Abrams considers calling "...the guard on his wristcom..." (p. 20)
It has become standard blog practice to note any mention of a mobile phone or equivalent instrument but what are a wristcom's range and other limitations?
Earlier, Abrams had reflected that:
"In spite of what the brotherhood-of-beings sentimentalists kept bleating, Merseians did not really think in human style." (p. 18)
It should be possible to advocate attempted brotherhood towards all beings without denying the facts of differences between their thought-processes.
The viewpoint characters of the opening four chapters are, respectively:
ONE: Hauksberg, a human being with illusions in Merseians;
TWO: Abrams, a human being with no illusions;
THREE: Brechdan, a Merseian.
FOUR: Flandry, a human being, still learning.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I remember that as well, Abrams considering calling for help. He did not because he was afraid whoever was illicitly inside his office might be able to detect such a call. So he decided to act alone.
And that mention of the "wristcom" again shows us how Anderson was at least aware of the concept of mobile/pocket phones, and sometimes used that idea. I assume Abrams wristcom covered at least the area of Highport, the Terran base.
I'm more inclined than not to share Abrams' skepticism for, or even disdain for the "brotherhood of beings" philosophy. I think the most reasonable attitude would be for humans to hope for friendship with non-humans, but to be prudent and wary.
Yes, Hauksberg had foolish illusions about the Merseians. Abrams had no such illusions. And Brechdan Ironrede was manipulating the ilusions of people like Hauksberg to advance the designs and ambitions of the Roidhunate. Ditto, what you said about Flandry.
Btw, I went to Barnes and Noble today and actually found a copy of Avi Loeb's book EXTRATERRESTRIAL! Just for one I was not disappointed while looking for a book and then having to go thru the process of ordering a copy and waiting at least a week for it.
I plan to read Loeb's book after I finish Fleming's LIVE AND LET DIE, the second of his James Bond books (pub. 1954). I think this one is better than CASINO ROYALE, at least partly because Fleming had gained some experience from writing CASINO. Also, I'm finding LIVE AND LET DIE interesting simply as a period piece, showing us how people lived and thought in the early 1950's.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
I think that the Bond series is a good read all the way through, including the last book.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Maybe, I hope so. But I would still criticize Fleming replacing SMERSH with SPECTRE as the villains opposed by 007. Also, so far, LIVE AND LET DIE seems better to me than was CASINO.
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
On the blog, see:
"Fictional Representations Of New York," Sunday, 6 August 2017;
"Evening In New York: Everard And Bond," Sunday, 6 August 2017.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
I will probably look up these blog pieces of yours.
Got to page 78 of the paperback copy of LIVE AND LET DIE. And I'm finding Mr. Big a much more satisfactory villain than was Le Chiffre! I still think the experience gained from writing CASINO ROYALE helped Fleming to write better in LIVE AND LET DIE.
Ad astra! Sean
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