The Iron Dragon's Daughter

By: Michael Swanwick

Narrated by: Eileen Stevens

Named a New York Times notable book of 1994, The Iron Dragon's Daughter tells the heartrending story of a changeling child who is kidnapped to a realm of malls and machines and enslaved in a vast, infernal factory. Ultimately, she escapes and attempts to educate herself about this alien world, while being tormented by visions of the life she was denied.

©1994 Michael Swanwick (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Combining cyberpunk's grit with dystopic fantasy, this iconoclastic hybrid is a standout piece of storytelling." (Library Journal)
"At once a gleefully bizarre parody and a dazzlingly imaginative tour de force." (Kirkus Reviews)

I've read this book at least 10 times

This is one of those books that you go back to, like an old friend. Listening to it read by someone else was a little different, but the over all experience was great! Meet Jane, and experience her strange world, follow along on her journey to find the truth about her own existence.

A beloved old favorite.

I first read this book back when I was maybe 10yo. I was a precocious brat, and would read anything I could sneak off of my parents shelves.

Maybe nostalgia gives me some rose colored glasses, but I still like the story. Sure, 25 years later I can see where the story could use some polish.

Still, I like the darkness, and the unique world the author built. I must have read the hardback a dozen times or more over the years. In odd moments, the 'R' words for Moloch-class dragons still pop up in my head. 'Recusador,' 'redactamos,'... And I dream of dragons that you fly like a fighter jet.

A Brilliant Subversion of the Genre

Swanwick delivered a fantastic reshaping of modern fantasy. Wonderful characters, inspired world, and relevant themes.

Read it twice

I read this book back in college on the bus to / from work. I loved it then. 5 years later I am reading it again because I found out there are more novels in the series. I am loving it again. Helarious, gritty, and imaginative.

Confusing Storyline.

The narrator does a good job differentiating the voices. However, there seems to be large chunks of detail left out of the story. The author jumped around too quickly to a new part of the story so that it is hard to follow. If the story would have taken place entirely in the workshop, it likely would have been better.