Posted by D. G. Wilson on May 08, 1998 at 15:38:35:
In Reply to: Re: Demon Princes vs. Cadwal posted by Foppe Brolsma on May 07, 1998 at 02:32:29:
: I think the main difference is that in the age of the Araminta novels, the Beyond with all its rampant crime has been completely disappeared, probably absorbed into the Oikumene. The age of the Devil princes novels is easily discovered, since Jack constantly mentions dates; the action takes place around the year 3525 AD. Unfortunately, no years are mentioned in the Araminta novels, but I think they take place some 10.000 years later.
: Has anyone noticed any clues in these books on the exact age?
: Foppe Brolsma
In "Ecce & Old Earth" remarks on the history of Nion imply a date of at very least about 4500 AD and probably at least about 5500 AD for the Cadwal series, as compared with 3525 AD for the Demon Princes series. So probably an interval of about 2000 years or more and certainly no less than about 1000 years. The speculation of 10,000 years is not explicitly refuted as far as I can see. I'm unhappy with such a large interval and even with a 1000-2000-year interval because of the lack of obvious technological and social changes but that's how it's written. Perhaps the Institute can be blamed for stifling progress in the Reach? In any case, Vance is not strong on consistencies even within single novels, apparently expressing thoughts as they occur without looking back.