A prior posting was on the various “boy inventor” adventure series that ran in the “dime novels,” the late 1800s forerunners to the pulps. Known as the “Edisonades,” these included characters like Frank Reade Jr., Jack Wright and others who built steam- and electric-powered vehicles that went on the land and sea, under the sea and in the air. I stated that it’s sad that no one has really mined these stories for new works.
Turns out someone has.
Joseph Lovece has actually written new stories inspired by these characters. He so far has four stories in his “Steam Man of the West” series.
- “The Steam Man of the West”
- “The Road Home”
- “The Flying Prairie Schooner”
- “The Transatlantic Race”
The main hero of these stories is Frank Rude Jr., obviously based on Reade. In the first book, which is the only one I have read yet, he has built a steam-powered robot, the “steam man of the west,” which pulls a covered cart.
With his cousin, Rude is on a quest to find his missing father in the west. Along the way, they soon gather a group of others: Denver Doll, a female detective; an orphan; a photographer; a cat; and the Masked Rider. Some of these are based on characters from dime novels, but I’m not sure if all are. Along the way they have various wild adventures (a dragon, a head frozen in ice, and more). Later in the story he uses a balloon to travel, and builds an Electric Man that pulls a chart.
The characters and situations are satirical, not serious. Several of the names and situations are puns and satire, but I am sure I missed some. At first I would have liked the author to have named the main character “Reade,” but once I saw the work was more fun than serious, I decided it was a good idea. This still allows for someone else to pick up the challenge of doing more serious stories using Frank Reade and family, like a “steampunk” or dieselpunk version of Tom Swift.
As noted, I have only read the first book. I do plan on getting the others and will review them as I read them.
In addition, the author has another series called the “Dime Novel Cover Series,” of which I’ve read one so far. Look for that review soon.
