poetry collections, historical fiction novels, and literary fiction. Price gained recognition for his poetry collections "Anatomy of Keys" (2006) and "Omens in the Year of the Ox" (2012), both of which received critical acclaim. His 2016 historical novel "By Gaslight" marked his successful transition into long-form fiction, earning nominations for several literary awards. His 2019 novel "Lampedusa" was shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize and tells the story of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's final years as he writes his masterpiece "The Leopard." The novel demonstrated Price's ability to weave historical figures into compelling narratives while exploring themes of mortality and artistic creation. Price currently teaches at the University of Victoria and continues to write across multiple genres. His work often examines historical subjects and themes of identity, memory, and the relationship between past and present.

Readers praise Price's poetic prose style and atmospheric writing, particularly in "By Gaslight." Many reviews note his skill at creating immersive Victorian London settings and complex character studies. Readers highlight: - Rich historical details - Lyrical writing that enhances rather than slows the narrative - Deep psychological insights into characters - Attention to period-accurate dialogue Common criticisms: - Dense, sometimes challenging prose that requires focused reading - Slow pacing, especially in early chapters - Length (By Gaslight is over 700 pages) - Occasional overuse of descriptive passages Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - By Gaslight: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) - Lampedusa: 3.8/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: - By Gaslight: 4.1/5 - Lampedusa: 4.2/5 One reader noted: "Price's writing demands attention but rewards careful reading with extraordinary depth and beauty." Another commented: "The descriptions are stunning but sometimes overwhelm the story."

By Gaslight (2016) A detective story set in Victorian London following William Pinkerton's search for a ghostlike conman named Edward Shade.

Lampedusa (2019) A biographical novel depicting the final two years of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's life as he writes his masterpiece, The Leopard.

Into That Darkness (2011) A novel about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake in Victoria, British Columbia, focusing on civil engineer Arthur Lear's search for his missing wife.

Anatomy of Keys (2006) A collection of poems that explores the life of Harry Houdini through various poetic forms.

Omens in the Year of the Ox (2012) A poetry collection examining themes of loss, memory, and historical events through varied verse forms.

Roberto Bolaño writes historical mysteries with intricate plots and multiple narrative threads. His work explores violence and political upheaval in ways similar to Price's approach in "Lampedusa."

Michael Ondaatje constructs layered narratives that blend historical events with personal stories. His prose style and focus on memory align with Price's literary techniques.

Hilary Mantel writes historical fiction that emphasizes character psychology and period detail. Her work shares Price's interest in examining real historical figures through a contemporary lens.

Peter Carey creates narratives that blend historical fact with imaginative storytelling. His work demonstrates the same attention to historical research and complex characterization found in Price's novels.

Laurent Binet combines historical events with literary investigation in his fiction. His approach to blending fact and fiction mirrors Price's method of reimagining historical moments and figures.