The Dandelion Farmer
by
Mat McCall
The Dandelion Farmer is a Steampunked Science Fiction Adventure
set of Mars in the late 19th C.
The first book The Dandelion Farmer, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dandelion-Farmer-Mathew-McCall/dp/1549539140/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1638873248&sr=8-3
The second book The Hourglass Sea, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hourglass-Sea-Book-Dandelion-Farmer/dp/B08XZCYWB1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The third book (as yet untiled)
Scratching a living out of the red earth of the newly independent Martian Colonies, an idealistic young Dandelion Farmer, Edwin Ransom, takes a stand against the powerful and evil industrialist, Eleuthère Du Maurier, who is trying to drive him off his land.
As events spiral out of Edwin’s control he encounters Adam Franklin, a man suffering long term memory loss and haunted by nightmares of his own death.
Edwin and Adam are drawn further into violent conflict with Du Maurier’s henchmen and are forced to flee to the safety of Edwin’s father-in-law’s protection.
Professor Flammarion, Edwin’s father-in-law, is a man with a vision. Believing that mankind on Mars is on the brink of self-extinction he has brought an airship and is preparing to set off in search of what he believes to be the only hope of saving the humans on Mars; the last of the First Martians. The Professor enlists Edwin and Adam to join his eclectic group of scientists and adventurers in his perilous quest.
Set against a background of the looming threat of war between the colonies and pursued by the dark forces unleashed by the evil Du Maurier, Edwin finds himself catapulted into a nightmare adventure on the frontiers of human civilisation and beyond.
My inspirations for the elements of the story range from Wild West westerns to the wilder adventures of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells.
It is a polylogical epistolary science fiction fantasy novel with elements of discrepant awareness, set within the neo-Victorian retrofuturist genre. (A Steampunk novel written in the form of letters and diary entries from the main protagonists).
set of Mars in the late 19th C.
The first book The Dandelion Farmer, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dandelion-Farmer-Mathew-McCall/dp/1549539140/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1638873248&sr=8-3
The second book The Hourglass Sea, https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hourglass-Sea-Book-Dandelion-Farmer/dp/B08XZCYWB1/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
The third book (as yet untiled)
Scratching a living out of the red earth of the newly independent Martian Colonies, an idealistic young Dandelion Farmer, Edwin Ransom, takes a stand against the powerful and evil industrialist, Eleuthère Du Maurier, who is trying to drive him off his land.
As events spiral out of Edwin’s control he encounters Adam Franklin, a man suffering long term memory loss and haunted by nightmares of his own death.
Edwin and Adam are drawn further into violent conflict with Du Maurier’s henchmen and are forced to flee to the safety of Edwin’s father-in-law’s protection.
Professor Flammarion, Edwin’s father-in-law, is a man with a vision. Believing that mankind on Mars is on the brink of self-extinction he has brought an airship and is preparing to set off in search of what he believes to be the only hope of saving the humans on Mars; the last of the First Martians. The Professor enlists Edwin and Adam to join his eclectic group of scientists and adventurers in his perilous quest.
Set against a background of the looming threat of war between the colonies and pursued by the dark forces unleashed by the evil Du Maurier, Edwin finds himself catapulted into a nightmare adventure on the frontiers of human civilisation and beyond.
My inspirations for the elements of the story range from Wild West westerns to the wilder adventures of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells.
It is a polylogical epistolary science fiction fantasy novel with elements of discrepant awareness, set within the neo-Victorian retrofuturist genre. (A Steampunk novel written in the form of letters and diary entries from the main protagonists).
Reviews of The Dandelion Farmer
Book 1
Review by Nimue Brown, published in Druid Life; The Dandelion Farmer –
A Review
By Nimue Brown
Mathew McCall’s The Dandelion Farmer is an extraordinary piece of steampunk writing. It’s set on Mars in the 1800s (there are reasons, but they are a fair way into the book, so, no spoilers). So we have steam trains, guns, airships, and telegrams, in what would more normally be a high tech, futuristic kind of setup if you’re used to reading sci-fi. Retro-Mars is dealing with all the issues of empire and colonialism that beset the Victorian era. Exploring those issues in such an imaginary context is brilliant because it allows the author to raise issues and express the breadth of attitudes – from the abhorrent to the enlightened – without it being too uncomfortable.
There’s a definite wild west vibe when the book opens. An unscrupulous man is trying to make a land grab, and sends thugs to terrorise a farming family – the dandelion farmer of the title. The dandelions are being farmed for biofuel. Gun fights, chases, corruption and heroism duly ensue.
