Book Review: Elves and Goblins: Perspectives of a Father's Rebellion

by: Rex Jameson

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Synopsis: (Goodreads)
The elves have spent the last three hundred years in quiet martyrdom while the goblins have built their towns and great markets. At first, the elven sacrifices had seemed worth it for the sake of peace. No more war would mean greater prosperity, and everyone would benefit. But as the goblins' success grew, so did their persecution and isolation of the elves. Without jobs, money or hope, the elven population declined, and the goblin men herded them into camps far from the great trees, universities, and streets of the bustling goblin towns. A fatal disease now spreads in the melancholy camps, taking the husbands, wives, sons, and daughters of the decimated race. And as a father looks into the eyes of his dying son, the last of his line, he realizes he has no choice but to break the centuries-long truce.

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"Elves and Goblins: Perspectives of a Father's Rebellion" is a 14,500 word (approx. 58 pages) novelette and followup to "Angels and Demons: Perspectives of a Violent Afterlife". "Elves and Goblins" is a distinct work from its predecessor that presents perspectives of a father's journey to find a cure for his son.

PRODUCT WARNING: This work contains graphic violence and alludes to sexual activity. It also has guns, grisly alternative uses for kitchen cutlery, and some naked goblins who deserve what's coming to them.

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The product warning made me chuckle, but the story did not. It was dead serious about a group of people being pushed to the fringes of society. Having their rights removed so slowly that they barely noticed until it was too late. For example, Rex writes about how the Elves were denied drivers' licenses because the Goblins told them they were low on laminating supplies. Then the Goblins issue a study that finds that Elves can't drive at night, so maybe they shouldn't drive at all.

The elves don't even get to call their town a town...it's a camp. Because towns get to have rights and medical care. The main character used to be a warrior, but there is no need for warriors in the Goblin world. Oh the goblins are peaceful people you say? Not necessarily. They have machinery to take up the slack should they have need. So are the Elves allowed to educate themselves, to find a place in society?

This book is eerie when you bear in mind what is going on in our own society. It just feels like we are moving backwards in so many ways. As if this story is a warning about where things can end up.