A Proto-Future History II

Regular blog readers will understand when I explain that I have visited Andrea above the Old Pier Bookshop today and therefore have not posted until now. 

I am still appreciating Poul Anderson's skilful transition from his novel, The Enemy Stars, to his short story, "The Ways of Love." Nominally, three characters continue from the novel into the short story: Terangi and Tamara Maclaren and an alien. In practice, the entire character of the alien is created de novo for the short story. This alien species could have been presented in an independent story or novel but Anderson puts it to much better use by staying with the scenario of The Enemy Stars. We see that historically significant events are about to occur and indeed could have been recounted in further sequels. On the level of individual characters, Tamara has borne one child by her first husband and two more by Terangi. These three therefore would have been young adults in another decade plus. We want all of Anderson's fictional futures to continue indefinitely but this is impossible.