“The Light of Bygone” - a science fiction story by British writer Bob (Robert) Shaw . Originally published in August 1966 in Analog Science Fiction and Fact [1] . The story was in the shortlist of the Nebula Prize for the best story in 1966. A year later, he was awarded the Hugo Award for Best Story [1] [2] .
| Light of old | |
|---|---|
| Light Of Other Days | |
| Genre | science fiction |
| Author | Bob show |
| Original language | English |
| Date of writing | 1966 |
| Date of first publication | 1966 |
In the work uses the original idea of "slow glass" - a special glass-like material, through which the light passes not immediately, but after some (different) time [3] .
Later, the author reworked and expanded the story to a novel, which under a slightly changed title ( eng. Other Days, Other Lights ) and was published in 1972. [1]
In Russian, translated by Irina Gurova, the story was first printed in the collection Practical Invention (1974).
Content
Story
The narrator travels northwest Scotland with his wife Selina; their relationship is difficult, and the news of her pregnancy worsened the situation. Their holiday, intended to improve the situation, was not crowned with success. Traveling through a remote area, they find a place where they sell panels with slow glass. It is a glass through which the light passes a long time, even through the years, so the panel of this glass shows a scene from the past. People buy slow glass, which was placed in so that they could later enjoy the view in their homes or workplaces. The best quality of slow glass is estimated by its “thickness”, which corresponds to the number of years of the scenic picture contained in it. The narrator believes that the idea to buy a slow glass could improve his relationship with Selina.
Leaving the car, they walk along the path where they see panels with slow glass facing the lake . They meet with Mr. Hagan, who sits on a low wall in front of a stone farmhouse and looks toward the house. Inside, through the window, they see a young woman, presumably Mrs. Hagan, and a little boy. Hagan pulls the carpet out of the house so Selina can sit on the wall. The narrator, feeling that Mrs. Hagan, looking at them from the inside, does not know about them, is surprised that she does not pay attention to them; Selina notices that her dress does not fit the fashion.
The narrator discusses the price of his slow glass with Hagan. Hagan says how beautiful the view is from there; as he says, the narrator, still looking at the house, is surprised that the little boy does not pay attention to them either. In the end, although Selina is not surprised, the narrator decides to buy slow glass. While Hagan takes out the glass, it starts to rain, so Selina goes into the house to return the carpet. When the door opens, the inside looks messy and squalid; Hagan lives alone. The family scene of the wife and child was many years ago, marked by a slow glass. When the couple leaves them with their purchase, Hagan sadly tells them that his wife and child died in a traffic accident six years ago.
The narrator, walking with his wife back along the path, feels that their relationship is somehow intensified. He looks back at Hagan, who sits in his usual place and looks towards the house ...
Perception
Describing the history of the classic, Algis Budris said that she "seeks to make people cry." [four]
Bibliography
- in English
- Shaw, Bob . Light of Other Days, Nebula Award Stories 2 , Panther Science Fiction (1970).
- in Russian
- Bob Shaw . Light of the past. Translated from English by I. Gurova // In the book: “A Practical Invention”. - M .: Mir, 1974, 260 c. (" Foreign fiction ")
Notes
- 2 1 2 3 Light of Other Days . Internet Speculative Fiction Database. The appeal date is October 10, 2013.
- ↑ Bob Shaw . Fantastic Fiction. The appeal date is October 10, 2013.
- ↑ Themes: Slow Glass (Eng.) . The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction . www.sf-encyclopedia.com. The appeal date is June 27, 2018.
- ↑ Budrys, Algis. Galaxy Bookshelf (Neopr.) // Galaxy Science Fiction. - 1968. - October. - p . 164-171 .
Links
- "The Light of Bygone" on the site " Laboratory of Science Fiction "