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The novel *The Difference Engine* was co-authored by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling.
Answer: True
The source material confirms that William Gibson and Bruce Sterling collaborated as co-authors on the novel *The Difference Engine*.
*The Difference Engine* is considered an early and influential work in the steampunk genre.
Answer: True
The novel is widely recognized as an early and influential contribution to the steampunk genre, helping to establish many of its conventions.
William Gibson and Bruce Sterling collaborated on the novel via email.
Answer: False
William Gibson and Bruce Sterling collaborated on the novel, but the source mentions their collaboration was facilitated by computer networking, not specifically email.
Bruce Sterling mentioned naming a character Michael Godwin in thanks for assistance with computer networking for the novel.
Answer: True
Bruce Sterling acknowledged naming a character Michael Godwin in gratitude for help with computer networking that facilitated the collaboration on *The Difference Engine*.
Who are the authors of the novel *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: William Gibson and Bruce Sterling
The novel *The Difference Engine* was co-authored by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling.
What genre is *The Difference Engine* strongly associated with and credited for helping establish?
Answer: Steampunk
*The Difference Engine* is strongly associated with the steampunk genre and is credited with helping to establish many of its conventions.
What is the primary classification of *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: Alternative History
*The Difference Engine* is primarily classified as an alternative history (alt-history) novel, also strongly associated with the steampunk genre.
In the alternate history presented in *The Difference Engine*, Charles Babbage's mechanical computers had a significant global impact.
Answer: True
The novel's premise is built upon the widespread global impact of Charles Babbage's Difference Engines, which significantly altered the course of history and technology.
The novel is set in London during the year 1855.
Answer: True
The novel *The Difference Engine* is set in London in 1855, depicting a world where advanced mechanical computing has reshaped the Victorian era.
In *The Difference Engine*, the United States is a unified nation similar to its historical counterpart.
Answer: False
In the alternate history of *The Difference Engine*, the United States is depicted not as a unified nation, but as several competing nations.
The novel's final scene depicts the year 1991, featuring a vast Engine simulating human lives.
Answer: True
The novel concludes with a scene set in 1991, illustrating a future where a massive Engine simulates the lives of all humankind.
What is the central technological premise that drives the alternate history in *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: Charles Babbage's mechanical computers (Difference Engines)
The novel's alternate history is fundamentally driven by the premise that Charles Babbage's mechanical computers, the Difference Engines, achieved widespread global impact.
In which city and year is *The Difference Engine* primarily set?
Answer: London, 1855
The novel *The Difference Engine* is primarily set in London during the year 1855.
How is the political landscape of the United States depicted in *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: As several competing nations
In the alternate history of *The Difference Engine*, the United States is depicted not as a unified nation, but as several competing nations.
What event, described as 'The Stink,' causes social disruption in London?
Answer: A significant episode of pollution
'The Stink' refers to a significant episode of pollution in London, caused by an inversion layer, which leads to social disruption and the departure of the city's elite.
What is the significance of the "Great Stink" event in the novel?
Answer: It causes social disruption and affects character movements.
The "Great Stink" refers to a significant episode of pollution in London that causes social disruption and affects the movements and actions of characters within the narrative.
Sybil Gerard, initially using the alias Sybil Jones, begins the novel as a character who targets respectable gentlemen.
Answer: True
In the first iteration of the novel, Sybil Gerard, under the alias Sybil Jones, is introduced as a 'dolly-mop' who targets respectable gentlemen.
Mick Radley is a character who assists the alternate history figure Sam Houston and is involved with punch cards.
Answer: True
Mick Radley is depicted as a schemer who recruits Sybil Gerard and serves as secretary to Sam Houston, becoming involved with different sets of punch cards.
In the first iteration of the novel, Sam Houston is killed instantly by an assassin.
Answer: False
In the first iteration, Sam Houston is shot multiple times by an assassin, but his ultimate fate is left unclear, not instantly killed.
Following the events involving Mick Radley and Sam Houston, Sybil Gerard retrieves a collection of valuable gold coins.
