Review: Highly entertaining piece of social commentary
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 31, 2011
Jonathan Gould has written another masterpiece of social commentary in his latest story, "Flidderbugs."  On the Krephiloff Tree, far above the ground, live the Flidderbugs - they go about their business, doing what Flidderbugs do.  Kriffle and Fargeeta are the children of the leaders of the two opposing tribes, and they are being groomed to take over the leading roles since their respective fathers are aging.  Today they will meet in debate for the first time in public, debating the most important thing to the Flidderbugs' lives, and those positions - and the support they may gain for themselves - will determine who runs the Tree.  The question is - are there three points on each leaf, or four points?  Each side will devoutly declare themselves as speaking the truth, and their opponents as lying.  Who will win?  What will happen?  And why is the tree making such strange, rumbling noises lately?  You have to read to find out.The beauty of this story is its subtle poking at modern politics and religious dogma.  Gould manages to tell an entertaining story and still get his ideas across quite clearly.  I have been quite impressed with the stories I've read by Gould thus far, and can recommend this one highly to anyone who enjoys being entertained and, at the same time, encouraged to think and question.