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    Across The Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories
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    Across The Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories
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    Across The Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories
    Ebook324 pages4 hours

    Across The Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories

    By Garth Nix

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    Must-have short story collection by Garth Nix, containing thirteen stories all introduced by the author himself.

    ACROSS THE WALL brings together an eclectic mix of Garth Nix’s writing spanning several years.

    The opening story is the 2005 World Book Day novella and Old Kingdom story NICHOLAS SAYRE AND THE CREATURE IN THE CASE, winner of two prestigious Aurealis Awards.

    The rest of the collection includes two tales inspired by Arthurian legend, a war story, a western, a traditional tale with a twist and a hilarious choose-your-own-adventure spoof.

    The volume is introduced by the author himself and, even better, so is each story – giving context, anecdotes and a generous dollop of Nix’s own wry humour.

    Plus! A final bonus section of frequently asked questions for which Garth Nix supplies vital answers.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins UK
    Release dateOct 15, 2009
    ISBN9780007349906
    Unavailable
    Across The Wall: A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories
    Author

    Garth Nix

    Garth Nix is a New York Times bestselling novelist and has been a full-time writer since 2001 but has also worked as a literary agent, marketing consultant, book editor, book publicist, book sales representative, bookseller, and part-time soldier in the Australian Army Reserve. Garth’s many books include the Old Kingdom fantasy series, beginning with Sabriel and continuing to Goldenhand; the sci-fi novels Shade’s Children and A Confusion of Princes; the Regency romance with magic Newt’s Emerald; and novels for children including The Ragwitch, the Seventh Tower series, the Keys to the Kingdom series, and Frogkisser!, which is now in development as a feature film with Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios. Garth has written numerous short stories, some of which are collected in Across the Wall and To Hold the Bridge. He has also cowritten several children’s book series with Sean Williams, including TroubleTwisters and Have Sword, Will Travel. More than six million copies of his books have been sold around the world and his work has been translated into forty-two languages.

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    Reviews for Across The Wall

    3.5/5

    480 ratings27 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Fantasy author Garth Nix collects a novella set in the same world as Sabriel and previously published short stories published from the 1990s to early 2000s and talks that he's given at conferences, each with an introduction explaining the story's origins.The novella that starts the collection was probably my least favorite, as I didn't think it added all that much to what I'd already read in the series. It focuses on a character from Ancelstierre and does give more details of that part of the world of the Abhorsens. The other short stories, however, really show Nix's writing chops and versatility. Some of my favorites included "My New Really Epic Fantasy Series," which was laugh-out-loud funny, and "Endings" which was deliciously creepy. "Charlie Rabbit" impressed me most, as it was an intense story about children affected by war and was very much outside what I've come to expect from Nix, but very well done. An excellent collection for anyone who enjoys them or wants to get a sense of Nix's writing without investing in a novel.
    • 3/5
      I will admit that "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" was my primary reason for picking up this book. I wanted more stories based in the Old Kingdom and/or Ancelstierre. My only real complaint is that the story isn't long enough; I would love to see another novel (or two or three!).

      The other stories in the collection are also good. Some I enjoyed more than others, and several of them had me laughing out loud. Definitely a worthwhile read.
    • 4/5
      A fun addition to the Abhorsen trilogy. The main attraction here is the story "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case", but many of the other stories are good as well.
    • 3/5
      One last dip into the land outside of the Kingdom of the Abhorsen. I was worried I didn't remember enough from the trilogy and I also missed having Tim Curry read it to me. The story was fine as a vehicle for Sam to make it back to the Kingdom. The other stories were hit or miss, but all short. Nothing that rocked my socks off.
    • 3/5
      The first story in this book of short fiction is about Nicholas Sayre, a character from the Abhorsen series, it’s a really fun and exciting adventure story with a terrifying monster that really makes for a good read. But that really is the only great story. Others are ok, one or two may be good, but they really don't grip the reader that much, and just leave you wanting more from the world of the Abhorsen.The introductions at the beginning of each story is the only thing that saves the book from being a complete let down, and it served as a nice window into Garth Nix's life.Worth a look, but don’t expect too much from Across The Wall.
    • 4/5
      I adore the neighboring worlds of the Old Kingdom and Ancelstierre. The Old Kingdom is a darkly fantastical world in which magic not only exists, but is necessary to keep demons trapped past the Nine Gates of death. On its border lies Ancelstierre, which seems both terribly old-fashioned and very modern; the technology and mores seem similar to those of 1940s Britain. The interaction between the two nations--and the clashes and misunderstandings that inevitably occur--are half the fun of the series, for me.
    • 2/5
      I was really let down by this book. I just re-read the Abhorsen series and I loved it as much as I did the first time I read them. With Across the Wall, however, I felt that each story had such an amazing buildup and every ending was just disappointment.
    • 3/5
      I'm not a fan of short stories, so I'm unfairly predisposed against this book, but I picked it up out of a desire to see what happened next to Nicholas Sayre. And I did. And it was very good.
      And then I had 280 pages of short stories to read.
      Some were very good, some less so. Over all, I'd go with a 3.5 star rating, but I'm rounding down because the book's description was very misleading (it implies that the collection has many Abhorsen-world stories with a few unrelated ones, whereas the actual collection has only the one Nick Sayre novella in that universe). So. 3 stars.
    • 4/5
      More more more Abhorsen stories please!
    • 4/5
      A re-read - due to my somehow forgetting to mark down that I'd read the book, and finding another copy at the thrift store for $1. The stories are good enough that I didn't mind re-reading.

      Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case — This story features characters from the 'Abhorsen' series, but relates a stand-alone adventure. Nicholas gets involved with secret agents and has to save the aristocratic attendees of an annoying party from a vicious and magical creature from Across the Wall. Very action-oriented.

      Under the Lake — What if the Lady of The Lake, of Arthurian legend, was an amoral, inhuman creature, interacting with Merlin for her own purposes?

      Charlie Rabbit — A very sentimental, but effective story. Two boys are trapped in a bomb shelter after an air raid. The older boy tells his brother a story starring his toy rabbit to keep from panicking...

      From the Lighthouse — I really like this one. A boorish developer arrives at a remote island that he has (possibly) purchased, with all kinds of plans to change it utterly. But a clever woman does not intend on letting her home be stolen from her community.

      The Hill — Apparently, there was an objection to this story featuring Aboriginal Australian characters, and it got bowdlerized. I'd like to read the original. Still, it's good. Thematically similar to the previous selection: a boy and his grandfather team up to prevent the boy's father from selling the family land to developers.

      Lightning Bringer — This one reminds me a bit of Charles deLint. A young man sees a girl he knows killed by lightning summoned by a strange drifter... There's nothing he can do, but when the man arrives in town for the second time, and sets his sights on his girlfriend, he knows he has to somehow prevent a second crime.

      Down to the Scum Quarter — A 'Choose Your Own Adventure' story. If you remember the series, you'll find this hilarious. If you don't, you'll probably be mystified.

      Heart's Desire — A story of doomed love between Merlin and his apprentice Nimue.

      Hansel's Eyes — A cyberpunk-ish, dystopian & futuristic Hansel and Gretel story, where the witch's cabin is a video game store in a ghetto. Really quite creepy and disturbing.

      Hope Chest — In a Old West town, a foundling girl has a mysterious legacy - that will help her to defeat evil, but lose her the ones that she loved.

      My Really Epic New Fantasy Series — A brief, humorous speech given at a con. Not really necessary. But it's only two pages.

      Three Roses — A short-short with an authentic fairy-tale feel. A king high-handeldly demands ownership of a gardener's roses, but they always fail to thrive...

      Endings — Another short-short - but possibly the most powerful piece in the book. Love it.
    • 2/5
      Meh. I've already read the two good stories in this book (the title story and "Hope Chest") and the others are not very interesting. Plus his introductions to each story are self-congratulatory.