From there we get into unravelling the back story of Mars, seen from various perspectives. The plot moves forward around a quest to make touch with the apparently vanished Aresian people. There’s a fine example of the kind of thinking going on in this book. People who have come from Earth to colonise Mars, are Martians. To distinguish them from original peoples, the former inhabitants are called Aresians, for Ares, the older god associated with the planet. Earth people are Tellurians. However at the outset there are a lot of names for groups of sentient beings and there’s a lot of fun to be had figuring out, who exactly, is what.
The narrative emerges from ephemera – reports, telegrams, letters, diaries, text books. It means the story is told through multiple voices, and I found those voices consistent, identifiable and engaging. The possible downside is that often you see the same events two or three times from different angles. Either you’ll love this, or you won’t. I really enjoy the way characters emerge in this process, and doubt over what, precisely happened at key moments, can develop from the differences.
The politics are really interesting. There are female characters trapped in Victorian standards and modes of behaviour. There are also female characters striking out and breaking the rules and finding varying levels of support for doing so. While most of the main characters have titles, there’s plenty of attention drawn to the poverty and exploitation that goes alongside colonialism and empire building. There’s also an underlying theme about corporate power that speaks to modern issues and pulls no punches in doing so. The author asks explicitly what happens when democracy is for sale to the capitalist with the most money, and the real-world parallels are obvious.
In terms of world building, this book is vast and epic, setting up for what I hope is going to be a series. It stands alone, but certainly left me wanting a lot more, because I was so fascinated by what happens in The Dandelion Farmer. I want to know what happens to these characters. I’m an occasional sci-fi reader, and it felt to me as though Matt has read every book imagining Mars and somehow distilled it all down into this uber-text. As though all other writers had glimpsed facets, and he’s somehow seen the whole. It’s impressive. This is a Mars unlike any I’ve seen before (I haven’t read everything, mind) yet it seems familiar. The book is full of nods to other writings, some of which I laughed over when I realised what they were. It’s clever, funny, knowing, and rewarding.
On top of that, the book explores questions about what it means to be alive, to be human, to be not-human. No answers are offered at this stage and these, I suspect, will be key issues in future books.
You can find The Dandelion Farmer here – https://www.amazon.com/Dandelion-Farmer-Mathew-McCall/dp/1549539140
Review by Mark Hayes
The Amazon UK reviews....
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic read that challenges you!
ByB Kirbyon 10 September 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
A great book that really makes you think in both its content and delivery. It has a novel way of delivering the narrative that puts you in the mindset and viewpoint of the characters. I would recommend it to anyone, particularly if you like science fiction, steampunk or just a clever way of delivery.
5.0 out of 5 stars
With brilliantly descriptive writing you find yourself on Mars the Victorian ...
ByJennifer Comptonon 10 October 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
It captivated me from the start.So much going on!With brilliantly descriptive writing you find yourself on Mars in the Victorian era.This Steam Punk/Sci Fi book has also elements of a Western and a Thriller to boot!.A very human story in a Alien environment. The way it is written is also very clever as it is conveyed in letter/diary and journal form.This allows you to get to know the characters in depth ,empathising with the nicer ones and their struggles to survive threats both Human and Martian. I think it would make a great film and would appeal to a very varied audience. By Jennifer Compton.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Looking forward to the sequel.
ByEric P.on 29 November 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
A very enjoyable book. It took me a little while to get used to the style of a book presented as a series of letters and notes written by different characters in the story but now I am looking forward to reading a sequel. The only reason that I have not given 5 stars for the review is because there were a number of typographical errors that had got past the proof reading stage.
(Thanks Eric for that, the issue has now been sorted. M)
5.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable steampunk story
ByMiss Michelle L Edmundson 23 September 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed this story, told in the form of letters, journals and extracts from books. It takes place in a well realised setting and each voice is consistent throughout the book. If you like your sci-fi with a neo-victorian Steampunk feel, then this is for you. There is obviously more of this adventure to come so I await the next installment eagerly.
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you want a great Christmas pressie
ByBarbara McCallon 10 December 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
If you want a great Christmas pressie, this is the book, amazing, tantilizing and infectious!
Futuristically set on the newly independent Martian Colonies, yet with threads of our civilization
today, together with fully realised characters that are mysterious and fascination.
