"Holger consumed the meal with appetite and afterward thought wistfully of coffee and a smoke. But wartime shortages had somewhat weaned him from those pleasant vices." (CHAPTER THREE, pp. 23-24)
We have noticed the absence of coffee in other times and realms here but have not previously mentioned wartime shortages. Holger is not the only fictional character to depart for another world during World War II. See also CS Lewis':
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
Perelandra
The Great Divorce
The Lion... mentions the Blitz. Perelandra mentions blackout restrictions. The Great Divorce ends with an air raid siren. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters is also set during WWII.
Poul Anderson's Time Patrolman, Manse Everard, visits London during the Blitz.
Holger:
"...had never gone in for reading romances, scientific or otherwise..." (CHAPTER TWO, p. 20)
Scientific romances are what Lewis knew as "scientifiction" and what we call science fiction.
In an early edition of a novel by HG Wells, the list of other titles by the same author included not the heading "Science Fiction" but the sentence, "Mr. Wells has also written the following fantastic and imaginative romances."
John Buchan wrote not "The King liked my books" but "He did me the honour to be amused by my romances."
Three Hearts... is a romance, scientific or otherwise...
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteFrustrated, I tried twice to leave a comment here, but they disappeared. I hope one can be retrieved after you come back from your holiday. If it's not too much trouble.
Ad astra! Sean
There's a contrast between the hardships inflicted by WW2 and the otherworldly conflicts mentioned in the books -- they're ho-hum and pedestrian (except for death, of course) whereas the ones in other worlds are wildly exotic.
ReplyDeleteThey amount to the same thing, however.
From Sean M. Brooks:
ReplyDeleteKaor, Paul!
Besides "scientific romances," there's also "scientifantasies."
That quote from John Buchan, on how his stories amused the King (George V?) reminded me of how something happened to another writer, H. Rider Haggard, so I thought it right to quote the dedication he added to ERIC BRIGHTEYES.
===================================
Madam,
You have graciously conveyed to me the intelligence that during the weary weeks spent far from his home--in alternate hope and fear, in suffering and mortal trial--a Prince whose memory all men must reverence, the Emperor Frederick, found pleasure in the reading of my stories: that they 'interested and fascinated him.'
While the world was watching daily at the bedside of your Majesty's Imperial husband, while many were endeavouring to learn courage in our supremost need from the spectacle of that heroic patience, a distant writer little knew that it had been his fortune to bring to such a sufferer an hour's forgetfulness of sorrow and pain.
This knowledge, to an author, is far dearer than any praise, and it is in gratitude that, with your Majesty's permission, I venture to dedicate to you the tale of Eric Brighteyes.
The late Emperor, at heart a lover of peace, though by duty a soldier of soldiers, might perhaps have cared to interest himself in a warrior of long ago, a hero of our Northern stock, whose days were spent in strife, and whose latest desire was Rest. But it may not be; like the golden Eric of this Saga, and after a nobler fashion, he has passed through the Hundred Gates into the Valhalla of Renown.
To you then, Madam, I dedicate this book, a token, however slight and unworthy, of profound respect and sympathy.
I am, Madam,
Your Majesty's most obedient servant,
H. Rider Haggard
November 27, 1890
To H.I.M. Victoria, Empress Frederick of Germany.
What interested me about your comment re Buchan was how fans of romances, scientific or otherwise, can be found anywhere, in the highest of positions or not. Haggard was obviously very pleased that his stories gave some pleasure and distraction to a man dying of cancer.
Now I wonder, was Anderson also a fan of the works of Buchan and Haggard? I can easily imagine enjoying many of their stories. Given his deep interest in the Icelandic sagas, I can see Anderson reading ERIC BRIGHTEYES and many others of Haggard's works.
Unfortunately, I don't think I read any of Buchan's stories. I fear he might be one of those writers who undeservedly fade away. I do know he was raised to the peerage and appointed Governor General of Canada by George V.
Ad astra! Sean
Kaor, Paul!
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for "resurrecting" the first of my three attempts at quoting here Haggard's dedication for ERIC BRIGHTEYES. Along with my attached comments. Baffling, how all of them disappeared after I uploaded them.
Ad astra! Sean