On an extra-solar planet, aliens approach human explorers and one of them speaks:
"'They don't act like a war party,' [Captain Hamilton] said. His voice and the low murmur of wind were the only sounds." (p. 56)
Regular blog readers know why I quote this. Yet again the wind provides a background sound effect for the action and dialogue. This time, it is neither a threatening roar nor a peaceful breeze but a "low murmur," implying uncertainty, ambiguity, maybe a potential threat. Anderson's winds are always appropriate although they are not like that in real life. It is as if the author is advising film-makers in advance on what kind of sound effects to provide.
3 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
Some of Solzhenitsyn's "polyphonic" novels have explicit directions in how he would have certain sections of those books filmed. Which I thought interesting.
Ad astra! Sean
Of course, war parties don't always act hostile. They may be trying to lull you into letting down your guard.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Which reminds me of what I read in Sun-Tzu's THE ART OF WAR.
Ad astra! Sean
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