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Crowley's Rival
At the age of seventeen, Alick Crowley is impatient to begin life on his own terms. He bursts with energy but his strict religious education crushes every original impulse. He would do anything to have a real adventure.
When he visits the Lake District in the summer of 1893, he attempts to climb the crags of Scawfell. He has no climbing experience and no gear, but fortunately he meets some of the extraordinary men who have made a sport out of climbing these cliffs.
One of them is O.G. Jones, the self-proclaimed best climber in England ... but Crowley believes that Jones is a liar after being humiliated and criticised by the more experienced man. He wants to prove that Jones is not what he claims to be, but who would believe him?
He vows to escape from his overbearing parents, live the life of adventure he has dreamed about, and return to challenge Jones on his own turf.
Crowley's Rival is the direct prequel to The Only Genuine Jones: adventurous historical fiction with a grounding in true events.
When he visits the Lake District in the summer of 1893, he attempts to climb the crags of Scawfell. He has no climbing experience and no gear, but fortunately he meets some of the extraordinary men who have made a sport out of climbing these cliffs.
One of them is O.G. Jones, the self-proclaimed best climber in England ... but Crowley believes that Jones is a liar after being humiliated and criticised by the more experienced man. He wants to prove that Jones is not what he claims to be, but who would believe him?
He vows to escape from his overbearing parents, live the life of adventure he has dreamed about, and return to challenge Jones on his own turf.
Crowley's Rival is the direct prequel to The Only Genuine Jones: adventurous historical fiction with a grounding in true events.
- GenresFiction
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 19, 2012
11 people want to read
About the author
Alex Roddie
19 books27 followersAlex Roddie is a writer of historical fiction set in the mountains. He’s spent a great deal of his life up various hills, and his time living in Scotland from 2008 to 2011 has proved an endless source of inspiration. His novels The Only Genuine Jones and The Atholl Expedition are tales of adventure based on the emerging mountaineering culture of Britain in the 19th century.
His author website is www.alexroddie.com.
Alex is also a freelance editor providing affordable services for indie authors. When wearing his editing hat he hangs out at www.pinnacleeditorial.co.uk.
His author website is www.alexroddie.com.
Alex is also a freelance editor providing affordable services for indie authors. When wearing his editing hat he hangs out at www.pinnacleeditorial.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 20, 2013
This novella is the prequel to Alex Roddie's first novel, 'The Only Genuine Jones'. It can be read before or after that book. I chose to read it before and it has really whetted my appetite for the novel.
Mountaineering is a subject I know precious little about, but I found this short book accessible and gripping. The author's writing is remarkably assured and suggests a writer way ahead of his years. I felt completely safe with his writing, whereas I felt completely unsafe with Crowley and Jones, the two rivals of the story! Both are arrogant characters, but we are shown their flaws, their weaknesses, and I engaged with them both at times. The danger of the mountains is portrayed alongside their beauty and I can now begin to understand the appeal of the sport.
Several bits of terminology had me reaching for my dictionary (well, pressing my Kindle screen) but they are of course essential to the authenticity of the writing. I am genuinely excited by my discovery of this author. Several moments in the book had me holding my breath and I was reminded of the beauty and danger I encountered in Beryl Bainbridge's excellent book, 'The Birthday Boys', the story of Captain Scott's expedition to Antarctica.
'Crowley's Rival' is a stunning little read and one that has made me eager to read Mr Roddie's novel.
Mountaineering is a subject I know precious little about, but I found this short book accessible and gripping. The author's writing is remarkably assured and suggests a writer way ahead of his years. I felt completely safe with his writing, whereas I felt completely unsafe with Crowley and Jones, the two rivals of the story! Both are arrogant characters, but we are shown their flaws, their weaknesses, and I engaged with them both at times. The danger of the mountains is portrayed alongside their beauty and I can now begin to understand the appeal of the sport.
Several bits of terminology had me reaching for my dictionary (well, pressing my Kindle screen) but they are of course essential to the authenticity of the writing. I am genuinely excited by my discovery of this author. Several moments in the book had me holding my breath and I was reminded of the beauty and danger I encountered in Beryl Bainbridge's excellent book, 'The Birthday Boys', the story of Captain Scott's expedition to Antarctica.
'Crowley's Rival' is a stunning little read and one that has made me eager to read Mr Roddie's novel.
April 27, 2013
I approached this with some trepidation as a rule I don’t usually like historical fiction but I was attracted by the mountaineering themes and settings, as I read a lot in this genre.
The main two characters are well drawn, believable and dynamic from the off. The climbing scenes are as atmospheric as any I have read; I’ve done no more than a little summer scrambling and they had me in a sweat!
A development of the two secondary characters, especially Robinson, might have added interest but may also have distracted from the main event.
All in all an elegant short story which will encourage me to read more from Alex Roddie.
The main two characters are well drawn, believable and dynamic from the off. The climbing scenes are as atmospheric as any I have read; I’ve done no more than a little summer scrambling and they had me in a sweat!
A development of the two secondary characters, especially Robinson, might have added interest but may also have distracted from the main event.
All in all an elegant short story which will encourage me to read more from Alex Roddie.
April 5, 2013
This is my first venture into the world of Alex Roddie; a world of historical mountaineering adventures. I feel precarious here. I wear flat shoes and I occasionally fall off kerb edges! However, I soon discovered when reading this short story, that there is much more to his writing than the mechanics and techniques of mountain climbing. This story - a precursor to a full length novel, gives us a meeting between two great mountain climbers who immediately struck up an antipathy. Each was egotistical and cocky about his prowess and each was sure he was the best.
