“We Are Never Where We Are” by Gavin J. Grant
What would you do if you were deeply ideological and immortal? Gavin J. Grant attempts to discuss this in his interesting think-piece, "We Are Never Where We Are," a look at a quintet of characters moving through the ages Highlander style. “Who wants to live forever?” indeed.
Briefly touching on their supernatural agelessness, we do not learn why these characters have come about, or how they can live forever. They drift from country to country across the years, changing their appearances as the need arises, inventing new personalities and inserting themselves into society with skill and dexterity. They are involved in revolutions and socialist causes, wars against fascism, and the provision of teachers and equipment to the needy. The author cannot be faulted for the accuracy of his history, and it is a real treat to see the motivation and internal struggles of these immortals (who can apparently be killed).
The only problem is: what is the point of all this? We are presented with a complex interweave of characters and backstory, realistic viewpoints and motivations, but nothing seems to happen. The story ends on an anticlimactic note, where despite all their ennui and the weight of the years grinding against them, the characters carry on with business as usual. There is plenty of conflict in this story, but no resolution. This could have been a fantastic story but for its somewhat vague and linear progression.
“We Are Never Where We Are” is still an enthralling read, and is an intelligent, well-considered piece. The conclusion aside, this tale of immortals is still worth reading, and infinitely better than Highlander 2.