Ink (novel)

Last updated

Ink: The Book of All Hours 2
HalDuncanInk.jpg
Ink first edition cover.
Author Hal Duncan
Cover artistArt direction and design Neil Lang; Illustration Christopher Gibbs
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
SeriesThe Book of all Hours
Genre Speculative fiction
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Publication date
2007
Media typePrint
Pages600
ISBN 978-0-330-43838-4
Preceded by Vellum  

Ink: The Book of All Hours 2 is a speculative fiction novel by Hal Duncan.

Contents

It is Duncan's second novel and a sequel to Vellum: The Book of All Hours . It was first published in the United Kingdom by Pan Macmillan in February 2007 and, later that same month, in the USA by Del Rey, an imprint of Random House. [1]

Introduction

The Vellum is a reality of which Earth is only a small part. It can be reprogrammed using something called the Cant, and this is what some deities from ancient myths, called the Unkin, have done. One group of Unkin see themselves as Angels, and have set up a Covenant promising to reject any ancient deity looking to regain his or her past glory; they are at the time of the narration getting ready for a final war. A group of newly born Unkin (one can become an Unkin through certain unspecified events in his or her life) who refuse to take part in such war are the main characters: Thomas Messenger, a homosexual young man who’s trying to disappear into the Vellum where he’ll never be found; Jack Carter, a Covenant spear-carrier sent to kill Thomas but in love with him; Joey Pechorin, a Russian Army officer and torture expert; also present, although less than in Vellum, are Seamus Finnan, an Irish angel hiding out in the desert; Phreedom Messenger, Thomas's sister and a trailer park biker trying to avoid conscription and Don MacChuill, a brash Scotsman.

Besides the myths and legends referred to, there are also several very vivid references to history, with some of the characters living through events such as the Glasgow 1919 Battle of George Square. [2]

The seven main characters are archetypes of characters from myths and legends: Jack, also known as Jack Flash, Spring Heeled Jack, Iacchus and Captain Jack Carter (a legendary World War I hero in one of the parallel worlds in which the novel is set); Thomas Messenger, also known as Puck, Tamuz and Matthew Shepard; Phreedom Messenger, known as Anna, Anaesthesia and Inanna; Guy Fox, who is also Guy Fawkes (although closer to his representation in V for Vendetta than to the historic character), Guy Reynard, the Prussian Baron Reinhardt); Joey Pickering (also Pechorin, Joey Narchosis and Judas); Don MacChuill (also Don Coyote, Don Quixote) and Seamus Finnan (Shammus, Finnegan, Prometheus, Samuel Hobbsbaum, Sammael). [3] [4] [5]

From a psychoanalytic point of view, the seven main characters can also be seen as the Super-ego as guiding conscience (Guy/Reynard), the wild and libidinous Id (Jack), the Anima and Animus as a triple goddess/god figure (Phreedom), the “inner child” of the Self (Thomas), the Ego that has to deal with society and reality (Seamus), the Shadow as the dark side (Joey), and the wise hermit or old soldier as an image of age and experience (Don). [6]

The homosexual theme is also strongly referred to, especially in the character of Thomas/Puck and his relationship with Jack. Puck is explicitly identified with Matthew Shephard. [2]

The main characters' story is framed within the story of the Book of All Hours, a tome in which Metatron, the scribe of the Covenant, has inscribed the destiny of the whole Vellum; the book has been stolen by Guy Reynard, who uses it to travel through the Vellum. This frame story appears in short sections called Errata, at the end of each chapter. [7]

The events in the novel are described in a non-linear order, with several skips ahead and back in time. In the first part of the novel, "Hinter's Knights", Euripides's The Bacchae is not only referenced but (loosely) enacted by the characters on a stage, while the second part, "Eastern Mourning", hints more or less subtly to various passages of the Bible, more specifically the Old Testament, with a particular focus on the story of Sodom (Genesis 11-14 and 19) and on the Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22:5). [8]

Reception

The reception to Ink varied.

