Tuesday, August 28, 2018

The Pendant Lens, by Sean McMullen

[Analog]
★★★☆☆ Average

(Historical SF) A British engineer comes to France at the height of the Terror to fix a steam engine that drives a unique electrical apparatus—something so valuable to the Revolution they may never let him leave. (8,275 words; Time: 27m)


"The Pendant Lens," by (edited by Trevor Quachri), appeared in issue 09-10|18, published on by .

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: George and Clare made good their escape, and it looks like they eventually make a good business out of their device.

Con: George has very little agency for a protagonist. Robespierre is brought down by his own arrogance and impatience, not by anything George tries to do. Nor does he escape on his own; he’s dependent on Clare.

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