Re: (Tears) Report on Probability A by Brian W. Aldiss

On 10/06/24 04:19, Don wrote:

James Nicoll wrote:

Report on Probability A by Brian W. Aldiss
>
A New Wave tale of observational recursion,
>
https://jamesdavisnicoll.com/review/a-straight-a-student

 
Thank you for the embedded link to _The Hireling Shepherd_. It's another
example where an artistic image's blatant symbolism clobbers me in the
head with the force of the stupid hammer.
    _The Hireling Shepherd_ brings to mind a similar sexual situation in
_Fifth Business_ (Davies). The author, apparently an aficionado of
Shakespeare, kindly defines Fifth Business in his preface. Perhaps you,
in your role of theater staff member, also recognize the phrase, James.
 
    Fifth Business … Definition
 
    Those roles which, being neither those of
    Hero nor Heroine, Confidante nor Villain,
    but which were none the less essential to
    bring about the Recognition or the dénouement
    were called the Fifth Business in drama
    and opera companies organized according
    to the old style; the player who acted these
    parts was often referred to as Fifth Business.
 
    —Tho. Overskou, Den Danske Skueplads
 
Here's an excerpt from Davies' speculative stream-of-consciousness story
simulacrum

Which omits St Dempster's relevant background and history.

- whose pointless plotlessness makes it merely a wannabe

story

Refuted elsewhere in thread.

 despite all of its fine wordmanship.

Yes, he is just amazing.

 Its anti-Christian narrative

hits me square between the eyes with the stupid hammer.
 

I don't know what you mean there. The book states clearly that there is
nothing inherently moral about Christianity. In the passage you quoted,
who behaved like a Christian, Mrs Dempster or her husband?