With an expert weaving of plot and sub-plot, this is indeed an excellent read!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Compelling New Science Fiction Read
ByKatherine Mon 28 September 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Very well-written, astonishingly conceived, ambitious and successful first novel. A great adventure and a truly inspiring new work of science fiction. Looking forward to the sequel.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
ByAmazon Customeron 5 September 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I had the great pleasure of reading this well written enjoyable sci-fi and steampunk novel. My favourite steampunk novel so far. Desperate for the sequel!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Steampunk at its finest
ByJames Brownon 11 September 2017
Format: Paperback|Verified Purchase
I've been involved in the Steampunk genre since the beginning of its modern revival and thought I'd read all the good writing that was going to come of it.
I couldn't have been more wrong, this novel is no doubt amongst the best I've read and should justly take its place amongst Jeter, Baylock, and, dare I say it?, Verne.
Mr. McCall has a love for his subject that shines through in every word, from making you consider sxi-fi's age old question of what it is to be human to the kind of rip roaring adventures that will take you back to childhood "boys own adventures".
I can not recommend this book enough if you like Steampunk, sci-fi, or even just a darn good adventure!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Homesteading on the Martian frontier!
ByN D Lamberton 24 September 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
This is a tale that opens like a Western under unfamiliar skies in a very different nineteenth century. It develops into a thriller that keeps the reader engaged through letters, diary entries and hurried reports from its memorable characters, each casting a different light on the situations that unfold. This is part of the Dandelion Farmer's charm: it reveals its Martian world gradually through various viewpoints that converge in the grand finale. Nothing is as it seems and the twists are enjoyable. It's a compelling piece of writing that not only works as a standalone novel but encourages further sequels. Yes, it has elements of Steampunk but really this is a "scientific romance" that wittily references the tradition of Burroughs, Bradbury, Wells and many others to show Mars as it might have been. I look forward to more from Mr McCall!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive First Book!
ByMitchell Aggon 23 September 2017
Format: Paperback
A very impressive first book by an intelligent author. I hope he writes more in the future.
Two new reviews of my book; THE DANDELION FARMER. on Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36115238-the-dandelion-farmer
Malcolm Glover
Mar 01, 2018 Malcolm Glover rated it was amazing! *****
I bought this because the title intrigued me, that and the reviews I'd read. I'm so glad I did. It's difficult to categorise, steampunk, fantasy or alternative worlds doesn't really hack it because the story takes place on a post Victorian Mars, one where the British empire has been overthrown by an independence movement, one where with a little help humans can breathe outdoors, one where there are what appear to be native Martians living on the planet too. That's as far as I will go with the semi-spoilers. The story centres around a gentleman who does indeed farm genetically modified dandelions. The story unfolds carefully and is meticulously told. This is the first book in what I hope turns into a series. There are numerous interwoven threads that are left unanswered at the end of the book that the author will deal with in the next book and personally I'm hoping that there will be more than just one more book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and encourage you to give it a read too... but be prepared to suspend belief in "our" universe.
Andrew Ferrell
Apr 18, 2018 Andrew Ferrell rated it really liked it. ****
Well, my Gentle Readers, Mathew McCall delivers an interesting view on Mars Colonization through his novel, "The Dandelion Farmer".
The story centers on one, L. Edwin Ransom, the self professed Dandelion Farmer, and an incident with evil millionaire mogul, Du Maurier. Du Maurier has a strange interest in Ransom's little farming operation, but is it greed? Or something deeper? The planet Mars has seen its share of bloodshed when the peoples of Earth came calling upon its longtime denizens. An uneasy peace has held for a couple of decades since the Tellurians (Earth people on Mars), broke free of their Earthbound governments to establish their own rule. This peace is tenuous at best and the ever present threat of more war keeps everyone on edge. When Du Maurier's threats escalate into more violent attempts upon the life of Ransom and his people, he heads to his father-in-law's home where he is caught up in the man's quest to find out what happened to the Aresians (original settlers of Mars who disappeared after years of war witht he Tellurians).
McCall fashions this world and the storytelling as a collection of letters, journal entries, telegraphs, and excerpts from historical texts. This means sometimes telling the same scene from different perspectives. Some readers may find this tedious, but it does provide insights into the personalities of the various characters. Some of the more historical records included could probably have been trimmed or cut out for sake of keeping the action going, but they allow the reader to see the depth to which McCall has developed the setting he created his story within. Of particular interest to me was the character of Adam Franklin and later, Aelita: an Aresian who grew up in Tellurian society after she was orphaned during the war.
I won't hold back here. This is a long read with some dry parts (the aforementioned historical texts for one). The overall story though is intriguing. McCall leaves you wanting to finish the chase to discover the Aresians, and see Du Maurier get his just rewards along the way.
Grab your copy on Amazon now if you're ready to join the Dandelion Farmer on his quest.
