Poul Anderson describes peace as well as war. Ys has periods of peace under Grallon. In Hadding's Denmark:
"Spring came with a shout of wind..." (p. 217)
Again the wind shouts although this time not in battle. Spring is green. Summer is bountiful. In Autumn, wind strips red, yellow and bronze leaves from trees:
"...and whirled them away on its song." (p. 218)
A versatile wind. Winter brings snow.
Fourteen years pass as yeomen plough, craftsmen hammer, fishers cast nets, traders travel, wives cook, there are fairs, offerings, weddings and grave-ales, Hadding rules justly, Denmark grows rich and troubles are just:
"...the human lot. On the whole, they called this the happiest time ever known in the kingdom." (p. 219)
More tales could be told about such times.
6 comments:
All happy families are alike, but every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, as Tolstoy said in "Anna Karenina".
Not quite true, but there's a reason far more people write dystopias than utoptias. Conflict drives plot.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I had something like that in mind as well. Altho I was thinking more of how quiet, peaceful, prosperous times would not make for INTERESTING stories people would want to read.
It's troubled, worrisome, anxious, disastrous times which seem to be INTERESTING. Rather like that Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times!"
Ad astra! Sean
Poul was fond of quoting that French sage who noted that all human lives, however entertaining the comedy of the middle acts, ended in tragedy. "A little dirt upon our heads, and all is done forever."
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I think I vaguely recall coming across that, somewhere! But I don't believe merely bodily death ends it forever for us.
Ad astra! Sean
PA quotes Pascal in "The Sorrow of Odin the Goth." A reflection by Carl during his first return to New York.
Kaor, Paul!
So Anderson was quoting Pascal in "The Sorrow..."? I've read Pascal's PENSEES but so long ago that I don't recall that bit.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment