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 Happy Policeman by Patricia Anthony
reviewed by Underview
Original appearance: Albedo one issue 10, 1996
In most Underview columns HAPPY POLICEMAN by PATRICIA ANTHONY would come out as clear number one. This is not merely an intelligent and entertaining science fiction novel. Featuring the aftermath of an alien invsasion - which is also the aftemath of a globally destructive atomic war (or is it?) - this does not really have to be science fiction. I don't mean that in a negative way, I merely wish to highlight that the interaction of the community in its isolation is interesting enough in itself to survive the excision of the SF premise.
HAPPY POLICEMAN is a story about small town America, about the internal pressures of a small community and about human frailty; characters real enough to weep for in their petty stupidities and weaknesses. In the aftermath of a nuclear war (maybe) a band of aliens, the Torku, have chosen to save a single town: Coomey, Texas. The Torku, have erected a barrier around the town, through which only the empty static of the radio waves can penetrate. The Torku supply everybody's needs and communicate with the town through the sherriff, DeWitt Dawson. When one of the townsfolk, Loretta Harper, is found dead it throws the situation into turmoil. On the surface it appears that the Torku may have killed her and the citizens suspect DeWitt of looking everywhere except at the obvious, because he is afraid of what the aliens might do if he confronts them. Even DeWitt is unsure of his own motives. The Torku are certainly doing a good job of covering up after Loretta's death. And where have her children gone?
HAPPY POLICEMAN bores deep intothe mind and the insecurity of the troubled sherriff, showing us a man alienated from his community, too scared to confront his own personal demons as well as those of the town in general. A brilliant psychological investigation which just happens to be great science fiction, it is also a marvellous read.
 Brother Termite by Patricia Anthony
reviewed by XXXXX
Original appearance: Albedo one issue ??, date?
There are very few books which are just right. Mostly they're either too long or too short, they've got too little action (or too much), there's not enough characterisation, there's too little plot (or too much) or else they're just plain badly written. Now there are plenty of other faults a novel can have, the list could go on for pages and pages, but the list above covers a good ninety percent of the territory, a lot of what's left would be mere nit picking. However, BROTHER TERMITE is that rare novel against which none of my list of faults can be levelled. It's just a very good story, peopled with really good characters, which is really well told.
In the world Patricia Anthony has created, Earth was visited in the nineteen fifties by an alien race. The aliens have a hive mind and can do little on an individual basis apart from a few at the very peak of their pyramidal social structure. But each member of the species relies on the presence others for its sanity and survival.
The action takes place in our present (now the recent past) in an America which is run by a President who is little more than a figurehead for the aliens. Most of the decisions are made by the White House Chief of Staff, Reen, who is an alien.
The humans have been made believe over the fifty years of alien visitation, (occupation is more correct but the human race in Anthony's novel would not agree with its use) that the aliens have their best interests at heart. But all is not well. The world's population is in decline which is explained away by negative psychological effects of meeting a superior race. And Reen seems to be at odds with his brother aliens, more in sympathy with the humans than he should be. In fact, all the aliens with close connections to humans have been affected with somewhat human emotions and desires. The aliens have cross bred with humanity, on a purely experimental basis, and the progeny are viable. Reen has a daughter whom he actually loves; as against the impersonal mass reproduction of the aliens.
But there is something the aliens are not telling the humans. Something to do with the survival of both races.
Patricia Anthony has crafted a wonderful novel featuring believable aliens. Not only that, but she has mostly told the story from their viewpoint. BROTHER TERMITE is simply breathtaking. It is a small, intimate novel with everything in the right place and like the best cuisine it leaves you wanting more. Buy this tiny helping of perfection. Treat yourself to soufflé as a break from some of the puddings (not only metaphorical) you've been reading.
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