Name of the Book: Paths of Glory.
Name of the Author: Jeffrey Archer.
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press.
Published: 2009
Pages: 466
Genre: Historical Novel.
Like
Thomas Gray’s words “The Paths of Glory lead but to the grave” George Mallory’s
passion for his mountaineering and his persistent to reach his goal, the summit
of the great Everest lead him to the grave. The short review on the paperback
gives some idea about the book and it interested me to read the book -“Some people have
dreams that are so magnificent that if they were to achieve them, their place
in history would be guaranteed. Francis Drake, Robert Scott, Charles Lindbergh,
Amy Johnson, Edmund Hilary, Neil Armstrong, and Lewis and Clark are among such
individuals. But what if one man had such a dream, and once he’d
fulfilled it, there was no proof that he had achieved his ambition?” George
Mallory is such a man who twice attempted to conquer the Everest in 1922 and
1924 respectively. His attempts were failure and the second time he didn’t
return to his homeland. Whether he reached the top or not is still the mystery
as his body found 700 feet near the summit in 1999.
The book tells the story in chronological
order and the narrative is in the third person perspective. In the beginning I
found the story was little boring as it started with telling Mallory’s life
from his childhood with every detail but as the story progresses it became
interesting. The style of writing is good and especially the letters which were
written by Mallory are very expressive. Though the pace of the narration is
very slow the dialogues are captivating. The characterization is well handled
and every character has its importance. Even Archer used the Machiavelli-like
character, Mr.Hinks.
I like the characterization of George
Mallory. He was very persistent of his goal and till the end he didn’t give up
his dream for any problems he faced in the path to his glory. There was a scene
where Mallory climbed the wall to enter the college. Then the professor said of
him “it’s clear to me that nothing is going to stop you from entering college”
and admitted him in the college. He had some shortcomings like lack of
punctuality and impulsive attitude but had exceptional gifts with talent. He
showed his passion not only toward his goal but also to his nation when he
joined the military though the school masters were exempted from the military
service. In the book there is a conversation between Ruth and George where she
asked him “If you were killed what would that achieve?” George replied
“Nothing, other than that you’d know I’d done the honourable thing” it shows
his no fear of death in doing any action he wanted to do. He even fought for
his rival, Finch when the Royal Geographical society didn’t accept Finch
because of the reason that he is not an Englishman. He was very modest and
acknowledged everyone’s talent in the climbing team and also the sherpa, Nyima
who is one of the helpers in the journey. He loved his wife very much and wrote
letters everyday during his journey with every detail. Though he said he didn’t
believe in God he prayed whenever he was in trouble. Once he said that whenever
you were in trouble believe in god because it would give you the hope.
I really disappointed when the Royal
Geographical Society rejected Finch in the climbing team just because he was an
Australian. I hate this part because Mr.Hinks went to such extent just to get
rid of Finch from the team. He even used some Machiavelli’s principles and
bribed the Dr.Lampton to give the fake medical report and denied his idea of
using oxygen while climbing the summit. Mr.Hinks didn’t care about the lives of
the members in the climbing team but all that he wanted was the name of the
Englishman as the conqueror of the great Mt. Everest and to boast the power of
Englishmen conquering world. It would have been better if Finch had the second
chance to climb the Everest.
I liked the quote “the descent is always
difficult than the climb...That is something novice fail to appreciate. Often
to their cost.” This idea used again and again in the book as an advice to
George Mallory. It was a kind of a premonition to Mallory because the story
ended as Mallory and his partner died during the descent from the summit.
In the story I could able to find the
pre-independence India’s image and the Englishmen attitude towards the Indians.
The discriminating actions of Englishmen to the Americans, Australians and
their superiority complex and their politics even in the Royal Geographical
society were portrayed in the story.
I would like to give 6 out of ten points
to this book. Though the pace of the narration is slow and little boring, I
recommend this book to the readers as it can be read for once.
- Indumathi.D,
