This is the story that I think should definitely open a Poul Anderson collection. To reiterate:
Proposed title: The Old Phoenix and other universes
Proposed contents:
"The House of Sorrows"
"Eutopia"
"House Rule"
"Losers' Night"
The developing theme:
a single alternative history
travel between many histories
an inn between the histories
the culmination of the inn sequence
The inter-historical inn, the Old Phoenix, comprises a "sequence" because it also features in Anderson's A Midsummer Tempest, xi, xii and Epilogue.
A Midsummer Tempest follows Anderson's Three Hearts and Three Lions and Operation Otherworld.
Operation Otherworld collects Operation Chaos and Operation Luna.
Operation Chaos collects "Operation Afreet," "Operation Salamander," "Operation Incubus" and "Operation Changeling."
"House Rule," as we have repeatedly said, crosses over with Anderson's History of Technic Civilization.
To return to "The House of Sorrows" after all that seems like an anti-climax but it is an individual story by Poul Anderson and we should appreciate its reflection on history. Ancient history viewed in a distorting mirror helps us to reflect on our origins.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree, of course! Alternate history science fiction speculates about what might have been, or not have been.
Ad astra! Sean
Agreement here too.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling1
Some possibilities can be as horrifying as your Draka and Anderson's "Murphy's Hall." In fact, "In Memoriam" might be considered a sequel to "Murphy's."
Ad astra! Sean
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