Operation Chaos, an alternative universe fantasy by Poul Anderson;
"Strangers," this universe sf by Anderson;
the Nantucket Trilogy, alternative universe sf by SM Stirling.
I list these works in this order and with these descriptions because I studied Hegelian philosophy at University. James Blish's After Such Knowledge Trilogy is a classic Hegelian triad because the realism of historical fiction (a thesis) and the fantastic content of fantasy (an antithesis) are synthesized in the "rationalized fantasy" of sf. The two works by Anderson and one by Stirling can also be seen as triadic. The two by Anderson are opposites whereas the one by Stirling combines one element from each of them.
However, this has little to do with their content and is really my mind imposing an artificial pattern upon three diverse works. The next forward move is to continue reading one of the works with close attention to detail but that is impossible at this time of night when the mind, about to enter the realm of Morpheus, prefers to spin Hegelian generalizations before returning the day with thanks to the gods that gave it.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I can only admire with awe the speed with which you read and the zeal you show in writing about what you read.
I'm far slower than you! I take far too long to read a book and I don't write anywhere as prolifically as you do. My forte seems to be to take a single idea Anderson used and then write about, with appropriate quotes from his works and letters.
Sean
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