The Difference Engine

Summary

The novel "The Difference Engine" is set in an alternate history where Charles Babbage completed his Analytical Engine, sparking a technological revolution in Victorian England. In this world, steam-powered computers and mechanical devices have transformed society and politics. The main characters, Edward Mallory and Sybil Gerard, find themselves entangled in a conspiracy involving mysterious punch cards that could shift the balance of power globally. The novel explores themes of technology, power, and social change, creating a complex and detailed steampunk world.