The characters, within the limits of a short story, were well developed. I can see why they disliked one another. I wouldn't have taken to either! Their enmity was strong enough to put other lives in danger. Apart from the interpersonal relationships we see here, there's a great deal to be admired in the writing. It's never less than competent and in places, it glows. It's easy to be swept up in Alex Roddie's admiration for the solitude of high places, the grandeur and beauty of the long views and the sound of rushing water. A short read, but a great one.
The characters, within the limits of a short story, were well developed. I can see why they disliked one another. I wouldn't have taken to either! Their enmity was strong enough to put other lives in danger. Apart from the interpersonal relationships we see here, there's a great deal to be admired in the writing. It's never less than competent and in places, it glows. It's easy to be swept up in Alex Roddie's admiration for the solitude of high places, the grandeur and beauty of the long views and the sound of rushing water. A short read, but a great one.
April 16, 2013
On the face of it this seems a straightforward and highly enjoyable adventure. Two men pitted against each other in the rugged Lake District of the Victorian era. However, it also does something very difficult to accomplish in a shorter story, and that is get inside the heads of the leading characters (and the minor characters)
Both Crowley and Jones have been written with skill and although they are both arrogant, they're also tainted with self doubt and reproach (although keep it hidden from the other) This makes them very interesting and the hinted at history of both men makes them completely three dimensional. I could quite happily read a book of tales about both men, such was the interest they garnered. The author's noted at the back only added to my interest in both men.
It is beautifully written and captured the scenery wonderfully. the description of looking from the summit over the winter moors toward the sea was especially evocative. The story itself is paced perfectly and although is about mountain climbing, I didn't feel at any time confused by terminology. This is simply a very good story and if you like good stories then this is for you. Thoroughly entertaining.
Both Crowley and Jones have been written with skill and although they are both arrogant, they're also tainted with self doubt and reproach (although keep it hidden from the other) This makes them very interesting and the hinted at history of both men makes them completely three dimensional. I could quite happily read a book of tales about both men, such was the interest they garnered. The author's noted at the back only added to my interest in both men.
It is beautifully written and captured the scenery wonderfully. the description of looking from the summit over the winter moors toward the sea was especially evocative. The story itself is paced perfectly and although is about mountain climbing, I didn't feel at any time confused by terminology. This is simply a very good story and if you like good stories then this is for you. Thoroughly entertaining.
April 14, 2013
Crowley's Rival is an effective introduction to two characters - Aleister Crowley and O.G. Jones - as well as a tense adventure in its own right. I was worried that reading a prequel to The Only Genuine Jones before the novel might be confusing, so was pleased to find that the story works well as a stand-alone tale.
Alex Roddie manages to get across all the danger and spectacle of mountaineering. His highly descriptive writing style makes it all very easy to visualise (even for those of us who haven't so much as climbed onto the roof!). He also provides an insight into the minds of those who literally live on the edge, and are moved by a passion for climbing the great peaks of the world.
There are some notes from the author at the end which actually increased my enjoyment of the story. I knew that Aleister Crowley was a real person, but not that O.G. Jones was too. Alex Roddie has researched actual historical events and retold them in an imaginative way. I'm now keen to read the novel to discover how the fractious relationship between Crowley and Jones develops.
Alex Roddie manages to get across all the danger and spectacle of mountaineering. His highly descriptive writing style makes it all very easy to visualise (even for those of us who haven't so much as climbed onto the roof!). He also provides an insight into the minds of those who literally live on the edge, and are moved by a passion for climbing the great peaks of the world.
There are some notes from the author at the end which actually increased my enjoyment of the story. I knew that Aleister Crowley was a real person, but not that O.G. Jones was too. Alex Roddie has researched actual historical events and retold them in an imaginative way. I'm now keen to read the novel to discover how the fractious relationship between Crowley and Jones develops.
May 13, 2013
An extraordinary good short read.
Crowley’s Rival is a compelling and absorbing tale of the rivalry between an experienced, well-regarded–but slightly rusty–climber and a young, talented, newbie climber, who dares to question the older man’s judgement. Packed full of climbing authenticity: it’s written well in a flowing style, and with a page-turning narrative that keeps the reader’s eyes glued to it until the end.
Set at the end of the nineteenth century, around 1890, the author portrays the dialogue; clothing, culture and behaviour in such a way that transports the reader back in time. The scenes in the smoke-filled, beer-drenched climbers’ pubs are so genuine they had me dusting off my ancient boots and rushing to the nearest piece of high ground for an amble and the hope of finding a good, old–fashioned inn for needed refuelling.
An enjoyable read, where each page drips with the author’s love of climbing and the outdoor life.
Crowley’s Rival is a compelling and absorbing tale of the rivalry between an experienced, well-regarded–but slightly rusty–climber and a young, talented, newbie climber, who dares to question the older man’s judgement. Packed full of climbing authenticity: it’s written well in a flowing style, and with a page-turning narrative that keeps the reader’s eyes glued to it until the end.
Set at the end of the nineteenth century, around 1890, the author portrays the dialogue; clothing, culture and behaviour in such a way that transports the reader back in time. The scenes in the smoke-filled, beer-drenched climbers’ pubs are so genuine they had me dusting off my ancient boots and rushing to the nearest piece of high ground for an amble and the hope of finding a good, old–fashioned inn for needed refuelling.
An enjoyable read, where each page drips with the author’s love of climbing and the outdoor life.
February 25, 2014
I never knew before reading this that Alistair Crowley was a mountain climer. It was good to read of him when he was still just a very young man. This is only a very short story, enjoyable though
January 6, 2014
Enjoyable, semi-fictional account of a young Aleister Crowley climbing in the Lake District. Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews