I thought this was a fantastic story, a well thought out hodge-podge of alternative history, cultural relativism and literary commentary all wrapped up in a big Age of Steam bow. I love universes where the author makes a few simple changes and allows them to permeate through everyday life, like ripples from a single pebble drop. (I call it the Myst Effect, based on the Myst videogames and more importantly novels.) Illustrative details, like the boarding house and my favorite, p-mail!, keep the reader well-grounded in the setting.
Every character was an essential part of the story - except Ms. Stacy, who mostly seemed there to provide another body when one was called for. She was so unremarkable I had to re-listen to the story to remember her name. My favorite scene was the debate, where the Burners transformed from faceless hatemongers to the anguished outcry of a man suffering from what sounds like genetic illiteracy. His struggle for equality for all, head to head with the experiences of a former slave, was very well handled. The two groups agreed in principle, but not in method - a theme even for today.
What makes this story fantasy is Hitomi's ability to imbue books and paper with life. The magic was again, Myst-like: one power, with lots of possibility. I particularly liked the explanation of why the bookstore's volumes were able to take matters into their own hands when her practice tome was not. The golem story was a fantastic both dove-tail and impetus, and supported the main group of character's casual, comfortable position of supporting the equality of all in a time when the notion is far from mainstream.
The only thing I didn't like about this story was it's narration. The voice was fine, and I agree with the previous comments about it benefiting from the reader not trying to do ethnicity-appropriate accents. But the stumbling over words, mispronunciations, and inappropriate pauses and emphasis made this feel more like a first read then a finished product.
