Fiction
Pollen and the Ring of Harmony
Francis T. Perry Williams
Emerald Book Company
2009
298 pages
ISBN: 13-978-1934572-99-3
www.pollengreenarmy.com

IIn a once protected valley in Northern California, home to thousand-year-old trees, a stranger from another world comes to Earth to rescue its people from imminent danger and enlighten them about co-existing with nature. Pollen and the Ring of Harmony examines the negative impact humans have had on the earth and the responsibility each of us must take in changing our imprint on our planet. Author Francis T. Perry Williams, a writer, actor, and director, has created a compassionate, positive, and loving character in Pollen who’s every encounter with humans teaches and encourages a broader, more inclusive view of life.
Reb Brown is a loner living in the California valley when government protection of the area is traded for development that includes cutting down trees and creating an artificial lake by destroying an intact dam. After a violent encounter with a gang of lumberjacks and a failed attempt to stop the explosion of the dam, Reb meets Pollen who announces that he is an altruist and has come to Earth to save the planet from a fast moving asteroid. Pollen wears a ring for which he acts as the host. This ring has limited, but phenomenal power: “Only death is irreversible…Everything else can change—either to the way it was or the way it should be.” Pollen’s mission also includes speaking directly to the president of the United States to impress upon him the need for humans to change their ways or else lose the planet that they love.
As the story progresses, the reader is introduced to Chloe Foster, the precocious daughter of Rachel, an investigative reporter. Chloe, Rachel, and Bob, Rachel’s photographer, follow Pollen to Washington D.C. once the news of his miracle filled journey to the White House comes to light. The threesome becomes an integral part of the action once Pollen and Reb seek out the president.
Pollen has a life altering effect on many of the people he meets on his journey, including Reb’s estranged son. Through his actions, which include stopping an armed robbery and redirecting a tornado, Pollen encourages people to rethink their lives and to work towards gaining harmony in their relationships with other people and with nature.
Williams writes about greed and the quest for power, as well as selfishness and the slow murder of the planet caused by negligent humans. The story is skillfully told and teaches without being preachy. The author does a wonderful job of illustrating the parallels between human beings’ treatment of one another and the way we treat the earth. Respect, love, and harmony are the major themes in this story that will speak to readers of all backgrounds because they represent the core elements of our humanity: “Treasure all life. In harmony there is peace, in peace there is life. There is no wealth but life. Live!”
Pollen and the Ring of Harmony is the complete package: a green focus that highlights human goodness with action-driven scenes weaving throughout. This book is a wake-up call. I highly recommend it.
Melissa Levine
for
Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org