Answer: False
After the events involving Mick Radley and Sam Houston, Sybil Gerard retrieves a fortune in large diamonds, not gold coins.
Edward Mallory, the protagonist of the second iteration, is a renowned paleontologist.
Answer: True
Edward Mallory, the protagonist of the second iteration of the novel, is depicted as a distinguished paleontologist and the discoverer of the *Brontosaurus*.
"Captain Swing" threatens Edward Mallory to return punch cards and spreads rumors about Rudwick's death.
Answer: True
"Captain Swing" confronts Edward Mallory, demanding the return of punch cards and propagating false rumors about Mallory's involvement in Rudwick's death.
Laurence Oliphant offers Edward Mallory protection, believing Rudwick's death was part of a conspiracy.
Answer: True
In the third iteration, Laurence Oliphant provides Edward Mallory with police protection, suspecting Rudwick's death is linked to a larger conspiracy.
In the fourth iteration, Edward Mallory attacks "Captain Swing" with assistance from communists originating from Manhattan.
Answer: False
In the fourth iteration, Edward Mallory attacks "Captain Swing" with the help of his brothers and a recovered Fraser, not communists from Manhattan.
In the fifth iteration, Oliphant and Wakefield erase identities from records as part of state security operations.
Answer: True
During the fifth iteration, Oliphant and Wakefield engage in state security activities that involve erasing identities from historical records.
Laurence Oliphant's Japanese protégé presents Charles Egremont with a communique after Oliphant falls ill.
Answer: True
After Laurence Oliphant becomes ill, his Japanese protégé delivers a communique to Charles Egremont, presumably containing testimony gathered by Oliphant.
In France, Ada, Lady Byron is referred to by the narrator as "The Queen of Computers."
Answer: True
In France, Ada, Lady Byron is referred to by the narrator as "La Reine des Ordinateurs," which translates to "The Queen of Computers."
Sybil gives Ada, Lady Byron a valuable necklace after attending her lecture.
Answer: False
Sybil gives Ada, Lady Byron a ring bearing a large, uncut diamond as a gift after attending her lecture, not a necklace.
Edward "Leviathan" Mallory is primarily known as a politician in the novel's alternate history.
Answer: False
Edward "Leviathan" Mallory is primarily known as a renowned paleontologist and the discoverer of the *Brontosaurus* in the novel's alternate history, not a politician.
Charles Egremont is an MP whom Sybil Gerard accuses of betraying her father.
Answer: True
Charles Egremont, an MP, is accused by Sybil Gerard of betraying her father, a significant point of conflict in the narrative.
In the novel's final iteration, Ada, Lady Byron is referred to as "The Mother."
Answer: True
In the final iteration, Ada, Lady Byron is referred to as "The Mother" by the narrator in France, alongside the title "The Queen of Computers."
The hollow cane with a raven head contained a fortune in large diamonds.
Answer: True
The hollow cane with a raven head, belonging to Sam Houston, was found to contain a fortune in large diamonds after it was broken.
Who is Sybil Gerard, and what is her initial role in the first iteration of the novel?
Answer: A 'dolly-mop' targeting gentlemen
In the first iteration of the novel, Sybil Gerard, under the alias Sybil Jones, is introduced as a 'dolly-mop' who targets respectable gentlemen.
What valuable items does Sybil Gerard find after the events involving Mick Radley and Sam Houston?
Answer: A fortune in large diamonds
After the events involving Mick Radley and Sam Houston, Sybil Gerard retrieves a fortune in large diamonds that were hidden in Houston's cane.
What is Edward Mallory's profession in the second iteration of the novel?
Answer: Paleontologist
Edward Mallory, the protagonist of the second iteration, is a renowned paleontologist and the discoverer of the *Brontosaurus*.
Who is "Captain Swing" and what is his primary objective concerning Edward Mallory?
Answer: A character threatening Mallory to return punch cards
"Captain Swing" is a character who threatens Edward Mallory, demanding the return of punch cards and spreading rumors about Rudwick's death.
