Published: February 2004. Imprint: Voyager
On 20th April 2004, New Zealand author Russell Kirkpatrick visited Infinitas. He chatted with those who came to meet him, signed copies of his book for those who were there at the time.
When your reading takes you from a steamy Sydney summer to a snow covered Scandanavian landscape, you know you are benefiting from one of the great joys of the pastime. If exploring new countries is one of the pleasures of fantasy reading for you, then you must take a look at Across the Face of the World. New Zealander Kirkpatrick has a long standing fascination with maps, and this first novel of a trilogy reflects that. He describes the geography and nomenclature of his world in great detail - every natural feature has local and common language names, and the terrain through which his characters travel is richly drawn. This can be distracting if your preference is for human interaction, however the solidity of the environment provides reassurance that this is a world that can sustain a grand epic adventure, which is what Kirkpatrick promises.
Kirkpatrick’s world is populated by humans alone, the differences between the core group of travellers, the Company, arise from their birth place, not because they are different races. The personal strengths and weaknesses of each character are drawn quickly and bluntly. While each individual has their own problems, they do not share them with each other, so despite surviving dangers and hardship together, each person seems to remain isolated in the group. In a genre where the relationships of loyalty and comradeship that form between mismatched characters can contribute significantly to the value of a story, this modern take on the group is almost disconcerting.
The Company - teenager Leith and his adopted brother Hal, old farmer Kurr, village beauty Stella and their village headman, the Haufuth, are engaged on a double task - to rescue Leith’s parents from a group of warriors from an almost mythical enemy, and to warn their county’s leaders of the imminent danger of war from this distant land. This threat originates from the time of creation when the ‘First Men’ were chosen by the creator God. In a story that draws on Judeo-Christian themes, the ‘Most High’s authority was challenged by one of these men, whose punishment was to be outcast and to never die. The Destroyer, as myth now names him, is thus the sworn enemy of all men and creation. There is however a counter hope, in the person of the ‘Right Hand’, who prophecy tells will unite the land and defeat the Destroyer. How this prophecy relates to the Company is hinted at in this first book, but the story that Kirkpatrick has set out to tell is brought to a satisfactory conclusion in the bounds of this first volume.
Reviewed for Infinitas by Penny R.
The second book in this trilogy is In The Earth Abides The Flame
The epic fantasy continues in this second volume. Enter a world where for centuries darkness has been kept at bay and a small group of men and women have taken the challenge to fulfil a prophecy and change the course of their world's history. Attempting to convince the Council of Faltha of the need for all nations to combine forces and defeat the armies of Bhrudwo, the Company are rebuffed and some of their members imprisoned. Their choices are difficult: whether to continue their journey and attempt to find the fiery arrow of legend which may help to rouse their world against invasion, or go home and await the armies of Kannwar, the Immortal Destroyer, as they raze all before them.
The third book is The Right Hand of God
Harper Collins has provided the following:
A remarkable feat of storytelling - a dazzling epic fantasy from a stunning new talent
Across the Face of the World, the debut novel from Russell Kirkpatrick, has been number one on the Australian science fiction bestseller lists and an instant hit with readers.
PRAISE FOR ACROSS THE FACE OF THE WORLD:
“This author and professional map maker can write, too, with the ease of someone born to the epic.”
- The Advertiser (Adelaide)
“As Lord of the Rings mania winds down, fantasy buffs will be looking for something new to satisfy their cravings, and Across the Face of the World fits the bill.” - The Age
“I began this trilogy in 1986, spending a year making an atlas of Faltha, the world of the novels. The atlas has detailed topographical maps (enough to cover the roof of a house if all put together), along with maps dealing with climate, geology, vegetation, history, population and migration. I looked at the world I’d made and, knowing I couldn’t travel there myself, sent some interesting characters in my stead. Thus was born Across the Face of the World, the first volume of the trilogy.
“It was a slow birth, however. There was, for example, a gap of five years when I didn’t write at all. The three volumes took seventeen years to complete, written while I finished doctoral studies, raised a family, produced six atlases of New Zealand and extricated myself from an increasingly weird religious sect.
“I gave my characters the pleasure of exploring my world. In return they showed me it’s possible to end up at the same place, both literally and metaphorically, whether one tries to lead a life of dutiful obedience or chooses a path of wilfulness and rebellion. I’m grateful to them.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Russell Kirkpatrick’s love of literature and a chance encounter with fantasy novels as a teenager opened up a vast number of possibilities to him. He realised that he could combine storytelling with his interest in mapmaking in the one project, and he hasn’t looked back since. He is a successful map maker, has authored The New Zealand Historical Atlas and Contemporary Atlas New Zealand, and is a lecturer at Waikato University in New Zealand. Across the Face of the World is Russell Kirkpatrick’s first novel, and is the first in a trilogy.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Enter a world where for centuries darkness has been kept at bay…
From a tiny snowbound village, five men and women will begin a dangerous quest to challenge darkness, fulfil a prophecy and change the course of their world’s history.
For 2000 years, Kannwar, the immortal Destroyer, Lord of Bhrudwo, has been planning revenge on the Most High. Cast out from Dona Mihst when he drank from the waters of the forbidden fountain of eternal life, the Arrow of the Most High was loosed against him, severing his hand from his right arm.
Mahnum has escaped the Destroyer’s prison, and flees with the Lords of Fear in pursuit. Making his way home to Loulea, Mahnum and his wife are captured. His sons, Leith and Hal, together with a small group of villagers, set off in pursuit to free Mahnum and Indrett and to warn their world of the coming war.
Russell Kirkpatrick attended CONFLUX in Canberra 23-26 APRIL 2004 www.conflux.org.au
Last updated 18th March 2005.