''Paths of Glory'' is a

novel A novel is a relatively long work of narrative fiction, typically written in prose and published as a book. The present English word for a long work of prose fiction derives from the for "new", "news", or "short story of something new", itsel ...

by English author

Jeffrey Archer Jeffrey Howard Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare (born 15 April 1940) is an English novelist, life peer, convicted criminal, and former politician. Before becoming an author, Archer was a Member of Parliament (1969–1974), but did not ...

based on the story of

George Mallory George Herbert Leigh Mallory (18 June 1886 – 8 or 9 June 1924) was an English mountaineer who took part in the first three British expeditions to Mount Everest in the early 1920s. Born in Cheshire, Mallory became a student at Winchester ...

who died attempting to climb Everest in the 1920s. It was published by St. Martin's Press on 3 March 2009. It fictionally supports the claims that George Mallory, an Englishman, was the first to conquer Mount Everest – before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Controversy

The novel caused a controversy in New Zealand, with major newspaper ''The Dominion Post'' calling it an

insult An insult is an expression or statement (or sometimes behavior) which is disrespectful or scornful. Insults may be intentional or accidental. An insult may be factual, but at the same time pejorative, such as the word "inbred". Jocular exc ...

to Sir Edmund Hillary, as the story portrays Mallory as successfully reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

Characters

: Professor and climber * Ruth Mallory: Thackeray Turner's daughter and George's wife * Reverend Leigh Mallory: George's father * Annie Mallory: George's mother * Avie Mallory: George's sister * Mary Mallory: George's sister * Trafford Mallory: George's brother * Guy Bullock: George's best friend * Mr. Graham Irving: George's teacher *

A. C. Benson Arthur Christopher Benson, (24 April 1862 – 17 June 1925) was an English essayist, poet and academic, and the 28th Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. He wrote the lyrics of Edward Elgar’s '' Coronation Ode'', including the words of th ...

: George's teacher at Cambridge * Geoffrey Winthrop Young: Chairman of the Alpine Club and George's climbing mentor * George Finch: George's Australian rival at mountain climbing * Andrew O'Sullivan: Teacher, George's colleague at Charterhouse * Mr. Thackeray Turner: School governor at Charterhouse * Marjorie and Mildred Turner: Mr Turner's daughters *

Sandy Irvine Andrew Comyn "Sandy" Irvine (8 April 1902 – 8 June 1924) was an English mountaineer who took part in the 1924 British Everest Expedition, the third British expedition to the world's highest (8,848 m) mountain, Mount Everest. While a ...

: George's final climbing partner * Mr. Arthur Hinks: Secretary Everest committee * Brigadier General Bruce: General posted in India * Sir Edward Norton: Climber * Howard Somervell: Climber * Professor Noel Odell: Climber * Captain John Noel: Climber * Claire, Beridge and John Mallory: George's children.

Film adaptation

In June 2021, it was announced that a film adaptation of ''Paths of Glory'' was in development for a production start in January 2022, with Ewan McGregor, Mark Strong, and Sam Heughan set to star as Mallory, Hinks, and Finch, respectively. Doug Liman will direct and produce the project, with Sheldon Turner writing the screenplay under the title ''Everest'' and HanWay Films handling international sales and distribution. Juno Temple joined the cast in September as Ruth Mallory.

References

2009 British novels Novels by Jeffrey Archer Mount Everest in fiction Climbing and mountaineering books Novels set in Tibet Macmillan Publishers books {{2000s-novel-stub