Pavane is an alternative history science fiction fix-up novel by British writer Keith Roberts, first published by Rupert Hart-Davis Ltd in 1968. Most of the original stories were published in Science Fantasy. An additional story, "The White Boat", was added in later editions. Comprising a cycle of linked stories set in Dorset, England, it depicts a 20th century in which the Catholic Church still has supremacy; in its timeline, Protestantism was destroyed during wars that resulted from the aftermath of the assassination of Queen Elizabeth in 1588.
The Signaller was an interesting tale. I read the Victorian Internet a couple of years ago. It was interesting to see the network of telegraph towers come to life and ponder life as a part of such a tower's crew.
This book grew on me...but I still skimmed a bit to finish it.
Though a slow starter, once the fix-up starts developing some commonality to the stories, Pavane is really lovely. Kind of surprised I liked this as much as I did, but I highly recommend it.