Some critics found it confusing, although most admitted its stylistic value, [8] [9] while others appreciated its experimental nature. [4] [5] [10] [11]

Awards

Ink has been shortlisted for the 2011 Tähtivaeltaja Awards, assigned to the best science fiction novel released in Finland (and in Finnish) during the previous year. [12] [13]

Translations

Ink has been translated into German by Hannes Riffel, [14] Finnish by Nina Saikkonen, [15] French by Florence Dolisi, [16] Spanish by Luis Gallego Tévar [17] and Polish by Anna Reszka. [18]

Related Research Articles

Jack Kirby American comic book artist, writer, and editor (1917–1994)

Jack Kirby was an American comic book artist, writer and editor, widely regarded as one of the medium's major innovators and one of its most prolific and influential creators. He grew up in New York City and learned to draw cartoon figures by tracing characters from comic strips and editorial cartoons. He entered the nascent comics industry in the 1930s, drawing various comics features under different pen names, including Jack Curtiss, before ultimately settling on Jack Kirby. In 1940, he and writer-editor Joe Simon created the highly successful superhero character Captain America for Timely Comics, predecessor of Marvel Comics. During the 1940s, Kirby regularly teamed with Simon, creating numerous characters for that company and for National Comics Publications, later to become DC Comics.

Puck Building United States historic place

The Puck Building is a historic building located in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. It occupies the block bounded by Lafayette, Houston, Mulberry and Jersey Streets.

Reynard the Fox Cycle of medieval, allegorical, Dutch, English, French and German fables

Reynard the Fox is a literary cycle of medieval allegorical Dutch, English, French and German fables. The first extant versions of the cycle date from the second half of the 12th century. The genre was popular throughout the Late Middle Ages, as well as in chapbook form throughout the Early Modern period.

Wally Wood American comic strip cartoonist and illustrator

Wallace Allan Wood was an American comic book writer, artist and independent publisher, widely known for his work on EC Comics's titles such as Weird Science, Weird Fantasy, and MAD Magazine from its inception in 1952 until 1964, as well as for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and work for Warren Publishing's Creepy. He drew a few early issues of Marvel's Daredevil and established the title character's distinctive red costume. Wood created and owned the long-running characters Sally Forth and Cannon.

Joey Bishop American entertainer (1918-2007)

Joseph Abraham Gottlieb, known professionally as Joey Bishop, was an American entertainer who appeared on television as early as 1948 and eventually starred in his own weekly comedy series playing a talk/variety show host, then later hosted a late night talk show with Regis Philbin as his young sidekick on ABC. He also was a member of the "Rat Pack" with Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and Peter Lawford. He is listed 96 on Comedy Central's list of 100 greatest comedians.

Mike Mignola American comic artist and writer

Mike Mignola is an American comics artist and writer best known for creating Hellboy for Dark Horse Comics, part of a shared universe of titles including B.P.R.D., Abe Sapien, Lobster Johnson, Witchfinder and various spinoffs. He has also created other supernatural and paranormal themed titles for Dark Horse including Baltimore, Joe Golem and The Amazing Screw-On Head.

<i>A Hero of Our Time</i> Novel by Mikhail Lermontov

A Hero of Our Time is a novel by Mikhail Lermontov, written in 1839, published in 1840, and revised in 1841.

David Lloyd (comics) English illustrator

David Lloyd is an English comics artist best known as the illustrator of the story V for Vendetta, written by Alan Moore.

Jerry Ordway American comic book writer & artist

Jeremiah Ordway is an American writer, penciller, inker and painter of comic books.

<i>A Contract with God</i> Graphic novel by Will Eisner

A Contract with God and Other Tenement Stories is a graphic novel by American cartoonist Will Eisner published in 1978. The book's short story cycle revolves around poor Jewish characters who live in a tenement in New York City. Eisner produced two sequels set in the same tenement: A Life Force in 1988, and Dropsie Avenue in 1995. Though the term "graphic novel" did not originate with Eisner, the book is credited with popularizing its use.

Joe Kelly (comics writer) American writer, penciler, and editor

Joseph Kelly is an American comic book writer, penciler and editor who has written such titles as Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men, Action Comics, and JLA. As part of the comics creator group Man of Action Studios, Kelly is one of the creators of the animated series Ben 10.

Daredevil (Lev Gleason Publications) American comic book superhero

Daredevil is a fictional superhero created by Jack Binder, who starred in comics from Lev Gleason Publications during the 1930s–1940s period historians and fans call the Golden Age of comic books before being retroactively established into the Image Universe by Image Comics in the 1990s as its first character. The character is unrelated to Marvel Comics' Daredevil.

