Summa Elvetica: A Casuistry of the Elvish Controversy by Theodore Beale Published by: Marcher Lord Press (2008) 328 pages Rating: 8/10 Buy it Now:

Ladies and gentlemen, behold the winner of the most fascinating (and bizarre) book title in the history of Christian Fiction Review! That alone has probably prompted more than one second look at this most unique title.

What we have here is a concept that is relatively obvious and yet never before addressed in any writings I've ever read. Imagine a world not entirely unlike our own, with an established Catholic Church, complete with Pope, Bishops, etc., living in what is effectively a Holy Roman Empire. Now imagine that world is also a "traditional" fantasy world, complete with elves, dwarves, goblins, trolls, and such. How would the Church react to the other races? Or, to sum up the central question of the novel:

Do elves have souls?

If they don't, should they be treated like mere animals? Or are they more associated with the demonic? If they do, should missionaries be sent? Should someone witness to them? Can they seek salvation?

It's quite the philosophical subject. No one has ever dealt with it, to my knowledge. The only thing similar I can recall is sci-fi author Orson Scott Card broaching the subject related to aliens in some of the Ender novels.

Such a subject could easily become merely a theological debate - intriguing, but not much of a story. However, Beale mixes in quite an intriguing story involving the young priest who is sent to the elves to help determine their "status."

There's just one major, major problem with this story - it's far too short! The ending, especially, is incredibly rushed and over with before you realize what's happened. Suddenly, you're in the appendices. The appendices are quite good, actually, involving several stories set in the past of this world, but it fails to make up for the lack of further action with the main characters.

These characters are interesting. The world itself is interesting. I want to know more about what happens to all of them... but it appears I never will.

The subject matter is certainly intriguing, the storyline is riveting, and the world-building hints at a rich history. But I'm greedy; I want more.

Definitely worth checking out, even if you only want a book lying around that will make people get a really funny look on their faces when they read the cover! Seriously, though, it's thought-provoking and entertaining, a good combination. Recommended.