<영어로 읽는 SF소설 _ 키스 라우머의 붉은 산의 외교관>
“Retief of the Red Tape Mountain “은 키스 라우머(Keith Laumer)가 1962년에 출판한 공상과학 소설로, 외교관 Retief가 외계 행성에서 벌어지는 분쟁을 해결하기 위해 파견되는 내용이다.
이 소설은 외교적 분쟁 해결이라는 주제를 SF적으로 그려내고 있다. 전쟁이 한창인 행성에 홀로 착륙을 시도하는 Retief의 대담함이 돋보이며, 그가 극한 상황을 어떻게 타개할지 궁금증을 자아낸다.
“Retief of the Red Tape Mountain” is a science fiction novel published in 1962 by Keith Laumer about Retief, a diplomat, who is sent to resolve a conflict on an alien planet.
This novel depicts the theme of diplomatic dispute resolution in a science fiction style. Retief's boldness as he attempts to land alone on a planet in the midst of war stands out, raising curiosity about how he will overcome the extreme situation.
Summary
Retief knew the importance of sealed orders—and the need to keep them that way!
Consul Passwyn delivers a sealed order to Vice-Consul Retief to resolve the issue of Earthling settlers in conflict with the native life form Jaq on the planet Adobe. Passwyn proposed an evacuation of the settlers, but this was not accepted, and now the impossible task of reconciliation between the two sides and division of the territory must be accomplished.
The mail ship on which Retief left the space station discovered the fighting taking place on the planet and immediately turned around, but despite the pilot's dissuasion, Retief entered the planet in a lifeboat.
Someone launches a banned nuclear weapon and pursues Retief, but he quickly avoids radiation exposure through evasive maneuvers, but is hit by a missile launched from the surface, causing the lifeboat to overturn, and Retief crashes, engulfed in smoke... .
Keith Laumer (1925-1993)는 미국의 과학 소설 작가로, 주로 1950년대부터 1980년대까지 활동했다. 그의 작품들은 주로 과학 소설, 판타지, 스파이 스릴러 등 다양한 장르에 걸쳐 있으며, 특히 특이한 캐릭터와 창의적인 전개로 유명하다.
작가의 주요 작품은 다음과 같다.
1. Retief Series: Retief는 국제 외교 기구에서 활동하는 외교관으로, 불합리한 비서 관리와 대립적인 외계 생명체들과의 협상에서 유머와 풍자를 가미한 이야기가 특징이다.
2. Bolo Series: 이 시리즈는 거대하고 강력한 전투 로봇인 Bolo에 관한 이야기로, 인류를 보호하고 싸우는 고무적인 캐릭터들이 등장한다.
3. A Trace of Memory: 이 소설은 주인공이 자신의 아이덴티티와 과거를 되찾기 위해 사건의 뒤를 추적하면서 고전적인 장르를 탐험한다.
Keith Laumer은 그의 작품을 통해 사회 비판과 유머, 그리고 인류의 도전과제에 대한 논의를 하며 독창적인 세계를 구축하는 데 중점을 두고 있다. 그의 작품은 여전히 과학 소설 팬들 사이에서 인기가 있으며, 그의 창의적인 사고와 풍부한 상상력으로 잘 알려져 있다.
Keith Laumer (1925-1993) was an American science fiction writer, active primarily from the 1950s to the 1980s. His works mainly span a variety of genres, including science fiction, fantasy, and spy thrillers, and are especially famous for their unusual characters and creative development.
The author's major works are as follows:
1. Retief Series: Retief is a diplomat active in an international diplomatic organization, and the story is characterized by humor and satire in negotiations with unreasonable secretarial management and conflicting alien life forms.
2. Bolo Series: This series is about Bolo, a huge and powerful battle robot, and features inspiring characters who fight and protect humanity.
3. A Trace of Memory: This novel explores a classic genre as the protagonist traces events to regain his identity and past.
Through his works, Keith Laumer focuses on social criticism, humor, and discussion of humanity's challenges, as well as building an original world. His work remains popular among science fiction fans, and he is well known for his creative thinking and rich imagination.