Here’s another great sci-fi story centered around elephants!
The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander is a mesmerizing long short story that skillfully weaves together the tragic historical events of Topsy the elephant’s execution and the Radium Girls, with a captivating future sci-fi twist. The narrative unfolds through four distinct points of view: a future scientist negotiating with the elephants, Topsy the elephant, a dying Radium Girl, and the Mother of Mothers (elephants).
Bolander’s ability to blend history with speculative fiction is nothing short of remarkable. I was thoroughly engrossed in the way these seemingly disparate elements were intertwined to create a powerful and cohesive story. The inclusion of sci-fi elements with elephants was an unexpected delight, especially after enjoying similar themes in The Tusks of Extinction.
The story’s unique perspectives and poignant themes left a lasting impression on me. The interplay of historical and futuristic narratives highlights the enduring impact of human actions and the deep, often tragic connections between species. Loved, loved, loved this story.