The ERBianism of the title leads the reader to expect Sword and Science, the sf equivalent of the fantasy sub-genre, Sword and Sorcery. However, the story so far is more like Anderson's Shield. Our hero, with an artifact embodying a dangerous new technology in his possession, is on the run from totalitarian conspirators and security men on a future Earth which has world government, regular rocket flights, interplanetary travel and routine contact with natives of Mars and Venus. This sounds familiar: Golden Age sf, though not ERBian. I still do not see where the Maid is coming from.
However, I really must read more of this pulp story before I post any more about it. I will also be reading and posting about a few other uncollected works by Anderson, which will make a change from revisiting his History of Technic History, although the latter as ever is far from exhausted. In fact, I have yet to finish rereading "Hunters of the Sky Cave."
(Also still reading The Scar by China Mieville. Bizarre. Some well thought out consequences of familiar ideas. One detail that I do not remember noticing anywhere else - this fantasy world's moon has moons.)
8 comments:
Hi, Paul!
And tt was very gratifying to find out Peter was inspired to compile this e-book at least partly because of my "Uncollected Works of Poul Anderson" essay. I had sometimes wondered if anyone besides you and a few other persons had read my little efforts. And whether they were affecting or influencing anyone. So I'm pleased to know Peter compiled his e-biook at least partly because of my essay.
And I too had thought "War Maid of Mars" something E.R. Burroughs might have written. An impression strengthened by the wonderfully lurid PLANET STORIES cover illustration!
Sean
Sean,
That is the War-Maid and a Martian "owlie" on the cover. Right now I have more to post than time to post it but that will change. I must finish reading "War-Maid...," read the other "uncollected" stories on the ebook, list Anderson's two-installment series, finish reading "Hunters..."
Paul.
Hi, Paul!
I'll be very interested in any comments you make about "lost" works of Poul Anderson. Am I right thinking not all of the stories in the e-book compiled by Peter were "forgotten" stories?
Still reading WE CLAIM THESE STARS. Lots of small, interesting details easy to overlook. And I'll soon be sending you a parapgraph to add to my "An Unexpected Contradiction piece," if you don't mind!
Sean
Ebook:
Star Ship
Witch of the Demon Seas
Tiger by the Tail
The Ambassadors of Flesh
Duel on Syrtis
War-Maid of Mars
The Virgin of Valkarion
Lord of a Thousand Suns
Swordsman of Lost Terra
Sargasso of Lost Starships
Captive of the Centauianess
The Star Plunderer
Out of the Iron Womb!
Hi, Paul!
Darn! I've read all of these except "Witch of the Demon Seas," "War Maid of Mars," and "The Virgin of Valkarion."
Sean
Is this ebook compiled by 'Peter' still available somewhere online?
You have me curious about these stories.
Jim,
I don't know. I no longer have access to it.
Paul.
Kaor, Both!
Even better would be if never collected or long un-republished stories of Anderson were printed in good quality books. A matter which I discussed in detail in my "The Uncollected Works of Poul Anderson" article.
Ad astra! Sean
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