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If you’ve by no means heard the time period “atompunk,” I’m certain you’re not alone. The sci-fi and speculative fiction genres are full of those hyper-specific sub-genres of books, media, video video games, and tv that every include their very own distinctive traits. I’d be keen to guess you’ve seen or heard of at the very least one film or TV present that matches “atompunk,” although.
What is Atompunk?
Also often known as “atomicpunk,” atompunk is a sub-genre of speculative fiction and science fiction that facilities on the Nineteen Fifties and Nineteen Sixties historic occasions, significantly the Space Race, nuclear expertise, the Cold War, and the Red Scare in a retro-futuristic dystopian perspective. Often these books are on the extra “cynical” aspect, fairly than hopeful about the future. The atompunk sub-genre typically explores an alternate model of the previous, however with “highly advanced technology” past what was accessible at the time. Think flying automobiles or robotic butlers in the Nineteen Fifties or laser weapons throughout the Space Race.
A enormous instance for the atompunk sub-genre is the Fallout online game sequence. Fallout is about in an alternate historical past by which huge nuclear energy publicity and warfare leaves the world in disarray and surviving people dwell in tunnels underground. It has that Nineteen Fifties, capitalist aesthetic this style typically has full with a darkish tackle the future too.
Atompunk is a derivative of the cyberpunk style the place you see lots of the identical themes and traits, simply not fairly so particular, with futuristic expertise in, and infrequently main to, a dystopian world.
If the atompunk sounds attention-grabbing to you, try these six books to get you began! Since this sub-genre is pretty small (and largely written by white males), I’ll additionally embody just a few cyberpunk and retro-futurism books that take care of comparable themes you may like in the event you’re a fan of atompunk!
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, Jr.
Set in the United States after World War II’s warfare turned nuclear rendering the world virtually unlivable, Brother Francis discovers an historic fallout shelter stuffed with writing from the individuals of the previous. The story follows the rebuilding of civilization up till the 12 months 3781 as they rediscover the expertise from earlier than and set their sights on the sky.
The Long Tomorrow by Leigh Brackett
After nuclear battle devastates America, trendy expertise and cities greater than 1,000 individuals are outlawed by society’s new leaders. Len, a youngster, hears rumors of a metropolis known as Bartorstown the place expertise is inspired and units off on a street journey to discover it.
The Manhattan Projects, Vol. 1 by Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra
This is an alternate historical past of the Manhattan Project, the United States’ initiative to construct the first nuclear weapons throughout World War II. In The Manhattan Projects, the growth doesn’t cease there. Robot arms, id swapping, and generals keen to cease at nothing to outdo their enemies lead to one massive mess.
Akira by Katsuhiro Otomo
In the aftermath of a blast that leveled Tokyo and initiated one other world battle, Tetsuo and Kaneda take care of rising up in the chaotic metropolis of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo develops unusual skills, placing a goal on his again. Now Kaneda should attempt to save Tetsuo from governmental interference and, as his powers develop stronger, from himself.
Children of the Dust by Louise Lawrence
Set in England after nuclear battle has damaged out, Sarah takes refuge along with her household at dwelling. In the aftermath, they’re sealed of their kitchen, hyperaware of the radiation outdoors that would seep in any minute. The story follows many years as they discover a manner to dwell once more as the radiation mutates people into one thing totally totally different.
Dawn by Octavia E. Butler
Lilith has been asleep for tons of of years when she wakes up on an alien ship, rescued or taken by an alien species known as the Oankali. They clarify they’ve saved the previous couple of people in the aftermath of an atomic hearth that killed Lilith’s husband, son, and almost everybody else too. But being saved has penalties that Lilith should take care of to survive.
In the temper for extra cyberpunk books? Check out this newbie’s information to the style and or these 22 finest cyberpunk novels of all time!
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