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Olearia
In his 2013 novel Dark Meridian, Australian author Matthew Tait introduced us to Adam a washed up rock star who retires in solitude and discovered another world in the process. Welcome to the second story in Adam’s narrative … Olearia.
Once a popular scholar in UFO circles, world-renowned writer Alex Barnett has also retreated from the public-eye. After a near-brush with death years previous on a remote outback station, Alex has been gifted (or cursed) with numinous abilities that ultimately bring harm to those he loves the most. But soon his withdrawal is hampered by a new the whereabouts of Adam Lavas. Sensing a kindship with the failed musician (and believing Adam to be more than human), Alex journey’s to the secret mansion known as Meridian in the foothills of Adelaide, there to discover an ally whose true form is married to mystery of the stars.
In the world of Olearia lies the clandestine school of God’s Grove, a transitional sect led by the mysterious human known as Zed. Here, students seek a path to enlightenment that is both enigmatic and suspicious. Arriving as Messengers from another world, Adam and his entourage will soon learn the true meaning of evolution; to go beyond the human kingdom and ultimately transcend the physical.
Once a popular scholar in UFO circles, world-renowned writer Alex Barnett has also retreated from the public-eye. After a near-brush with death years previous on a remote outback station, Alex has been gifted (or cursed) with numinous abilities that ultimately bring harm to those he loves the most. But soon his withdrawal is hampered by a new the whereabouts of Adam Lavas. Sensing a kindship with the failed musician (and believing Adam to be more than human), Alex journey’s to the secret mansion known as Meridian in the foothills of Adelaide, there to discover an ally whose true form is married to mystery of the stars.
In the world of Olearia lies the clandestine school of God’s Grove, a transitional sect led by the mysterious human known as Zed. Here, students seek a path to enlightenment that is both enigmatic and suspicious. Arriving as Messengers from another world, Adam and his entourage will soon learn the true meaning of evolution; to go beyond the human kingdom and ultimately transcend the physical.
ebook
Published January 24, 2019
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About the author
Matthew Tait
30 books46 followersMatthew Tait is an award-winning Australian horror author whose work blends psychological intensity with uncanny, brutal atmosphere. He published his first collection of dark fiction in 2011 and has since built a catalogue of titles praised for their originality and emotional depth. His novel Deception Pass won the Australasian Shadows Award for Best Novel, an honor for which he has been nominated three times. His short story Car Crash Weather was also commended by the Australian Horror Writers Association.
A former horror columnist and lifelong devotee of the genre, Tait’s work has been described as “the sort of horror Clive Barker must read on his days off.” When not crafting unsettling narratives, he’s immersed in the gritty tones of grunge music.
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April 22, 2017
Olearia is Matthew Tait's follow up of his 2013 novel, Dark Meridian.
We continue following Adam Lavas (Ex-Rock god), and his companions Seth, Laura, and Daniel (Mother and son). As they step closer to the world of Olearia, a step into the unknown. Not too long into the mysterious realm, it is soon to their realization that they must make these first few steps on their own. After leaving the forest of Manas Regnum they discover a band of small bipeds of dark appearance who offer guidance into the this new world. They are led to structures reminding Laura and the others as an ancient castle, which offers machines to study self, and a leader, reminiscent of the great Egyptians, Zed, who is eager to give accommodation, study, and friendship; but at what price?
We meet Alex Barnett, a man who has experienced a strange connection beyond the physical after an unfortunate accident. The experience has given him a second chance, and Alex uses this by chasing, exploring, learning and teaching everything possible in the world of Ufology. That is, until another tragic event surrenders him to solitude; until now that is.
We also meet Emily, a young girl who see's life in the twenty first century as thin, and burdensome, and unimportant offering little to no answers for the curious mind. Often wondering what lies out of our reach, maybe watching. Something far superior to our intellect. Sometimes ponderous questions, even unspoken, will fall to the minds of others.
Both Alex, and Emily ask questions from different spectrum and experiences of Mankind, and both will have their needs for curiosity answered. Both have an important role to play, but at what price will their curiosity come.
Over the last five or six years I've been following Tait's work (Slander Hall, Dark Meridian, Davey Ribbon, now Olearia), and every time Matthew has upped his ability to tell his tale. Tightening the creative string, and executing his words/worlds into the reader’s imagination.
