The Alchemy of Stone
Encyclopedia
The Alchemy of Stone is the third novel by Ekaterina Sedia
. It is an urban fantasy
/steampunk
novel dealing with an automaton's involvement in a proletarian revolution
in the fictional city of Ayona.
resembling late Victorian era
-London
. It was originally constructed centuries ago by gargoyle
s, magical creatures who can manipulate stone and rock but turn to stone fixtures at the ends of their lives. The first humans to settle in the city became the hereditary duke
s who ruled at first, the gargoyles having little to do with humans after raising the stone foundations of the city and its buildings. Over time, the power of the dukes declined, and they were forced to share power with a parliament representing the factions of the Alchemist
s and Mechanic
s, each representing complementary facets of human creativity. In the past, the Alchemists were dominant, but by the time of the novel the Mechanics have taken the lead, and institute widespread economic and industrial innovations. The world outside the city is not described in great detail, other than there being a land of dark-skinned people across an ocean to the east, natives of whom have emigrated to the city to form a semi-oppressed minority group.
The main character is Maddie, a clockwork
automaton
constructed with a corset
, petticoat
and skirts, and heels built into her figure. Maddie is one of the few sentient automatons in the city, and was emancipated by her master, Loharri (one of the chief Mechanics) when she wished to study to become an Alchemist. However, even though technically emancipated, Loharri still holds the literal key to her heart, a unique key needed to wind up her mechanical heart, without which she will deactivate until it is wound again.
At the beginning of the story, Maddie is contacted by representatives of the last remaining gargoyles, who wish for her to use her skills to develop a method by which they can become mortal and escape their metamorphosis into stone. During her attempts to discover the technique to do so (the titular alchemy of stone), she crosses paths with Sebastian, an Easterner whose mother was a powerful stone alchemist. Sebastian himself became a Mechanic, only to leave the order due to their prejudice against him, joining a radical group aimed at overthrowing the existing social order which is being strained by the increasing adoption of new labor-saving technologies by the Mechanics, the latest development of which is the "Calculator", a steam-powered computer whose aim is to be able to guide the city along the most efficient path of development.
The radical group manages to bomb the parliament building and assassinate the duke, and a revolution breaks out. Industrial workers fired due to the use of labor-saving machines, miners who have been mutilated into grotesque forms by the Stone Monks (a corrupt religious order nominally serving the gargoyles but in reality aimed at self-promotion), and peasant farmers driven off their land by government industrialization are joined with disaffected groups of Alchemists, Mechanics, and Ducal courtiers. During the revolution, as the city they made is changed irrevocably, Mattie is able to finish her study of the alchemy of stone and grant the gargoyles their wish; however, during the fighting, Loharri is killed, and her key potentially lost or destroyed.
The novel ends on several ambiguous notes. The revolution succeeds, but with hints that the upper-class courtiers, Mechanics, and Alchemists who supported the rebels will once more take control from their working-class companions. Similarly, while Mattie succeeded in her quest to free to gargoyles and gain freedom from Loharri, without her key she winds down and deactivates. The novel ends with the gargoyles promising to spend the rest of their now-mortal lives in an attempt to find the key to restore their savior.
Honor List and the Locus
Recommended Reading List.
The novel was praised for how Mattie, despite her mechanical nature, captured the vulnerability and emotions of real women. Some reviewers noted that the scenes where the parliament building is bombed and the aftermath evoked memories of the September 11 attacks.
Ekaterina Sedia
Ekaterina Sedia is a Russian-born fantasy author who is currently living in the United States. Her most recent work is The Alchemy of Stone, a steampunk novel that explores sexism and class bigotry. Alchemy received a star review from Publishers Weekly and was made the LA Timess 2008 Summer...
. It is an urban fantasy
Urban fantasy
Urban fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods...
/steampunk
Steampunk
Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s. Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain or "Wild West"-era United...
novel dealing with an automaton's involvement in a proletarian revolution
Proletarian revolution
A proletarian revolution is a social and/or political revolution in which the working class attempts to overthrow the bourgeoisie. Proletarian revolutions are generally advocated by socialists, communists, and most anarchists....
in the fictional city of Ayona.
Plot synopsis
Ayona is a city-stateCity-state
A city-state is an independent or autonomous entity whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as a part of another local government.-Historical city-states:...
resembling late Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
-London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was originally constructed centuries ago by gargoyle
Gargoyle
In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque, usually made of granite, with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between...
s, magical creatures who can manipulate stone and rock but turn to stone fixtures at the ends of their lives. The first humans to settle in the city became the hereditary duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
s who ruled at first, the gargoyles having little to do with humans after raising the stone foundations of the city and its buildings. Over time, the power of the dukes declined, and they were forced to share power with a parliament representing the factions of the Alchemist
Alchemist
An alchemist is a person who practices alchemy. Alchemist may also refer to:-People and groups:*The Alchemist , a hip hop music producer and rapper*Alchemist , an Australian progressive metal band...
s and Mechanic
Mechanic
A mechanic is a craftsman or technician who uses tools to build or repair machinery.Many mechanics are specialized in a particular field such as auto mechanics, bicycle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics, boiler mechanics, general mechanics, industrial maintenance mechanics , air conditioning and...
s, each representing complementary facets of human creativity. In the past, the Alchemists were dominant, but by the time of the novel the Mechanics have taken the lead, and institute widespread economic and industrial innovations. The world outside the city is not described in great detail, other than there being a land of dark-skinned people across an ocean to the east, natives of whom have emigrated to the city to form a semi-oppressed minority group.
