on Doctor No's private island of Crab Key between Jamaica and Cuba, Russian technicians help the Doctor to sabotage American missiles;
on the Zacharians' private island of Zacharia on the planet Daedalus in the Imperial marches, Merseians secretly direct Olaf Magnusson's attempt to conquer and subvert the Terran Empire.
Sources: Dr No by Ian Fleming and The Game Of Empire by Poul Anderson.
For some previously noted parallels, see here.
5 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Secluded islands or strongholds seem to be a favorite of SF writers and spy thrillers. We have H.G. Wells THE ISLAND OF DR MOREAU, Ian Fleming's Crab Key in DR NO, and Anderson's Zacharia Island in THE GAME OF EMPIRE. And the Samothracian agent sent by his superiors to our universe to thwart Gwen Ingolfsson in Stirling's DRAKON built a stronghold in a secret location. I'm sure more could be found if I looked hard among my books.
Sean
It simplifies the plotting. (The way mobile phones complicate it.)
Dear Mr. Stirling,
I think I can see that. I also thought it makes practical sense for certain persons, whether or not for nefarious reasons, to have secluded islands and strongholds.
I'm also trying to grasp how the rise and spread of mobile phones has complicated plotting for SF and thriller writers. Alternately easy or difficult to trace?
Sean
Sean:
"I'm also trying to grasp how the rise and spread of mobile phones has complicated plotting for SF and thriller writers."
The bit about tracing the phone, yes, plus it's far less likely now that someone will be out of touch, unable to be contacted. This can mess up a plot that requires that so-and-so has had no contact with friends, family, or the office during a critical period and thus doesn't know he/she is now suspected in the murder of ___, or whatever. I'm sure there are other aspects I haven't thought about at the moment.
Kaor, DAVID!
Your suggestions here makes sense. Also, a person might still be out of touch in a story. All he has to do, for whatever reason, is turn the phone OFF. Or if he loses the phone that too will get him out of touch. Such a person might turn off his phone because he does not want to be bothered for a week or so.
Sean
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