Alternate histories

My novel Parallel U. - Freshman Year is about a university where all the students are from parallel universes. For some of my readers, this will be the first time you encounter the concept of a parallel universe—one similar to our own, but which differs in one or more pivotal way. In fact parallel worlds have been a mainstay of science fiction for decades; though the term many aficionados prefer for the genre is "alternate histories"—because each parallel world is the result of a point in history at which our world went one way, and the fictional world in question, another.

One of my favorite alternate histories is Robert Silverberg's Ruled Britannia. Its point of departure is the attempted invasion of England by the Spanish Armada in 1588. In our universe, of course, the smaller, more nimble English fleet (aided by some killer winds) pulverized the bloated, slow-moving Armada, and ushered in an era of English triumphalism. But in Silverberg's novel, which opens in 1597, it's the Spanish who won; and for the past decade, England has been ruled by Spain, its Protestant religion outlawed and Roman Catholicism re-imposed, and the aged Queen Elizabeth imprisoned in favor of the King of Spain's daughter, Isabella. The novel's protagonist is a young playwright who's recruited by the nationalist underground to write a drama that will incite London to overthrow the Spanish occupation. The playwright's name—well, what else could it be but William Shakespeare? It's great, tub-thumping stuff, and it appeals not only to my own personal fondness for the Tudor period and for all things Shakespeare...it also adds in another layer of interest, in Shakespeare choosing for his rabble-rousing play the subject of Boudicca, the ancient British queen who led a rebellion against the Romans.

Speaking of my mania for Rome—both republic and empire—Robert Silverberg, another exalted name in science fiction circles, delivers up a virtual Disneyland in Roma Eterna, whose premise is that the Roman Empire never declines and falls. Readers of Parallel U. will recognize that this is the story of my Parallel 24, where Fabia Terentia, one of my principal characters, originates; and in fact Parallel 24 was directly inspired by my reading of Silverberg's book. By deftly weaving a story that involves Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed all being sidelined, so that the rise of Jews, Christians, and Muslims never has a chance to impede Rome's progress, Silverberg made me believe such a thing was actually possible. (I did, however, feel obliged to make my Parallel-24 Rome different from Silverberg's Rome; to which end, I established a 200-year period in which the empire was occupied by the Mongols. And as long as I'm giving credit where credit is due, let me just add that this idea was directly inspired by my listening to Dan Carlin's riveting five-part podcast on the history of the Mongol empire, Wrath of the Khans, during the time I was writing Parallel U.) Where Roma Eterna differs from most alternate histories is in its format; it's not a novel, but a series of interrelated short stories, beginning in antiquity and continuing up through what, in our world, we call the 20th Century. It's an amazing, endlessly juicy read; I highly recommend it.

For those of you who might like to dip your toe into the alternative history pond without leaping into an entire 300-400 page book, let me also recommend Jordan Harbour's podcast Twilight Histories, which applies the concept to the venerable radio-play format, and does a consistently excellent job of it. There's a whole archive of podcasts set in parallel realities covering literally thousands of years, so you can find one that sparks your personal interest to begin, then keep going with all the rest. I only recently discovered this ongoing gem, and I'm having a blast with it. Even better, most of the programs are free on iTunes...and the few extras that are for purchase, are at a bargain price.

Happy reading/listening...and, oh yeah, happy new year!