The main character is Maddie, a clockwork
Clockwork
A clockwork is the inner workings of either a mechanical clock or a device that operates in a similar fashion. Specifically, the term refers to a mechanical device utilizing a complex series of gears....
automaton
Automaton
An automaton is a self-operating machine. The word is sometimes used to describe a robot, more specifically an autonomous robot. An alternative spelling, now obsolete, is automation.-Etymology:...
constructed with a corset
Corset
A corset is a garment worn to hold and shape the torso into a desired shape for aesthetic or medical purposes...
, petticoat
Petticoat
A petticoat or underskirt is an article of clothing for women; specifically an undergarment to be worn under a skirt or a dress. The petticoat is a separate garment hanging from the waist ....
and skirts, and heels built into her figure. Maddie is one of the few sentient automatons in the city, and was emancipated by her master, Loharri (one of the chief Mechanics) when she wished to study to become an Alchemist. However, even though technically emancipated, Loharri still holds the literal key to her heart, a unique key needed to wind up her mechanical heart, without which she will deactivate until it is wound again.
At the beginning of the story, Maddie is contacted by representatives of the last remaining gargoyles, who wish for her to use her skills to develop a method by which they can become mortal and escape their metamorphosis into stone. During her attempts to discover the technique to do so (the titular alchemy of stone), she crosses paths with Sebastian, an Easterner whose mother was a powerful stone alchemist. Sebastian himself became a Mechanic, only to leave the order due to their prejudice against him, joining a radical group aimed at overthrowing the existing social order which is being strained by the increasing adoption of new labor-saving technologies by the Mechanics, the latest development of which is the "Calculator", a steam-powered computer whose aim is to be able to guide the city along the most efficient path of development.
The radical group manages to bomb the parliament building and assassinate the duke, and a revolution breaks out. Industrial workers fired due to the use of labor-saving machines, miners who have been mutilated into grotesque forms by the Stone Monks (a corrupt religious order nominally serving the gargoyles but in reality aimed at self-promotion), and peasant farmers driven off their land by government industrialization are joined with disaffected groups of Alchemists, Mechanics, and Ducal courtiers. During the revolution, as the city they made is changed irrevocably, Mattie is able to finish her study of the alchemy of stone and grant the gargoyles their wish; however, during the fighting, Loharri is killed, and her key potentially lost or destroyed.
The novel ends on several ambiguous notes. The revolution succeeds, but with hints that the upper-class courtiers, Mechanics, and Alchemists who supported the rebels will once more take control from their working-class companions. Similarly, while Mattie succeeded in her quest to free to gargoyles and gain freedom from Loharri, without her key she winds down and deactivates. The novel ends with the gargoyles promising to spend the rest of their now-mortal lives in an attempt to find the key to restore their savior.
Reception
The novel was on the 2008 James Tiptree, Jr. AwardJames Tiptree, Jr. Award
The James Tiptree, Jr. Award is an annual literary prize for works of science fiction or fantasy that expand or explore one's understanding of gender. It was initiated in February of 1991 by science fiction authors Pat Murphy and Karen Joy Fowler, subsequent to a discussion at WisCon.- Background...
Honor List and the Locus
Locus (magazine)
Locus, subtitled "The Magazine Of The Science Fiction & Fantasy Field", is published monthly in Oakland, California. It reports on the science fiction and fantasy publishing field, including comprehensive listings of all new books published in the genre. It is considered the news organ and trade...
Recommended Reading List.
The novel was praised for how Mattie, despite her mechanical nature, captured the vulnerability and emotions of real women. Some reviewers noted that the scenes where the parliament building is bombed and the aftermath evoked memories of the September 11 attacks.
External links
- review from Locus OnlineLocus OnlineLocus Online is the online component of Locus Magazine. It publishes news briefs related to the science fiction, fantasy and horror publishing world, along with original reviews and feature articles, and excerpts of articles that appeared in the print edition. Information for Locus Online is...
- Interview at Fantasy MagazineFantasy MagazineFantasy Magazine is a U.S.-based online fantasy and science fiction magazine. It was launched as a print edition at the 2005 World Fantasy Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. It continued in this format for six more issues, but in mid-October 2007, it moved online, with daily content, and spun off...
- Review at io9Io9io9 is a blog launched in 2008 by Gawker Media. The blog focuses on the subjects of science fiction, futurism, and advancements in the fields of science and technology....