Greg DePrince Arts + Life

I don't read a lot of speculative fiction, or should I say "Victorian, historic, speculative, fantasy, steampunk" fiction. But, I am glad I read Natasha Pulley's The Watchmaker on Filigree Street. It is nicely plotted and filled with well drawn characters who orbit a mysterious Japanese watchmaker, Mori, in London of 1884. Mori is clairvoyant and might or might not be manipulative, evil, or dangerous. The workings of his clairvoyance is cleverly developed by Pulley. It brings him under suspicion for bombings by Clan na gael, a radical Irish nationalist group,and ties him to Nathaniel, a young telegraph clerk in the British government. Nathaniel is required to spy on Mori, a difficult position given his growing feelings for the watchmaker. Nathaniel becomes involved with a young physics student who does not trust Mori. Complications ensue.  There are some broad brush analogies developed between Clan na gael and the ultra nationalists of late 19th century Japan. The fantastical mechanical creatures that Mori makes, give the story a dash of steampunk. It is all quite an enjoyable and well written mix. I was easily drawn in despite my misgivings about the genre. Watchmaker is Pulley's first novel, she a is writer to key an eye on.