Chapter I is narrated entirely from the point of view (pov) of Skip and ends when he has an Andersonian moment of realization. A spacecraft from Sigma Draconis is orbiting in the Solar System. Puzzled by the continued failure of scientists and politicians to establish communication with the Sigman, as the single extra-solar alien in the spacecraft is called, Skip speculates about the Sigman's motivations, then suddenly stops speaking:
"'If -'" (p. 14)
His mouth falls open, he drops his fork and yells - all the signs of an Andersonian moment. We know that we will have to wait to learn what his realization is, especially since this is the end of a chapter and the following chapter introduces a new character in a new setting.
I have read The Byworlder at least twice before but cannot remember what Skip's realization is. Is it that the Sigman's motivations might be not scientific but artistic - what with Skip being an artistic kind of guy?
The opening passage of Chapter II begins with the pov of Yvonne Canter:
"...Yvonne Canter reflected." (p. 15)
"That's what they think, Yvonne told herself." (ibid.)
- but inexplicably changes pov:
"Almeida doubted Yvonne had had any bed partner in life except her husband..." (p. 17)
A double space between paragraphs immediately before:
"Almeida studied her." (p. 16)
- should have been used to mark the change of povs.
A double space on p. 17 does mark the return to Yvonne's pov and also a change of scene because she is now in space approaching the Sigman's vessel.
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
In fairness to those scientists and politicians, it must have seemed natural to them that the best way of communicating with the Sigman by starting with mathematics and the sciences. Work out a common understanding of arithmetic and go on from there.
Ad astra! Sean
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