Elizabeth Bear is one of the more prolific writers in Science Fiction and Fantasy, penning stories across the wide landscape of the genre. In Karen Memory, she tells the story of a “seamstress” in the Pacific Northwest of the 19th Century, though it is not quite the 1800s we know. Mind readers, robots and zeppelins help to flavor the story told through the voice of Karen Memery, yes the title of the book spells it Memory, the character spells it Memery. The novel is about murder, possessions, assertive and powerful women (among them Karen) who work at Madame Damnable’s Hôtel Mon Cherie in Rapid City.
Karen introduces herself, and the story, thusly:
You ain’t gonna like what I have to tell you, but I’m gonna tell you anyway. See, my name is Karen Memery, like “memory” only spelt with an e, and I’m one of the girls what works in the Hôtel Mon Cherie on Amity Street. “Hôtel” has a little hat over the o like that.
That’s a great voice readers encounter immediately and throughout the novel, Bear remains powerfully consistent with that voice, not skipping a beat. As such, the copyeditor for this one should get special mention for ensuring the voice remained consistent over the course of the novel. Karen is a “seamstress,” which is code for sex worker and as such, Hôtels such as Madame Damnable’s were required to pay a sewing machine tax. Some may find it surprising that this was a real thing of Seattle’s past.
Karen finds herself drawn to a new colleague, Priya, who escaped a rival bordello with a beaten colleague, Merry Lee run by Peter Bantle. Unfortunately for Priya, her sister is still being held at the rival bordello. With the help of steam-powered ‘doctor,’ Merry is healed. . Bantle comes looking for Priya and Merry with a peculiar accoutrement; a glove that pushes others to do what he says. Murders start happening, with bodies appearing just outside Madame Damnable’s bordello when US Marshall Bass Reeves (and partner Tomoatooah) show up to investigate a murderer who has crossed state lines and just might be tied to the recent murders. From there, Bear expertly weaves elements of romance, steampunk, and murder mystery for a fascinating read.
Two things make this book stand out so well: the aforementioned voice. For me, I was very impressed with the consistency even if certain phonetic phrases that annoyed me (i.e “could of” rather than “could have”) despite them illustrating the consistency of the voice. While Karen’s bold voice worked for me in setting the tone, place and feel of the novel, if her voice is one that proves difficult for others to connect to, then forging through the book might be difficult.
The other standout element is the wonderful cast of characters who, for the most part, are unapologetic, empathetic, and genuine. I thought Bear’s depiction of the budding relationship between Priya and Karen against the dark and fantastic backdrop proved a great optimistic balance. As for the cast of characters as a whole, they are diverse in a way that feels natural for the story. Karen Memory is a relatively short novel by today’s standards (352 pages), but Bear packs so much passion, energy, and uniqueness in the novel.
Bear has penned many a story, some of them I’ve read (but not enough) and Karen Memory is novel and character who feels like just the tip of a very large iceberg which is rife with more stories to be told.
Recommended
© 2015 Rob H. Bedford
Hardcover, February 3, 2015, 352 Pages
ISBN 978-0-765-375-24-7
Excerpt: http://www.tor.com/stories/2015/01/karen-memory-excerpt-elizabeth-bear
http://www.elizabethbear.com/
Review copy courtesy of the publisher, Tor
Its a wondrous world, focused through characters who are not normally the main characters. Its wondrous.