M. A. R. Barker (1930–2012)

This is fantasy as Tolkien intended it. If post-Lord of the Rings fantasy resembled Barker's "Tékumel" rather than Brooks' "Shannara," we'd live in a better world. Barker, I imagine, was one of the few who understood what Tolkien was after on a molecular level (language being the basis for mythology and world-building). His vision is different, of course, honing in on non-Western cultures. The influence of the pulps is present, but rather than cheap exploitation, Barker seems to utilize it show more to further the development of his world and distance it from that which we are used to (in other words, it's good fantasy). Tékumel is cosmopolitan and complex, just like what one would expect from a land based on the Subcontinent or pre-colonial Mexico. While the plot is relatively simple, the setting is what grabs the reader's attention. It's overwhelming, in fact. Imagine staring at a Aztec mosaic and perseverating upon the intricacies of each line and angle, so much that it might even distract you from the image of the whole - that's what exploring this novel feels like.

I first learned about M.A.R. Barker in November 2012, less than a year after he died. I've wanted to read his work ever since. I've been happy to finally have a chance (his work was out-of-print). I don't play "Dungeons and Dragons"-type board games, but it would be nice to see Tékumel return in force as a computer-based RPG, or in literature as a short story collection.

5 stars. Highly recommended. This is fantasy as it should be. show less

I really enjoyed this book more than I had expected to, maybe because I did not expect too much. M.A.R. created the world of Tékumel and its gods and languages for a game: Empire of the Petal Throne. It is a very original science-fantasy setting and I had read a bit about it before reading this book. Like J.R.R. Tolkien, Barker was a linguist whose invented languages helped shape his fantasy world. However Barker's fictional work never received the literary acclaim of the Lord of the show more Rings.

The hero of this story, Hàrsan, is a bookish scribe whose knowledge of an obscure ancient language embroils him in a palace and temple intrigue which threatens the whole Tsolyani empire. He finds himself pursued across the empire by numerous factions. He flees through ancient dungeons looking for a mysterious artifact called the Man of Gold. Along the way he meets various villains, creatures, friends and lovers.

There are a lot of words in the invented Tsolyanu language but they are presented in the text with their English translation, for example Chtin-flies or Chlen-beast. This was an ok approach -- it added a foreign atmosphere without requiring a glossary or dictionary. show less

The novel itself is pretty unremarkable, honestly about the same level as most fiction based around a published RPG setting. But I really love the setting in this case and it was pretty engaging to see it brought to life like this. I think it would have been even better if it had been written with less clunky setting exposition though - there is absolutely no reason why you'd want to read this if you weren't already into the setting and it makes the dialog flow awkwardly at times.

Inspired by James Majewski of Grognardia, I decided to re-read The Empire of the Petal Throne in detail. It was rewarding. Every time I look at Tékumel I think it would be an interesting world to roleplay in. One day I might even run a campaign there. M.A.R. Barker tries hard to make it accessible, and sometimes almost succeeds. There is a wealth of information about the world to be found interspersed with the information about game mechanics -- which themselves are not bad, a slight show more improvement on the basic Dungeons and Dragons of the day. show less