IGetPwnedOften
IGetPwnedOften
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read reminiscent of Edgar Rice Burroughs
31 December 2018
To start with, I must point out I know the author personally, but that will not colour my review.
It actually took me far too long to get around the reading this, but when I did I greatly enjoyed it. A fascinating mix of scifi, fantasy, historical "what ifs" set in a well constructed and believable world.
One of the things I really enjoyed about the story is that it is exactly what one would imagine had the world at the time discovered space flight - "Who can we invade with this?" - and the subsequent fallout of such actions.
The politics, religions and social strata and all well written and provide a good backdrop to a well paced and action packed story.
I'm greatly looking forward to the next installment of the series.
Tom Brown, author of Hopeless Maine.
5.0 out of 5 stars! Excellent SF makes for amazing Steampunk fiction.
I loved this book on every level. It pays clever and deft tribute to prior fictional excursions to the Red planet which gave me warm nostalgic moments, but Mr McCall has forged his own territory with a beautifully written science fiction tale. This is the other reason this book shoukld be read. it establishes should, and can bve, solid fiction, and enjoyable without the steampunk fanservice. Itis my understanding that the sequal is not far off, and I am pretty much desperate to get back to Mars.
Morning Cuppa: The Dandelion FarmerGood Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Max and Collin’s exuberantly experimental and improbably porcine parlour located beneath the grimy streets of the splendidly scencic city of Steampunk’d Lancaster.
True some will call our flamboyant descriptions of our subterranean safe-house ‘Hogwash’ but we consider that such people are merely swine.
You find us this morning with a dead pig on the rug. This is entirely the fault of Nimue Brown and we take no responsibility for the matter whatsoever. (As Max says, “A True Gentleman never takes responsibility for anything, if he can help it, least of all his own actions.”) We have done some research and ordered a new pig and some beer and a couple of Conservative MPs and hope the thing will go better next time… What?
… Max says I am painting a very suspect and inaccurate picture of events and he would like me to make it clear that a) Max was not in any way involved with the pig , b) the purpose of the pig in the parlour was completely innocent and c) all we did was feed the pig substandard black-market tea which likely consisted of a large amount of brick dust and asbestos and this caused it to keel over and die. d) Max was in no way involved with the pig…
What? … no I don’t think that by making point d) a repetition of point a) it makes it sound as though you were involved with the pig Max… and I’m sure none of our dear friends here would think that of you in any case, I mean, I know you’re shackled to a regrettable romantic history but… owch! … right. Fine. I see cruelty to animals is not beneath you afterall. I shall say no more about it.
Anyway, you didn’t come here to listen to us bickering over a dead pig, you came to enjoy some marvelous tea and some splendid steampunk fiction. So, let us kick our tentacles up on the table, and do just that… Our tea this morning is Dandelion and Burdock brew by Muddy Boots (we are not usually fans of Dandelion, as you know, but coupled with Burdock here it is quite sweet and delicious) and to accopany it, what better than this…
The Dandelion Farmer is a magnificently crafted steampunk’d science-fiction novel that could easily stand alongside any of the sci-fi classics, and indeed should be considered essential reading for anyone keen to expand their collection to include modern gems alongside the familiar old.
Humans have colonised Mars and the Dandelion Farmer is trying to grow plants for bio-fuel while fending off the underhanded tactics of his land-grabbing adversary. But when a stranger appears on the farm needing assistance events rapidly spiral into a dark and thrilling journey through a twisted labyrinth of past and present with some very real demons.
McCall’s Mars has an 1800s American Western feel and holds a critical mirror both to that colonial era here on Earth, and to our current socio-political climate. It is an exceptional work of science fiction with a steampunk flavour and we look forward to reading and reviewing the next book in the series , The Hour Glass Sea, when it is released.
And now that appears to be the door … hopefully it is either the butcher or our new pet… hm? You’ll call who? The R.S what? Well there’s really no need to be like that you know… why don’t you calm down, put that dueling parasol away and stay for lunch? We’re having bacon sandwiches… OWCH! … Max stop cowering behind the sofa and protect me, our guests have been inexplicably incited to violence!…
An interview with my lead character; www.bookauthors.online/interview/character-interview/edwin-ransom-interview/
Author interview with yours truly...www.bookauthors.online/blog/author-mathew-mccall-interview/
The Dandelion Farmer is available in paper back or Kindle from Amazon uk and world wide.
www.amazon.co.uk/Dandelion-Farmer-Mathew-McCall-ebook/dp/B074Y4KCX3/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
www.amazon.co.uk/Dandelion-Farmer-Mathew-McCall-ebook/dp/B074Y4KCX3/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8