Real Life And Fiction

We live in one world and imagine others, including those listed in the previous post. The real world is where the others are created and they directly or indirectly reflect it. Thus, despite its fantastic context, the conflict between Nicholas van Rijn and David Falkayn in "Lodestar" feels as real as any experienced in real life. In various works, fictional characters face death, as we must. 

"Lodestar" should join the list here of special moments in the Technic History, together with "How To Be Ethnic In One Easy Lesson" and The People Of The Wind. "Lodestar" summarizes economic developments in the Solar Commonwealth and the Polesotechnic League and, within that context, presents an authentic generation gap between Nicholas van Rijn and his granddaughter, Coya Conyon. It is a turning point both for Technic civilization and in the lives of the characters. David Falkayn, younger than van Rijn but older than Coya, not only defies his employer but is about to become monogamous.