Poul Anderson's
A Midsummer Tempest is, from p. 1, is an alternative history novel so it is acceptable that the execution of Charles I and the Interregnum are prevented but what do the rules of fiction allow? Suppose someone were to write a series of ten novels set in England in the 1650s, then, in Volume XI, set in 1660, were to describe the continuance of the Commonwealth without any Restoration of the Monarchy? Readers would rightly object that they thought that they had been reading historical fiction, not alternative history fiction.
Similarly, it is acceptable that a spaceship arrives on Earth in 1345 at the beginning of Anderson's
The High Crusade but such an arrival would be grotesquely unacceptable in Volume XI of our hypothetical series set in the 1650s and 1660.
Genres can interact but must do so discretely, respecting the integrity of each internally coherent narrative. We appreciate Nicholas van Rijn's surprise guest appearance in the Old Phoenix but he rightly makes no mention of such a fantasy realm back in the hard sf setting of his own series.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
It would be interesting to see an ALTERNATE history novel about a Cromwellian Protectorate which did not soon collapse after Oliver's death. What might have happened if the Usurper had lived till 1668 and been succeeded as Protector by his able son Henry, instead of the ineffectual Richard?
I also agree it was artistically right of Anderson to NOT have Old Nick giving readers hints in the Technic stories about having visited the Old Phoenix inn.
Ad astra! Sean
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