In 1951, Jack Havig tells Robert Anderson that he has been in the future:
"'I came home after a month's absence. But I'd spent about eighteen months away. From the fall of 1969 to the end of 1970.'
"After a moment, he added: 'That's not a whole year and a half. But you've got to count my visits to the further future.'
"Steam hissed in the radiator." (pp. 35-36)
The steam performs the same function that thunder often performs in Poul Anderson's works. It underlines the dialogue and indicates that the characters have paused to think so that they become more aware of background sounds. In this case, steam hissing in a radiator also reminds us of the period in which the dialogue occurs. Readers notice such details subliminally but might not reflect on them consciously.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
Ha! My house is old enough that it has steam radiators for heating. They still work, so why go to the expense of replacing them? (Smiles)
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment