I might summarize Wright's discussion of Robert Heinlein's "By His Bootstraps," then contrast that Heinlein story with Poul Anderson's There Will Be Time. Although both these works describe closed causal loops, Anderson's novel presents a much more open ended narrative than does Heinlein's shorter work. I might also want to discuss other aspects of Wright's article. However, I should do all this on "Logic of Time Travel" rather than on "Poul Anderson Appreciation." I mention this here because very few people read the other blogs. If I do write any of this on that blog, then I will link to it from here.
Meanwhile, on this blog, I remain fascinated by Poul Anderson's Technic History. Larry Niven wrote:
"There is something about future histories, and Known Space in particular, that gets to people."
-Larry Niven, "Introduction: My Universe and Welcome to It!" IN Niven, Tales Of Known Space (New York, 1975), pp. xi-xiv AT p. xiii.
For me, the "in particular" future history series is the Technic History, not Known Space. The periods of van Rijn and Flandry are solider than those of Garner or Shaeffer. Ythrians and Mersians are more credible and interesting than either Puppeteers or kzinti - although the Puppeteers are excellent non-humanoid aliens.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
To bring to mind what Mr. Stirling said, writing or talking about time traveling hurts my head! Which doesn't mean I can't enjoy Anderson's time traveling stories. Just that it's hard to make sense of it.
I have nothing against Larry Niven's Known Space series, much of it I have read with pleasure. But I agree with you in saying Anderson's Technic series is very "particular" to me. The Old Nick and Dominic Flandry stories FEEL solid and real to me. Including Anderson's non-humans.
Jerry Pournelle's Co-Dominium series also feels solid to me, if not quite as fleshed out as the Technic stories.
Sean
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