What is Florence Bartlett's role in the plot concerning the punch cards?
Answer: She brings the punch cards back to England from France.
Florence Bartlett is suggested to have brought the case of punch cards back to England from France. She later attempts to steal these cards.
In the fifth iteration, what action do Oliphant and Wakefield take as part of state security?
Answer: They erase identities from historical records.
During the fifth iteration, Oliphant and Wakefield engage in state security activities that involve erasing identities from historical records.
How is Ada, Lady Byron referred to by the narrator in France?
Answer: The Queen of Computers ('La Reine des Ordinateurs')
In France, Ada, Lady Byron is referred to by the narrator as "La Reine des Ordinateurs," which translates to "The Queen of Computers."
What does Sybil give Ada, Lady Byron as a gift?
Answer: A ring bearing a large, uncut diamond
Sybil gives Ada, Lady Byron a ring bearing a large, uncut diamond as a gift after attending her lecture.
Who is Charles Egremont, and what accusation does Sybil Gerard make against him?
Answer: An MP; she accuses him of betraying her father.
Charles Egremont, an MP, is accused by Sybil Gerard of betraying her father, a significant point of conflict in the narrative.
Within the world of *The Difference Engine*, a 'kinotrope' functions analogously to early motion pictures.
Answer: True
The novel describes kinotropes as a new art form driven by mechanical computers, functioning similarly to early motion pictures through programmed arrays of tiles.
Lady Ada Byron entrusts Edward Mallory with a case containing punch cards.
Answer: True
Lady Ada Byron entrusts Edward Mallory with a case containing punch cards, which he subsequently hides within the skull of the *Brontosaurus* exhibit.
The case of punch cards processed in France malfunctions due to an overload of data.
Answer: False
When the punch cards are processed by France's equivalent of the Difference Engine, the system malfunctions, but the cause is not specified as an overload of data.
The "Difference Engine" itself is a mechanical computer that serves as a central element to the novel's plot.
Answer: True
The "Difference Engine," a mechanical computer designed by Charles Babbage, is fundamental to the novel's alternate history and plot development.
The 'punch cards' in the novel contain encoded music for the Difference Engines.
Answer: False
The punch cards in the novel are described as containing information such as a betting system or encoded visuals, not music.
"Engine cards" are described as containing a betting system or encoding visuals.
Answer: True
The 'engine cards' mentioned in the novel are described as punch cards containing either a betting system or encoded visuals.
The Brontosaurus exhibit's skull is used to hide Lady Ada Byron's research notes.
Answer: False
The Brontosaurus exhibit's skull is used to hide a case containing punch cards entrusted to Edward Mallory by Lady Ada Byron, not research notes.
"Kino-cards" are used to create visual displays similar to early motion pictures.
Answer: True
"Kino-cards" are punch cards designed to encode visuals for presentations, functioning similarly to early motion pictures.
What is a 'kinotrope' as described in the novel's context?
Answer: An early form of motion picture
The novel describes kinotropes as a new art form driven by mechanical computers, functioning similarly to early motion pictures through programmed arrays of tiles.
What crucial item does Lady Ada Byron entrust to Edward Mallory?
Answer: A case containing punch cards
Lady Ada Byron entrusts Edward Mallory with a case containing punch cards, which he subsequently hides within the skull of the *Brontosaurus* exhibit.
What is the significance of the Brontosaurus exhibit's skull in the plot?
Answer: It is used to hide the case of punch cards.
The Brontosaurus exhibit's skull serves as a hiding place for the case of punch cards entrusted to Edward Mallory by Lady Ada Byron.
What is the function of the 'Engine cards' mentioned in the novel?
Answer: To contain a betting system or encode visuals
The 'engine cards' mentioned in the novel are described as punch cards containing either a betting system or encoded visuals.
Scholarly analysis suggests that *The Difference Engine* functions as a rewrite of Benjamin Disraeli's novel *Sybil*.
