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The Blood Thieves
by
Liz
Williams
was published in Interzone issue 160 October
2000.
Olaf Olaffson is an estate agent, looking to buy property
for the powerful, yet benign company Anaheim del Marche, when he bumps into a
Norse fairy called a Huldra who doesn't particularly want to sell her
land. So far, so whimsical, you might think. But Liz Williams' tale
enchants when read again and again, for new delights readily
appear. As the links below show, there is a very real fear of 'The Blood
Thieves', and of the secretive science of genetics (which is Anaheim's
business). There's also warnings of the dangers posed by globalism,
and of the liberties taken by the big multinationals. Olaf finds himself
in an interesting dilemma: should he go with the old or the new? The new,
in the form of Anaheim del Marche, seems very attractive - they're willing to
spend a lot of money on healthcare in order to do their research. Then
again, it's not the done thing to cross the huldra, who are amongst the
most mischievous and spiteful deities in Norse folklore. Trouble is, Olaf
wants the best of both worlds...
"Ever been to Texas?" Ed McNally, chief
of Anaheim del Marche asks Olafson. At times, Williams' stimulating prose
is the equal of that famous inhabitant of Texas, Michael Moorcock. I was
happily looking up all the references to Norse mythology and runes. Once
you look into 'The Blood Thieves' in a bit more depth, you see that it is
composed on several contrasting, yet complimentary sources. I was
intrigued to discover that many Scandinavians do hold beliefs similar to
that professed by the huldra: "We are kin, your kind and mine, however
little we like it". I'm thinking here mainly of Stephen McNallen's
controversial Metagenectics theory. Indeed, 'The Blood Thieves' reveals
that there are disturbing aspects on both sides of the genetics debate - more
than fertile ground for drama. And where better set than the Volcanic
landscape of Iceland?
Yes, Liz Williams does tackle serious
issues. But her aim is also to entertain, and she does this admirably in
'The Blood Thieves', along with great humour. The more closely that you
study this text, the more rewarding it becomes (although this also reveals that
Olafsson becomes 'Olafssen' towards the end). At first, the story does
seem too brief. However, the details are all there for the more energetic
of readers to have a chip at. Liz Williams certainly stimulates the brain
cells, and so reaches near perfection for me.
authortrek rating 10/10.
Kevin Patrick Mahoney
'Blood
Thieves' Move in to Study Virus in Tribe - At times in 'The Blood Thieves',
Olaf Olafsson openly admits that his paranoia could be due to his being an X
Phile. However, reading this article does place his fears and Williams'
narrative on very firm, contemporary ground. I've no doubt that Williams
had similar reports in mind when she chose this particular title.
Iceland:
Basic facts - an overview for the setting of 'Blood Thieves'
The Viking Gods -
includes a description of the Huldra
|
Visit our Liz Williams page,
for a Liz Williams biography, bibliography, Liz Williams short stories, and
interviews |
