This chapter begins with an italicized paragraph:
"The database contained much that became priceless..." (p. 434)
We seem to be reading a later historical account of the outcome of the events of the preceding chapters. However, although the fact is understated, our viewpoint character in this chapter is not posterity but Dominic Flandry reading the stolen Merseian database in secret. The italicized paragraph concludes:
"From previous experience and knowledge, Flandry reconstructed more of the story, conjecturally but with high probability." (ibid.)
Thus, we read a history of:
Emperor Georgios
Crown Prince, then Emperor, Josip
Erik Magnusson of Kraken
Brechdan Ironrede, Hand of the Vach Ynvory
Aycharaych the Chereionite
Olaf Magnusson
- but as conjectured by Flandry. Historical events are filtered through the perspective of a particular prominent character.
4 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I recall that mention of the elderly, dying, well meaning Emperor Georgios in GAME. I would like to have known more about him.
Yes, I do agree Flandry's partly tentative reconstruction of events had to be filtered thru his own mind and perspective. And what he could add thru other sources.
Ad astra! Sean
Kaor, Paul!
Btw, what looks like a little chin tuft in Baen Books image of Flandry for FLANDRY'S LEGACY is not canonical!
Ad astra! Sean
Flandry is uniquely qualified to take the raw -data- and turn it into a highly probable (snd useful) -narrative-.
As Nietzsche said, there are no facts, only -interpretations-, by which I construe his meaning to be that interpretation -- narrative -- gives raw data human meaning.
Which doesn't mean all interpretations are equal, of course.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
I agree. Flandry knew how to be as objective and realistic as possible. Too bad so many of our current leaders, such as "Josip" and his supporters, are not like that.
Ad astra! Sean
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