Answer: True
Scholars have argued that Gibson and Sterling's novel serves as a deliberate rewrite of Benjamin Disraeli's *Sybil*, exploring themes and historical contexts from a new perspective.
Scholar Jay Clayton analyzes the novel's engagement with the concept of 'hacking'.
Answer: True
Scholar Jay Clayton's analysis explores how *The Difference Engine* engages with concepts of hacking and information manipulation.
The "Difference Dictionary" is a critical review of the novel published in a major newspaper.
Answer: False
The "Difference Dictionary" is not a critical review but a work by Eileen Gunn included in the Japanese translation of the novel.
Brian McHale suggests the novel engages with postmodern ideas concerning historical fiction.
Answer: True
Brian McHale relates *The Difference Engine* to postmodernism's interest in reinterpreting historical narratives and fiction.
The novel suggests technology is separate from state security operations.
Answer: False
The novel implies a strong connection between technology and state security, showing how technology is utilized for surveillance and control by state security organs.
Patrick Jagoda discusses the novel's connection to "cyber-steampunk" themes.
Answer: True
Scholar Patrick Jagoda examines *The Difference Engine*'s relationship with "cyber-steampunk" themes, linking it to concepts of control societies and escape.
Matt Mitrovich describes the novel as a single, continuous narrative.
Answer: False
Matt Mitrovich describes *The Difference Engine* not as a single narrative, but as a collection of interconnected stories linked by punch cards.
What scholarly argument is made regarding *The Difference Engine* and Benjamin Disraeli's novel *Sybil*?
Answer: It serves as a rewrite of *Sybil*.
Scholars, such as Herbert Sussman and Elisabeth Kraus, argue that Gibson and Sterling's novel functions as a rewrite of Benjamin Disraeli's earlier work, *Sybil*.
How does scholar Jay Clayton analyze *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: Exploring its attitude toward hacking and information manipulation
Scholar Jay Clayton's analysis explores how *The Difference Engine* engages with concepts of hacking and information manipulation.
What is the "Difference Dictionary" mentioned in the source material?
Answer: A work by Eileen Gunn included in a Japanese translation
The 'Difference Dictionary' is identified as a work by Eileen Gunn, which was initially published elsewhere and later included in the Japanese translation of *The Difference Engine*.
Brian McHale relates the novel to which literary movement's interest in history?
Answer: Postmodernism
Brian McHale relates *The Difference Engine* to postmodernism's interest in reinterpreting historical narratives and fiction.
What does the novel suggest about the relationship between technology and state security?
Answer: Technology plays a role in surveillance and control by state security.
The novel implies a strong connection between technology and state security, showing how technology is utilized for surveillance and control by state security organs.
The video game adaptation of *The Difference Engine* was released in the USA under the title 'Soldiers of Fortune'.
Answer: True
The video game based on the novel was released in the USA as 'Soldiers of Fortune', although its original title was 'The Chaos Engine'.
*The Difference Engine* was nominated for the British Science Fiction Award in 1990.
Answer: True
*The Difference Engine* received a nomination for the British Science Fiction Award in 1990.
The Nebula Award nomination for *The Difference Engine* was in 1992.
Answer: False
The Nebula Award nomination for *The Difference Engine* occurred in 1991, not 1992.
The John W. Campbell Memorial Award nomination for the novel occurred in 1992.
Answer: True
*The Difference Engine* was nominated for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1992.
The Prix Aurora Award nomination for *The Difference Engine* was in 1991.
Answer: False
The Prix Aurora Award nomination for *The Difference Engine* occurred in 1992, not 1991.
Which of the following awards was *The Difference Engine* nominated for in 1991?
Answer: Nebula Award for Best Novel
*The Difference Engine* received a nomination for the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1991.
What was the US release name for the video game based on *The Difference Engine*?
Answer: Soldiers of Fortune
The video game based on the novel was released in the USA as 'Soldiers of Fortune', although its original title was 'The Chaos Engine'.