Friday 21 June 2024

Night, Moon And Wine

Poul Anderson, Genesis (New York, 2001), PART TWO, VII, 10.

OK. I am seeking out every detail of the eighteenth century emulation and here is another:

"The night was young and gentle. A full moon dappled the garden. Wine had raised a happy mood, barely tinged with wistfulness. Gravel scrunched rhythmically underfoot as Laurinda and Christian danced, humming the waltz melody together. When they were done, they sat down, laughing, by the basin. Brightness from above overflowed it." (p. 195)

That basin is developing a history. On pp. 146-147, paths, hedges and flowerbeds surrounded:

"...a lichened stone basin where goldfish swam." (2, p. 147)

On p. 175, Christian and Laurinda sat:

"...on a bench by the fish basin." (4, p. 175)

On this, its third, appearance, it is described only as "the basin" and again they sit beside it.

Our next visit to the emulation is inside the house:

"The room was warm. It smelled of lovemaking and the roses Laurinda had set in a vase. Evening light diffused through gaudy drapes to wash over a big four poster bed." (VIII, 10, p. 216)

Whatever happens, there are always colourful details.

1 comment:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

What puzzled me was Laurinda and Christian being described as dancing on a gravel path--which does not seem a good place for dancing, due to it being an uneven and rough surface.

Ad astra! Sean