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Long time no write... I've been re-reading the Rod Allbright Alien Adventures quartet, and I have a few questions about certain points. (The third is something I thought of back in 2014, but I got distracted by some other stuff for a few years and never asked about it until now.)
* In book 1, it's said BKR has been on Earth for twelve years. But in books 2 and 3, it's said Rod's father only left about three years previous, shortly after the twins were born, and in book 3, he says he left BEFORE BKR arrived. Which timeframe is right?
* We know Rod was probably twelve at the start of the series, since he was in sixth grade at the time, and the twins are identified as being only three. But just how old is Elspeth?
* In book 3, Seymour names his other half Edgar. Was this a deliberate reference on his part to Rod's favorite author, Edgar Rice Burroughs (whose name he could have heard in Rod's mind)?
Thanks in advance!
Until next time...
Anon e Mouse Jr.
* In book 1, it's said BKR has been on Earth for twelve years. But in books 2 and 3, it's said Rod's father only left about three years previous, shortly after the twins were born, and in book 3, he says he left BEFORE BKR arrived. Which timeframe is right?
* We know Rod was probably twelve at the start of the series, since he was in sixth grade at the time, and the twins are identified as being only three. But just how old is Elspeth?
* In book 3, Seymour names his other half Edgar. Was this a deliberate reference on his part to Rod's favorite author, Edgar Rice Burroughs (whose name he could have heard in Rod's mind)?
Thanks in advance!
Until next time...
Anon e Mouse Jr.
Reply by Bruce Coville
Dear Anon e Mouse (Jr.!)
While I'm delighted to know that you're re-enjoying the Rod Allbright Alien Adventures Quartet, you have to remember that it's been about 20 years since I wrote them. So while it is entirely possible that I did bollix up the timeline, there's no way I could actually comment on it without going back to read all four books over again.
I don't think I assigned Elspeth an age, but my intent was that she would be a year or so younger than Rod.
I can't remember if Seymour's use of Edgar was intentional on my part. Even if not intentional, it might well have been a subconscious thing, because I was certainly writing with Burroughs' sense of pacing in mind.
Good to hear from you!
BC
While I'm delighted to know that you're re-enjoying the Rod Allbright Alien Adventures Quartet, you have to remember that it's been about 20 years since I wrote them. So while it is entirely possible that I did bollix up the timeline, there's no way I could actually comment on it without going back to read all four books over again.
I don't think I assigned Elspeth an age, but my intent was that she would be a year or so younger than Rod.
I can't remember if Seymour's use of Edgar was intentional on my part. Even if not intentional, it might well have been a subconscious thing, because I was certainly writing with Burroughs' sense of pacing in mind.
Good to hear from you!
BC