<i>Jacks Big Music Show</i> American musical television series

Jack's Big Music Show is an American musical children's television series produced by Nickelodeon for its sister channel Noggin. It was created and executive produced by David Rudman, Todd Hannert, and Adam Rudman through their company Spiffy Pictures. The main character is a young puppet musician named Jack who has a musical clubhouse in his backyard. The premiere episode was simulcast on both Nickelodeon and Noggin on September 12, 2005. The show ran for two seasons and 26 episodes in total, which finished airing on October 13, 2007.

Blood is thicker than water is a proverb in English meaning that familial bonds will always be stronger than other relationships. The oldest record of this saying can be traced back in the 12th century in German.

Hal Duncan Scottish writer

Hal Duncan is a Scottish science fiction and fantasy writer.

Mad Norwegian Press is an American publisher of science-fiction guides and novels. The company has worked with authors such as Harlan Ellison, Peter David, Diana Gabaldon, Tanya Huff, Emma Bull, Elizabeth Bear, Mary Robinette Kowal, Seanan McGuire, Barbara Hambly, Martha Wells, Juliet E. McKenna, Aliette de Bodard, Jody Lynn Nye, Catherynne M. Valente, Rachel Swirsky, Melissa Scott, Hal Duncan, Lee Mandelo, Mary Anne Mohanraj, Nancy Holder, Sharon Shinn, Jeanne C. Stein, Colleen Doran, Jill Thompson, Jen Van Meter, Marjorie Liu, Sarah Monette, Mark Waid, Lyda Morehouse, Paul Magrs, Gary Russell, Robert Shearman, Lance Parkin, Andrew Cartmel, Steve Lyons, Lawrence Miles and Tat Wood.

<i>Silver Surfer</i> (comic book) Comic book

Silver Surfer or The Silver Surfer is the name of several series of comic books published by Marvel Comics featuring the Silver Surfer.

<i>Vellum</i> (novel)

Vellum: The Book of All Hours is a speculative fiction novel by Hal Duncan.

Jack Katz (artist) American comics creator

Jack Katz is an American comic book artist and writer, painter and art teacher known for his graphic novel The First Kingdom, a 24-issue epic he began during the era of underground comix.

References

  1. ↑ Hal Duncan (2007), Ink - The Book of All Hours 2, Pan-Macmillan, ISBN   978-0-330-43838-4 - US edition: Del Rey, February 2007, ISBN   978-0-345-48733-9
  2. 1 2 Craig Laurance Gidney (20 August 2010). "TNG Interview: Hal Duncan". The New Gay. Archived from the original on 27 August 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  3. ↑ Paul Kincaid (2007). "Ink". SF Site. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  4. 1 2 Dan Hartland (21 January 2008). "Ink by Hal Duncan and In The Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente". Strange Horizons. Archived from the original on 25 May 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  5. 1 2 William Allan Ritch (2007). "It Is Written". SciFiDimensions. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  6. ↑ Bruno Gaultier and Jérôme Vincent. "Interview d'Hal Duncan VO". actuSF. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  7. ↑ Jay Tomio (20 May 2006). "On the Spot at BSC – Hal Duncan interview". BSC. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  8. 1 2 Russ Allbery (5 November 2007). "Ink". Russ Allbery. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  9. ↑ Gwyneth Jones (3 March 2007). "Euripides in Disneyland". the Guardian. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Jack Deighton (13 August 2009). "Ink by Hal Duncan". A Son of the Rock. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  11. ↑ Jakob Schmidt (25 August 2007). "Ink: The Book of All Hours 2". Infinity plus. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
  12. ↑ "Tähtivaeltaja-palkinnon ehdokkaat julkistettu! (in Finnish)". Babek Nabel. 29 March 2011. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "Tähtivaeltaja Award Nominees". Science Fiction Awards Watch. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 6 April 2011.
  14. ↑ Hal Duncan transl. by Hannes Riffel (2010), Signum, Golkonda Verlag, ISBN   978-3-942396-00-4
  15. ↑ Hal Duncan transl. by Nina Saikkonen (2010), Muste: Kaikkeuden kirja 2, Like, ISBN   978-952-01-0449-8
  16. ↑ Hal Duncan transl. by Florence Dolisi (2009), Le livre de toutes les heures, Tome 2 : Encre, Denoël, ISBN   978-2-207-25881-1
  17. ↑ Hal Duncan transl. by Luis Gallego Tévar (2009), Tinta, La Factoria de Ideas, ISBN   978-84-9800-458-8
  18. ↑ Hal Duncan transl. by Anna Reszka (2009), Atrament - Księga wszystkich godzin 2, Mag, ISBN   978-83-7480-059-4
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.