|
Other examples:
Athiesm is a belief as a much as not stamp collecting is a hobby.
Internally consistent is a must.
I don't care what rules are broken in the setting up of the world ( and the degree to which it departs from our reality defines it as SF or F for me) - providing they are somehow explained during the course of the text. But the logical consequences of those rules must be adherred to.
I'd have no problems with Manhatten being a spared zone in a nuclear war. Yes it's not likely, but it's the author's basic premise so that's ok. BUT the inhabitents must be able to support themselves, so eating escaped zoo animals in central park is fine, buying stuff from supermarkets isn't. Surviving for years/decades on what was left in the supermarket shelves also isn't!
Many fantasy books are particularly rubbish at this. A small country that's nearly all inhospitabal terrain, with very very few farmers, markets etc to support he villages and towns that the hero conveniently passes through.
|