The Org's Tale: A Literary And Psychological Fantasy -- Review of "The Days Of The Org' by Timberline Davis

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Reviewer: Forrest Schultz schultz_forrest@yahoo.com 770-583-3258

Blog Address: http://newsciencefictionandfantasyreviews.blogspot.com

August 23, 2011

The Org's Tale: A Literary and Psychological Fantasy

A review of

Farrell J. "Timberline" Davis The Days Of The Org (Apex Books, 2010)

460 pp Price -- ??? ISBN: 978-0-04154-4

Reviewer: Forrest W. Schultz

The Org is a secret organization possessing a magic elixir which prevents the body from aging.. The central character in this tale is chosen to live for 300 years in a body maintained in a youthful condition by his consumpiton of this liquid.

The elixir also grants him a charm which protects him from danger and makes him attractive to top quality women and puts him onto a Golden Path to enormous wealth and respectability. In short, the events of this literary fantasy are also this character's psychological fantasy.

And that is not all! The story takes place over a lengthy span of years in an America characterized by the traditional values of integrity, decency, kindness, courtesy, and honor. This alternate America is a sort of idealized 1940's America (now being called "The Greatest Generation") which maintains its ethos. Thus, in this America there are no 50's and 60's and 70's and 80's and 90's etc. Although there are technological advances such as the computer, there is no change in the way people think and feel and in their sense of propriety and in the way they treat one another. This "timelessness" which is sensed by the reader is reinforced by the story's lack of any mention of what year it is!!

It is not surprising that the author has selected for the central character a man who was a poor boy during the Depression and World War II. The story is told from his point of view and he is the narrator.

The author is able to tell the tale so well because his identification with the narrator/main-character is so strong that it is almost autobiographical. This is a natural identification because, you see, Timberline Davis is 87 years old and lived during the Depression and served as a soldier in World War II. He writes so accurately about The Greatest Generation because it is his generation and he is proud of it!

In history as well as in fiction it seems that secret societies are either evil or are suspected of being evil. In this story the Org is good, or, at least there is no grounds shown for any suspicion. Another difference in this story is that there is no opposition shown to The Org until the very end of the book. BUT there will be plenty of opportunity for the author to develop this conflict because this book is only the first in a series.

The second book in the series, Land of Neglect, is already out as an ebook and will soon be in print. The writing of the third book 13 is nearing completion and is expected to be published soon.

Timberline Davis lives in Carrollton and is a member of the Carrollton Creative Writers Club.