Jubal_Harshaw
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2021
- Messages
- 36
I do not recall if this was a collection of short stories, novellas or novels.
The premise is a post-apocalyptic world in which humanity is beginning to crawl out of the ashes. We see (as I recall) three "technological" cultures, based in Polynesia, in India and in the Rocky Mountains of North America. The Polynesian culture started in New Zealand and spread from there. They call themselves Maori, but (to some unknown extent) they also include the descendants of the "fretful old Ingliss." We do not know how much time has passed since the apocalyptic event.
In the earliest story, the Maori-led nation is exploring the world for the first time, on a mission to determine whether they are the only "technological" society on the planet. We meet them as they are exploring the west coast of Mexico ("now," the "Four Mexicos" as I recall) and interacting with the people. The Mexicans still have a culture, rebuilt from before the apocalypse, but it is entirely static and thus NOT what the Maori are seeking. But during the visit, the Mexican town/city is attacked FROM THE SKY by blue-eyed blondes in crude blimps, who attack by parachuting down to the surface and looting ... basically, barbarian sky pirates. It turns out that the raiders are based in a country in the Rocky Mountains. It breaks the heart of the Maori captain, because he must abandon his friendship with the static Mexicans in order to seek friendship/alliance on behalf of his people with the barbaric (but technological) North Americans.
The stories sort of "jump forward" in time, with huge gaps, and the Maori DO find other technological cultures. The one that I REMEMBER is based in India and is again completely caste-based. There may have been one in Europe somewhere, too. By the second story (that I remember) the Maori have been allied with the North Americans for some time, have civilized them to some extent and have even improved and adopted the use of their blimps. I THINK that this alliance finds itself at odds with the caste-based Indian culture.
Any ideas?
The premise is a post-apocalyptic world in which humanity is beginning to crawl out of the ashes. We see (as I recall) three "technological" cultures, based in Polynesia, in India and in the Rocky Mountains of North America. The Polynesian culture started in New Zealand and spread from there. They call themselves Maori, but (to some unknown extent) they also include the descendants of the "fretful old Ingliss." We do not know how much time has passed since the apocalyptic event.
In the earliest story, the Maori-led nation is exploring the world for the first time, on a mission to determine whether they are the only "technological" society on the planet. We meet them as they are exploring the west coast of Mexico ("now," the "Four Mexicos" as I recall) and interacting with the people. The Mexicans still have a culture, rebuilt from before the apocalypse, but it is entirely static and thus NOT what the Maori are seeking. But during the visit, the Mexican town/city is attacked FROM THE SKY by blue-eyed blondes in crude blimps, who attack by parachuting down to the surface and looting ... basically, barbarian sky pirates. It turns out that the raiders are based in a country in the Rocky Mountains. It breaks the heart of the Maori captain, because he must abandon his friendship with the static Mexicans in order to seek friendship/alliance on behalf of his people with the barbaric (but technological) North Americans.
The stories sort of "jump forward" in time, with huge gaps, and the Maori DO find other technological cultures. The one that I REMEMBER is based in India and is again completely caste-based. There may have been one in Europe somewhere, too. By the second story (that I remember) the Maori have been allied with the North Americans for some time, have civilized them to some extent and have even improved and adopted the use of their blimps. I THINK that this alliance finds itself at odds with the caste-based Indian culture.
Any ideas?
