The Birthday Boys
This 1991
novel is beautifully constructed in five parts.Each is recorded by one member
of Scott's final polar party. In turn, P.O. Evans, Dr. Wilson, Scott himself,
Lt Birdie Bowers and Capt. Oates, each tell a slice of their famous and tragic
story. Since everyone already knows how the story comes out, the book doesn't
offer the reader a chronological plod through well-worn events Instead, it skips.
Refracted through the multiple viewpoints, we get not only different views of
events and personalities. We catch the heroes in consistencies and outright lies,
spot their self-deceptions and fatal delusions. It's a fascinating trick to render
depth of character, something like the old stereopticon pictures. This is a book
about that depends upon character and point of view - and what crucially and tragically
does not. Bainbridge is a master of the period and has researched her material
thoroughly, rarely putting a foot wrong. The bits that's she's made up are so
seamlessly worked in that you really do feel that this is how it must have happened.
There are relatively few works of fiction about Scott, and this is surely one
of the best.
This review was written by Brenda W. Clough, author of Doors
Of Death and Life, available from Tor Books. For further information go to www.sff.net/people/brenda/
