The Loafers Of Refuge by Joseph Green (book review).
This is my first encounter with American author Joseph Green, also known as Joseph L. Green (1931–), but upon further research, I discovered that he is a prolific writer of short stories. As I read this book, it became clear to me that ‘The Loafers of Refuge’ is actually a compilation of short stories from ‘New Worlds Science Fiction’, published between 1962-1963.
In 2092, overpopulation on Earth has led to the establishment of colony worlds on various planets. Teleportation is possible, but not with living organics yet. It appears that this reality boasts faster-than-light travel, as evidenced by the mere months it takes to reach Antares. The Refuge is an inhabited planet that humans colonize, assisted by the Loafers. Described as hairy humanoid empaths, those who undergo the manhood rites are also known as controllers due to their ability to control and communicate with the wills of other species.
They do so as friends of nature. Carey Sheldon, who is eighteen years old, was among the first humans to do this at the time. Along with his Loafer pal, Timmy, their duty is principally to sort out problems between both species, as the settlers are mostly farmers growing nuts for the Earth population. In many ways, Refuge resembles the settlements of the old West without cowboys, but with a science fiction twist.
We see this world change over the years and through the Sheldons and Timmy. Particularly, as Doreen Sheldon solves the teleportation issue with the sentient breshwahr trees, it expands the scope of the frequently enforced off-world human migration.
Timmy, on his own journey of self-discovery and seeing the various tribes of his people, is distressed by how they are adopting human habits and returns determined to change them.
In many ways, this book is not about confrontation, but rather about how the two species coexist on this planet. Green’s writing excels at describing people, particularly their interactions, and it feels like a surprising revelation to me. He makes for a compelling read here.
If there is a flaw, there is no explanation of what is different about this world that gifts this controller talent to not only Loafers but some humans as well. Green notes that they eat various local foods, but they do not contribute to these abilities. Before we had these things, a science fiction ecology novel was published.
GF Willmetts
October 2024
(pub: Pan, 1967 – 2nd printing. 175 page paperback. Price: varies. ISBN: X651)
