Gods and Pawns

Gods and Pawns by Kage Baker is a collection of seven short stories (five previously published) based on other novels of hers about the “Company” which further explore several of its characters; namely Lewis, Mendoza, and Porfirio.


The basic premise: in the future, man has discovered how to travel back in time, but the past cannot be changed, and man cannot travel into to the future. The “all-powerful-cabal-of-scientists-and-investors-who-possess-the-secret-of-time-travel” is referred to as The Company, which, in turn, is headed by someone known only as Dr. Zeus. The Company goes into the past to rescue babes fated to die an early death in order to make them literally immortal, and to employ them in their efforts to save artwork throughout history that would otherwise be lost to man.

Even mere mortals can identify with sentiments such as these. But Lewis’ boredom will soon end in this first story To the Land Beyond the Sunset. It tells of his and Mendoza’s discovery of a family that considers itself immortal gods “somewhere in South America…1650 AD“. It’s ironic that the true immortals in this case must present themselves as mere servants to these people (as is always the case, the immortals are careful not to reveal their true selves or introduce any anachronisms into the society in which they are currently living.) This family of gods has a peculiar way of maintaining their perceived unending lives.


My favorite, The Catch, gave more information as to how the Company makes its selections and how its operations work. It describes the first attempt to create an immortal from a ten year old boy named Bobby taken from the 1950’s.




A sad story that gives the reader glimpses into the Company’s objectives and intents. It raises questions regarding its business practices; how ethics and compassion are handled along with profit and loss.


The Angel in the Darkness is a mystery story that focuses on the descendants of the immortal Porfirio Aguilar and includes characters introduced in The Catch. In addition to solving the mystery of who is threatening Porfirio’s family, Baker observes how Porfirio deals with the emotional aspects of an unending existence.


Other stories, like Standing in the Light and Welcome to Olympus, Mr. Hearst, are something akin to alternative histories as the immortals encounter the likes of 15th century Dutch painter Jan Vermeer, 16th century Hellfire Club founder Sir Francis Dashwood, and the relatively more contemporary William Randolph Hearst. Baker skillfully weaves known facts with imaginative conjectures as to the motivations of these men and the Company’s efforts to save their works or, in some cases, to deem the authenticity of their works.


The stories in Gods and Pawns flow easily and the characters quickly become distinct personalities. Although I have not read any of Kage Baker’s Company novels, I had no problem getting acclimated and enjoying the stories. No doubt, established fans of the Company books will enjoy this collection revolving around familiar faces, but I think those new to the Company will appreciate the universal themes of love and sacrifice as well as greed and sacrifice presented in this framework of time travel and immortality.