Fleming's descriptions of exotic locations like Istanbul remind us of sf writers' descriptions of cities on extra-solar planets. Istanbul has Hagia Sophia. Ardaig, ancient capital of Merseia, has the tower on Eidh Hill. See Merseian Prayers.
Appreciating the works of both authors, we reflect that "The Republic of Letters is one," a phrase that I find that I have quoted before although I had completely forgotten what it referred to. See here.
Does sf remain a literary ghetto? Somehow, the description of a real historical city comes across as more substantial and plausible than the comparably detailed description of an imagined city, albeit also ancient, on a terrestroid but extra-solar planet.
3 comments:
See also "The Commonwealth of Letters", the setting of SilverLock by John Myers Myers.
Thank you, Jim.
Kaor, to Both!
Anderson loved SILVERLOCK, a book which I've also read.
Ad astra! Sean
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