Creative Commons license icon

Feed aggregator

A Crusade is a Crusade is a Jihad: White Crusade

Furry Book Reviews - Mon 18 Feb 2008 - 12:24

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."
–George Santayana


Much of substantial furry literature falls most easily into the science fiction genre, or occasionally fantasy if heavy duty magic is involved. Ben Goodridge's White Crusade (Bad Dog Books, 2007, ISBN: 9789079082025, $19.95) is no exception, set five centuries after the collapse of human civilization in a time when the Animal-People are the dominant intelligent races. Human remnants still survive, but most seem to be pitiful and helpless dependents. The exact origin of the animal folk is not clear, but they are at least partly descended from humans and divided into multiple Tribes by both geography and genetics. Most strive to live in harmony with the earth and to avoid the destructive behaviors of their human ancestors. This is the realm of apocalyptic (or sometimes post-apocalyptic) fiction, in which the author tells of events that come to pass after the destruction of civilization as we know it.

Goodridge primarily follows the experiences of Tay of the Wolf-Clan, shaman, healer, and Alpha of his tribe of mixed races, as he learns of the threat posed by the White Crusade and brings all his resources to bear on thwarting the Crusade's goal: the ultimate return of humankind to dominance in the world, and a return to the paradigms of human civilization. Peaceful and gentle Tay finds his world badly shaken on the day that the dying Kaim of the Tiger-Clan crashes into his village in a stolen car, carrying a slow but fatal poison in his veins and a purloined talisman of unknown power stolen from the Crusade's Alpha. While he tries unsuccessfully to save Kaim's life, Tay hands the mysterious Cube over to Zack the trader and Sonac (who can only be described as a geek, I think) and delegates them to determine its power and purpose.

Only when the intelligences trapped inside the Cube speak through Sonac's collection of broken human toys and computers do the three begin to understand the significance of the object and the depth of the threat it poses if returned to the hands of the Crusade. Fleeing the wrath of the approaching and increasingly violent Crusaders, the three animal folk set out on a journey eastward, leaving their home in the Pacific Northwest and heading to the old Midwest, where the Cube's resident voices tell them they will find the other pieces of the puzzle. The arm of the White Crusade is long, and its power great. The three pilgrims encounter many obstacles, most of them the result of direct interference by the Crusade or its sympathizers. The ultimate confrontation on the shore of Lake Michigan at the site of Chicago (now known as Kaago) is one of gigantic power and import. The world is saved of course, but individual destinies are not always what we might wish.

Ben Goodridge has crafted his story believably and in great detail. The mad fury of the Crusade's supporters and their suicidal dedication is clearly demonstrated, and all too believable. In an age in which we see similar events on a smaller scale appearing in the news almost daily, it isn't hard to understand the genuine threat posed by the kind of mob psychology that propels such a movement. While I'm disappointed to see the Animal-People (who all ought in my own mind to be as noble and pure-hearted as Tay himself) caught up in such a violent and hysterical hatred, I suppose I should not be surprised. They are after all, as several of Goodridge's characters remind us, descended from humans and liable to the weaknesses of humanity in the end.

I don't hesitate to admit that I'm squeamish about scenes of graphic violence. This book has several such scenes, but I can't say that they were gratuitous. All contribute to the development of the story and characters, and I couldn't in good conscience say they should be trimmed or omitted. I found them particularly painful, probably because I find them too easily believable. My own belief about the inherent cruelty and lack of empathy on the part of many seems to coincide all too well with the author's assessment. There were also a few points where I felt that the action was a bit rushed, leaving out details that might have better supported the conclusions. Overall, though, White Crusade is a fine work, a captivating tale with characters we can both love and hate and a satisfying if somewhat melancholy conclusion.

The realm of apocalyptic fiction is a rich one that includes such masterful works as Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany, Davy by Edgar Pangborn, and A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller. I recommend all three of those to you, but I place Goodridge's White Crusade right among them in both quality and depth.

Rating: 5 of 5 possible apples

WAFB Baton Rouge Furry Bashing

Culturally F'd - Thu 15 Nov 2007 - 15:23
Categories: Videos