Anderson's many and varied works cover several different kinds of imaginative fiction and address every important issue. Thus, there are at least two possible approaches:
(i) discuss every aspect of an individual work,e.g., the novel, A Knight Of Ghosts And Shadows;
(ii) discuss an issue, e.g., political legitimacy, as it is addressed in different works, including in A Knight Of Ghosts And Shadows.
Thus, a post on the political aspects of A Knight... and another post on this political issue as addressed in A Knight... could be classified under both (i) and (ii). However, the novel also has non-political aspects like characterization and descriptive passages and addresses other issues like personal loyalty and betrayal, religious beliefs and historical cycles.
I find a third approach illuminating:
(iii) discuss a sufficiently imaginative work by another author;
appreciate that work while also finding parallels and alternative perspectives.
I hope that blog readers can therefore understand why the name of some other author might predominate for a while.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I agree with what you said about how VARIED are the works of Poul Anderson and how even a single work like A KNIGHT OF GHOSTS AND SHADOWS can have many aspects or touch on many issues. And thanks for the nice linking to my "Political Legitimacy" essay.
And I agree as well with your point (iii). Besides writers like H.G. Wells and Olaf Stapledon, you have found the works of S.M. Stirling worthy of comparison to Anderson's works. And of being enjoyed in their own right. And I appreciate Stirling's allusions and references to PA.
And I certainly don't object if sometimes you discuss works by Wells, Stapledon, Lewis, Tolkien, Stirling, or other writers. After all, parallels, aspects, allusions, etc., can often be found in these authors works linking them to those of Anderson's.
Sean
Post a Comment