Gaslamp fantasy is a melding of the historical fiction and fantasy genres. It deals with 19th century-style societies where magic is a prevalent and accepted facet of everyday life.
It’s still a baby genre at this point, but gaslamp fantasy is rapidly expanding thanks to its association with gothic literature and steampunk fiction.
What Is Gaslamp Fantasy?
Think of gaslamp fantasy as steampunk’s more magically-inclined cousin. But while steampunk relies on scientific elements, gaslamp thrives on magic, though the two often overlap.
Some call the genre Victorian fantasy, but this is a bit of a misnomer. Gaslamp stories can occur during the Regency years early in the century (1811-1820), Queen Victoria’s long monarchy (1837-1901), or even King Edward’s reign (1901-1910).
As such, it often exhibits Victorian or Edwardian norms and aesthetics, though this is not an absolute necessity of the genre.
Gaslamp fantasy is often set in Britain or its territories, but it can also be in another world that shares similarities with ours.
Many of its themes, characters, and tropes are drawn from Gothic literature, including emotional distress, supernatural activity, and mystery. Because of this, it is sometimes seen as an effort to revive or modernize gothic literature.
Etymology
The term “gaslamp fantasy” was coined in 2006 by Kaja Foglio to describe her Hugo award-winning comic, Girl Genius, wishing to differentiate it from conventional steampunk fiction.
Though the comic is set in an alternate-history Victorian-style setting, it veers away from what’s usually considered steampunk. While it has technology, it has less emphasis on it than is usually seen in the genre.
It also features elements of other fiction such as magic and mythical creatures, giving it a more fantastical style. In addition, it lacks most of the anti-authoritarian “punk” present in punk subgenres.
Since its invention, the term “gaslamp fantasy” has been used to retroactively describe fiction from the past, including the works of Jules Verne and Bram Stoker.
Examples of Gaslamp Fantasy
Here are a few excellent examples of gaslamp fantasy that are full of gothic ambiance, dark magic, romance, and supernatural creatures.
1. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
In the midst of England’s struggle against France, many believe that magic has long disappeared—until the country’s last two practicing magicians reveal themselves. With the young and daring Jonathan Strange apprenticing himself to the reclusive Gilbert Norrel, England sees magic’s long-awaited return.
But magic always has a price: as Strange is drawn deeper into the darker aspects of his sorcery, he risks destroying everything he holds dear.
2. The Prestige by Christopher Priest
In the halls of Victorian stage magic, two magicians vie for the title of the best illusionist England has ever seen. Each can perform illusions that seemingly defy the laws of the natural world.
With each of them trying to uncover each other’s secrets at any cost, their professional jealousy slowly turns into a deep and destructive obsession—one that is felt for generations to come.
3. Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton
The dragon Bon Agornin is dead and his children are divvying up their inheritance. In their society, that means eating the dead and gaining their strength—something that all dragons fear and look forward to.
But a greedy son-in-law takes more than his fair share, setting off a chain reaction of unexpected and disastrous events, leaving the family fractured.
4. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
The once prestigious Royal Society of Unnatural Philosophers—responsible for maintaining the magic in Her Majesty’s lands—has fallen into disgrace. Magic is running low and everybody blames Zacharias Wythe, England’s first-ever African Royal Sorcerer.
His search for a solution brings him to the immensely powerful Prunella Gentlewoman. Together, they must navigate through prejudice and sexism to learn what’s wrong with the land.
5. A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
It’s 1895 and 16-year-old Gemma Doyle finds herself taken from the life she knows in India and transported to a boarding school in England. Lonely, different, and still dealing with her mother’s suicide, her welcome there is an icy one.
There, she must contend with mysterious visions, mean girls, a secret Order, and a mysterious young man who keeps telling her to resist destiny.
Reading Gaslamp Fantasy
Gaslamp fantasy is an easy genre to get into simply because it has a lot of connections with historical fiction, steampunk, and gothic literature.
That is why you may find plenty to love in the stories it offers. These tales are whimsical and serious, romantic and horrific, strange and familiar—and most of all, they give you a taste of the fantastical and the historical.
Whether you’re new to the genre or can’t get enough of it, gaslamp fantasy can be your doorway to other worlds and other genres.
Have you read any gaslamp fantasy stories? Share your experience in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Steampunk Books: Your Guide to the Retrofuture
- Exploring Gothic Horror: A Brief History and Examples
- Weird Fiction: Stories of the Uncanny and the Indescribable
- Cosmic Horror: Your Guide to Incomprehensible Terrors
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
