The perils of reading science fiction

[peake]

One of the things we become experienced at doing when we read sf is picking up on clues about the world. An artfully dropped name can tell you all about the alternate history you are in, a casual phrase can give you vital information about the technology available, and so on. It’s what Samuel Delany was talking about when he discussed the way sf

Comments

[verdandiweaves]

No to excuse the author, who should have checked, but isn't this what editors are for? Personally, either way I'd be annoyed. If it is an alternate reality I'd feel I'd been hoodwinked - like when a physical description of a character isn't given until chapter eight and in your mind they are tall and blonde and attractive, and the authors suddenly describes them as short, brunnette and ugly. If it isn't an alternate reality I would be doubtful about the integrity of the story throughout - and unless I was being paid to review there would be a good chance the book would end up in the give away pile.

[verdandiweaves]

Yes, well, we all know authors are idiots. :)

[replyhazy]

Another example of how it's dangerous to know too much!

[drasecretcampus]

On the one hand the Tucker motorcar in Time Out of Joint, on the other a spire for Lincoln Cathedral in The Separation

[lil_shepherd]

This is why I cannot read historical fiction...

I could even have given a fairly accurate guess at the date the Mini was introduced, without consulting Wikipedia.