The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer can be quickly described in two word: Steampunk Shakespeare. The book is an interesting mix of The Tempest and a steampunk setting with using a mad genius inventor in the place of a illusionist/magician. The setting provides an interesting perspective on the original play and provides interesting commentary along the way. But was it done well?

Prospero Taligent is a miracle worker in steampunk technology. He has invented many, many inventions including mechanical men. He has also adopted a young woman who he has named Miranda. On Miranda’s 10th birthday, he invites 100 children over to celebrate and makes a pledge to fulfill their heart’s desire. Among the 100 children is Harold Winslow who wants to be a storyteller. Prospero recognizes something special and decides that Harold’s fulfillment will be the last and most extraordinary. Harold is brought back to be Miranda’s friend and play partner until they share a kiss. Prospero cannot handle Miranda growing up and starts slowly going crazy from it. Harold on the other hand has to deal with a family he doesn’t understand and doesn’t interest him.

The story starts at the end and then goes back to the beginning to help the reader understand how Harold, Miranda and Prospero got to where they are now (adrift aboard a giant zeppelin powered by what Prospero claims is a perpetual motion machine). The plot zig zags along with some confusion as we jump around Harold’s life from age 10 through age 30 including his job at a greeting card company. The characters and settings are good, with the plot a little bumpy along the way.

There are also several interesting characters that drift in and out of the book, including Prospero’s son Caliban, Harold’s sister Astrid, a sculptor who’s made Miranda his life’s work, the author of the book pops up in the background of an art party scene. But the book is mainly about Harold and Prospero and their relationship with Miranda. It’s not an easy book to read with different characters jumping in and out and time going along over most of Harold’s life. The dreams and different scenes can be confusing and hard to keep track of, but overall it’s an interesting book, but not completely put together. If you like books that have a sort of dreamy way of telling a story, then you might enjoy the book more. A better put together plot would have definitely helped this book. Mildly recommended.