Ribofunk (book)

Lore & Background

Paul Di Filippo was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. He is a member of the Turkey City Writer's Workshop and has been a regular reviewer for magazines such as Asimov's Science Fiction, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Science Fiction Eye, The New York Review of Science Fiction, Interzone, Nova Express, and online at Science Fiction Weekly. Since 2013 he has written regular book reviews for Locus Magazine.

Antonio Urias writes that Di Filippo's writing has a 'tradition of the bizarre and the weird.' His novella A Year in the Linear City was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novella. The Steampunk Trilogy (1995) contains three novellas: 'Victoria,' 'Hottentots,' and 'Walt and Emily,' which Urias described as containing bizarre and occasionally humorous elements involving Queen Victoria's amphibian doppelganger, racist naturalists, black magic, and an interdimensional love story between Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman.

Reader's Guide

Paul Di Filippo's significance lies in his sustained output as both a writer and a critic within the science fiction field. His work, particularly The Steampunk Trilogy, exemplifies a blend of historical satire, weird fiction, and literary playfulness. As a regular reviewer for multiple prominent genre magazines, he has contributed to the critical discourse of science fiction for decades. His membership in the Turkey City Writer's Workshop places him within a notable community of speculative fiction writers. The Hugo nomination for A Year in the Linear City marks a recognition of his novella-length work. His ongoing role as a book reviewer for Locus Magazine since 2013 underscores his continued engagement with the field. The critical assessment by Antonio Urias highlights the bizarre and weird tradition in his writing, which is evident in the three novellas of The Steampunk Trilogy, each offering a distinct satirical or fantastical take on historical figures and genres.