Tait has always created worlds that are layer upon layer of vivid landscape, and as he continues to grow these aspects grow too, as do other elements of the craft. For the first time, I can see elements of future works (if chosen), of Space Opera that could easily go step-to-step with the like of Peter F. Hamilton. Tait has yet to write a tome like Hamilton, but with time, and with the constant improvement, will probably create stories with even greater plots, and sub-plots that will demand more space.
To those jumping in fresh here, Olearia offers a nine page "The story so far” catch up in case of those not wanting the read Dark Meridian. All I ask is to be patient. The first two chapters in this novel are a slower, more (needed) patient read in comparison to the chapters that are to follow, but if you make it past those pages; you'll understand how nice a flow that Tait has created; a very smooth ride.
My only complaint on the novel Olearia, was that we are given a story where the imagery of the world is very, very strong,, but some of the main cast of characters that have come from Dark Meridian into this, have a bit of a lesser feel. We understand their thoughts throughout current situations, but there is a lacking depth, mainly from back story. I should note, I said, "My only complaint on the novel, Olearia WAS." because in the two chapters this is solved on WHY I felt this way. Kind of genius, especially when in my mind, I was mentally creating this review, and bang!
Thank you Matthew, for another wonderful addition to the saga, and a wonderful novel to the ever increasing collection.
We continue following Adam Lavas (Ex-Rock god), and his companions Seth, Laura, and Daniel (Mother and son). As they step closer to the world of Olearia, a step into the unknown. Not too long into the mysterious realm, it is soon to their realization that they must make these first few steps on their own. After leaving the forest of Manas Regnum they discover a band of small bipeds of dark appearance who offer guidance into the this new world. They are led to structures reminding Laura and the others as an ancient castle, which offers machines to study self, and a leader, reminiscent of the great Egyptians, Zed, who is eager to give accommodation, study, and friendship; but at what price?
We meet Alex Barnett, a man who has experienced a strange connection beyond the physical after an unfortunate accident. The experience has given him a second chance, and Alex uses this by chasing, exploring, learning and teaching everything possible in the world of Ufology. That is, until another tragic event surrenders him to solitude; until now that is.
We also meet Emily, a young girl who see's life in the twenty first century as thin, and burdensome, and unimportant offering little to no answers for the curious mind. Often wondering what lies out of our reach, maybe watching. Something far superior to our intellect. Sometimes ponderous questions, even unspoken, will fall to the minds of others.
Both Alex, and Emily ask questions from different spectrum and experiences of Mankind, and both will have their needs for curiosity answered. Both have an important role to play, but at what price will their curiosity come.
Over the last five or six years I've been following Tait's work (Slander Hall, Dark Meridian, Davey Ribbon, now Olearia), and every time Matthew has upped his ability to tell his tale. Tightening the creative string, and executing his words/worlds into the reader’s imagination.
Tait has always created worlds that are layer upon layer of vivid landscape, and as he continues to grow these aspects grow too, as do other elements of the craft. For the first time, I can see elements of future works (if chosen), of Space Opera that could easily go step-to-step with the like of Peter F. Hamilton. Tait has yet to write a tome like Hamilton, but with time, and with the constant improvement, will probably create stories with even greater plots, and sub-plots that will demand more space.
To those jumping in fresh here, Olearia offers a nine page "The story so far” catch up in case of those not wanting the read Dark Meridian. All I ask is to be patient. The first two chapters in this novel are a slower, more (needed) patient read in comparison to the chapters that are to follow, but if you make it past those pages; you'll understand how nice a flow that Tait has created; a very smooth ride.
My only complaint on the novel Olearia, was that we are given a story where the imagery of the world is very, very strong,, but some of the main cast of characters that have come from Dark Meridian into this, have a bit of a lesser feel. We understand their thoughts throughout current situations, but there is a lacking depth, mainly from back story. I should note, I said, "My only complaint on the novel, Olearia WAS." because in the two chapters this is solved on WHY I felt this way. Kind of genius, especially when in my mind, I was mentally creating this review, and bang!
Thank you Matthew, for another wonderful addition to the saga, and a wonderful novel to the ever increasing collection.
Displaying 1 of 1 review