Seven American Nights

Matthew Davis · 07 May 2002, 17:18 · from urth-v0205.mbox · original

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From: "Matthew Davis" <matthew at michaelscycles.freeserve.co.uk>
Subject: Re: (urth) Seven American Nights
Date: Tue, 7 May 2002 18:18:40 +0100
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> Possibly Gene Wolfe's best work of short fiction is "Seven American
Nights."
> Certainly it's one of my favorites.
>
> But how, given that Nadan's journal only chronicles six nights, are we to
> reconcile this with Wolfe's title?

When I read the story I counted 7 Nights, so never had to try and account
for a missing DAY. Unless I misread, or Americans have some other way of
counting off days and nights, Nadan _does_ spend Seven Nights in America.
The first night takes place between the lines "It's his country bleeding to
death" and "Here it is evening again". Nothing happens during his first
night in America, and it's easy to overlook since he wakes up in the hotel
after getting off the ship. But it is an American Night. Then you can count
off the other six.

--=20

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