Having now reread all three Maurai short stories, what can we say about the series so far?
There is:
historical progression;
an unusual amount of argument about the issues between the characters;
also unusually, in this literary context, a future history series with no hint of space travel except as an occasionally mentioned aspiration.
Future religion:
the Californians have thrown out the Mong and also, by implication, their Asian gods;
in Sannacruse, it is fashionable to worship the Maurai Tanaroa, Lesu Haristi etc;
the Meycans still worship Esu Carito;
there are also scientifically oriented secularists.
Incidentally, we have previously commended Anderson's respect for religion and his sympathetic treatment of different kinds of religious believers and have compared some of his works to those of CS Lewis but, for a truly dreadful version of Christianity in futuristic fiction, check out the Left Behind series some time.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I think some mention should have been made of the implausibility of metals being extremely rare and costly. Stirling pointed out smaller scale iron ore deposits would be available for mining; and I added millions of pre-Judgement cars, machines, and metal products of all kinds should have been available for smelting down and reusing.
I think the Meycans being orthodox Catholic Christians. That was certainly the impression I got from "The Sky People."
Ad astra! Sean
Also, the Maurai policy in "Windmill" is short-sighted. The guy they back isn't going to be around forever, and they're identifying their conservation policies with him, thus probably making them deeply unpopular.
I'm reminded of the "Proclamation Line" of 1763, prohibiting white Americans from settling west of the Appalachian crest.
The British did that to prevent expensive Indian wars, and also to keep Americans from settling too far from the sea and trade with Britain.
It was bitterly unpopular -- one reason for strong American support for the Empire's war effort during the 7 Years War (aka "French and Indian War") was the prospect of rapid expansion into the interior, with cheap land for all, after victory.
That was one of the most important elements in turning colonial opinion against Britain during the run-up to the Revolution; siding with Indians against their own people.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Yes, that Proclamation Line of 1763 was a huge factor in alienating the Old Colonies from the British Empire. Because NOTHING could stop that fierce, devouring hunger for land! What Crown and Parliament should have done was to manage that land hunger in ways that would keep the colonies loyal. And I would hope the Crown would have handled the Indian tribes better than did the US Gov't. As was done in Canada.
Ad astra! Sean
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