Poul Anderson, Shield, X.
"...Koskinen glimpsed the rising sun. In that light megalopolis became a romantic, tower-pierced mist-land, where the two rivers and Long Island Sound lay like molten silver. There were not many other cars to be seen. The taxi fled eastward, faster than he wished. Before long the city gave way to garden-scape rolling back from wide beaches, only an occasional Center breaking its serenity." (p. 78)
This passage, quoted out of context, does not make clear that "cars" means "aircars" and that the taxi carrying Koskinen is such a vehicle. Thus, he views the city from above. (In the attached image, he is falling at an earlier point in the narrative.) That "cars" fly is almost assumed in some sf although, of course, it is always also stated.
The mist-land recalls a previously noted "godland."
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
I think the words "The taxi fled eastward..." gives us a hint that THIS is not the usual kind of taxi we are familiar with. How many of us would have written like THAT about a four wheeled ground car on a road? The line does not read quite naturally when thought of like that!
Sean
Post a Comment