Fixing Hanover by Jeff VanderMeer

The chief engineer of the Empire has sent himself into exile, uncomfortable that his inventions have been used to commit atrocities. He lives simply, incognito, repairing mechanical things at a seaside village. A broken mechanical man washes up on the beach and the village council leader demands that it be fixed.

The jealous triangle over a woman between the council leader and the engineer is convincing. The steampunk setting is sketched in quick strokes. The engineer’s own skills and effort are what lead to his downfall in a satisfying resolution.

“Fixing Hanover” by Jeff VanderMeer first appeared in the anthology Extraordinary Engines (Solaris, 2008) edited by Nick Gevers.
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