Near the bottom of p. 50, a space between paragraphs indicates a change of scene. Before the space, there is a dialogue between Ridenour and Evagail (see here) recounted from Ridenour's point of view (pov). After the space, there is a dialogue between Ridenour and Karlsarm. It was only near the top of p. 52 that I realized that this second dialogue is recounted from Karlsarm's pov. When, on p. 51, the two men watch outbackers swimming in Moon Garnet Lake:
"Those boisterous shouts and lithe brown bodies did not seem out of place..."
- this seems like a reflection that would be made by the Terran visitor, Ridenour, rather than by the native, Karlsarm.
This is an observation rather than a complaint. The pov in Anderson's narratives is nearly always carefully controlled but the reader must also remain alert. It was a surprise suddenly to be in Karlsarm's pov. However, on rereading pp. 50-51, I realized that I had made an unwarranted assumption when I thought that we were still in Ridenour's pov.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Something to keep in mind, the next time I reread "Outpost Of Empire." Most times I had no difficulty adapting to changes in POVs because Anderson generally made it clear when he was "switching" from one character's POV to another person's viewpoint.
Sean
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