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The Black Locomotive

By Rian Hughes
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Black Locomotive explores a London built from the fusion of concrete, steel and creativity, where old technologies are replaced by new innovations. When a mysterious anomaly is found beneath Buckingham Palace during the construction of a secret Crossrail extension, it presents an archaeological enigma that could transform our understanding of London’s origins. As the modern world faces collapse, the story suggests that reclaiming past technologies may be essential to securing the future.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book will appeal to fans of speculative science fiction, graphic novels with strong visual design, and readers who enjoy complex, conceptually rich stories blending history and futuristic ideas.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

A brilliantly original novel of literary SF from the acclaimed author of XX, The Black Locomotive weaves steam trains, the history and architecture of London, and a mysterious alien artefact below the city into a work of stunning inventiveness and originality.

A brilliantly original novel of literary SF from the acclaimed author of XX.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

London is built from concrete, steel and the creative urge.

Old technology gives way to the new. Progress is inevitable - but is it more fragile than its inhabitants realise?

A strange anomaly is uncovered in the new top-secret Crossrail extension being built under Buckingham Palace. It is an archaeological puzzle, one that may transform our understanding of history - and the origins of London itself.

And if our modern world falls, we may have to turn to the technology of the past in order to save our future.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise Rian Hughes as an undeniably unique wordsmith, delivering an excited and passionate vision that warms the heart of industrial and sci-fi enthusiasts. The book has been described as a graphically gorgeous, full-steam-ahead masterpiece and a blend of Boys' Own adventure with conceptual science fiction. It’s both a coffee-table art piece and a compelling narrative that combines semiotics, urban planning, and conspiracy, showing Hughes as a cleverly conceptual, ridiculously romantic and utterly unique talent.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529074451

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 August 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Picador

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 34.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 492g

Pages: 400

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Rian Hughes Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction

About the Author

Rian Hughes is a graphic designer, illustrator, comic artist, writer and type designer who has worked extensively for the British and American advertising, music and comic book industries. He has written and drawn comics for 2000AD and Batman: Black and White, and designed logos for The Avengers, The X-Men, Superman, record label Hedkandi, MTV and James Bond. He has edited books on mid-century lifestyle illustration and custom typography, and written on semiotics, culture, and collecting vintage science fiction pulps and paperbacks. He lives in London.

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