Saturday 25 July 2020

Human Interactions On Interplanetary Expeditions

In "Ministering Angels," CS Lewis imagines two prostitutes sent from Earth to entertain the all-male staff of a Martian exploratory base, comprising:

a homosexual;
a religious celibate;
a newly married young man who can think only of getting back to his wife;
a scientist who does not want to be distracted from his work...

...and one young man who would appreciate female company - although not the pair that have been sent, one too old for the job and the other an ideological fanatic.

In Poul Anderson's "Pele," the young scientist, Craig Raden, finds himself on an interstellar expedition with:

a married couple working as a team;
a middle-aged astronomer faithful to her husband at home;
a shy, young planetologist wanting no distractions from this big career opportunity;
an older woman always talking about her new grandchild...

...and viewpoint character, Tyra Nordbo.

5 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

And wasn't Tyra Nordbo herself on the edge of becoming middle aged?

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,
Not sure.
Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I have a vague recollection of Tyra nearing age 40 in "Pele."

Ad astra! Sean

paulshackley2017@gmail.com said...

Sean,

looking at the time elapsed, that must be right.

Paul.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

I thought so. Don't know when I'll get to INCONSTANT STAR and "Pele." I'm reading Seamus Heaney's translation of BEOWULF. And next comes A. Conan Doyle's SIR NIGEL.

Ad astra! Sean