      I love the Abhorsen books but the rest of his work is only moderate.
    • 4/5
      The Abhorsen universe story that begins this collection was really a lot of fun. I've always really liked Nicholas, being a skeptic myself. It's a great story in its own right, but I'm still longing for the Old Kingdom and more stories of the Charter.I was pleased to find that I enjoyed the author's writing in other worlds as well. I think the Arthurian stories were my favorite of the collection (probably because I am not at all well versed in the traditional legends), with "The Hill" and "Three Roses" close behind. The Choose-Your-Own-Adventure tale proved that I am really a major dork in that I actually pulled up an online dice emulator to move through the plot honestly (and was victorious!).
    • 3/5
       Short stories with author intros - nothing amazing, but pleasant to read. The Choose Your Own Adventure parody wasn't followable on my iPod screen, but I could taste scenes enough to get an idea of the fun.
    • 3/5
      There can't be many children's fantasy authors who have remained untouched by the Arthurian legend:John Masefield, Alan Garner, Ursula LeGuin (she shows this awareness in her introduction to 'Tales from Earhsea'), Dian Wynne Jones, Joan Aiken and Philip Reeve are all writers who spring to mind as acknowledging the huge influence of the Matter of Britain. The Australian author Garth Nix is another who makes his debt clear.Nix is best known for his sequence of outstanding novels set largely in the Old Kingdom, across the Wall from Ancelstierre. This setting is deliberately reminiscent of Scotland, Hadrian's Wall and the North of England respectively, but there any resemblance ends, for these are tales of magic--Free Magic, Charter Magic, prophetic sight and the constant war with the Dead. 'Across the Wall' does include a novella related to these worlds, but the other twelve stores take different directions, some promising, others less so. Here I want to just mention two of them.Nix confesses that he "doesn't like the Arthurian mythos", believing that "there are already too many stories and books that have mined the canon" re-using the same stories "tih little or no variation of character, plot, theme or imagery". So when he does give in to requests to write Arthuriana we can and do expect something approaching at a tangent.'Under the Lake' and 'Heart's Desire' don't disappoint, taking an obtuse look at the Lady of the lake and at Merlin's infatuation with Nimue. Nix focuses on character motivation, so that the clichéd tales become reforged, shining with a strange familiarity while retaining a semblance of their traditional shapes. Worth reading for these two tales alone, 'Across the Wall' might well encourage you to search out his other electrifying novels if you haven't yet come across them.
    • 4/5
      This is a collection of short stories by the author of the Abhorsen trilogy and the Keys to the Kingdom series for younger readers. Although the subtitle ("A Tale of the Abhorsen and Other Stories) and cover design would indicate that this is being marketed to readers of the Abhorsen series only one of the short stories is set in the same world as the Abhorsen series and an Abhorsen only turns up on the last page of that story. Having said that, the Abhorsen story (The Creature in the Case) was pretty good as I expected. I enjoyed the breadth of the stories in this collection, there's one story set in Australia, one more science fictiony story, one with an old-fashioned Western style, some Arthurian retellings and one fantastic spoof of the "choose your own adventure" genre with a Three Musketeers theme. If you're only interested in the Abhorsen story then I think you can get hold of it separately but I think the other stories in this book are well worth a look and each has an introduction by Nix explaining why he originally wrote it which was very nice.
    • 4/5
      An anthology of fantasy stories by Garth Nix, most well known for his Abhorsen Trilogy. There is quite a mixture of different stories included in the collection which includes a story set around the Abhorsen stories. Instead of reviewing all the stories I will just mention some of the ones that really stood out.Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the CaseA tale of Nicholas from the Abhorsen series who lives in Ancelstierre. His ambition is to return to the Old Kingdom and see Lirael. His uncle will help him if he answers some questions for the mysterious Department Thirteen. Dorrance runs the Department and is an eccentric who owns a strange free magic creature in a case form the Old Kingdom and Nicholas is convinced it is still alive.Lightening Bringer This was my favourite in the collection. It mixed controlling minds, seeing auras, lightening, sex and love. It reminded me of The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman which is another story I love.Down to Scum QuarterA fun "choose your own adventure" story that plays with Zoro and the Three Muskateers. Very silly but a lot of fun.Hearts DesireA re-telling of the Merlin/Nimue myth from Arthurian legends. To gain power one must catch a star and give up their heart's desire. Merlin caught his star years ago and knows his future and now it is the turn of Nimue.Hope ChestA fantasy Western tale about a baby girl who is found on a train with a note saying her name is Alice May Susan and she will bring good luck. She is adopted along with a mysterious trunk which none can open until she turns 16. What she finds inside helps her go after a dangerous cult leader called The Master.Three RosesA sad and poignant tale about a man who growa beautiful roses for the love of his dead wife.One thing I really enjoyed about this collection was the introduction to each story by Nix. They give you an idea of what the story is about and why he wrote it and what it was written for. I really look forward to reading more of his writing.
    • 4/5
      This is a set of short stories based on the Abhorsen Trilogy. Unfortunately, they lack flow and continuation like the long stories Garth Nix is used to writing. Disappointing in their dis-jointedness, and some stories are intentionally left unfinished, which is not satisfying to the fan of the Abhorsen Trilogy who would like more background information on the characters/situations.
    • 5/5
      Garth Nix writes well and this collection of short stories is no exception.I was drawn to this book after having completed the Abhorsen series. The first short story picks up where Abhorsen left off and shows that young Nick Sayre can handle himself in a crisis, even if he feels he bungled the job.Two of the stories are Arthurian in nature and involve Merlin. Bot takes characters and give "back stories" about them while staying within the realm of the Arthur myths.One story is a kind of do-it-yourself story in that the author gives you paragraphs that send you elsewhere in the story depending on how you make a choice at the end of the paragraph. It lends itself to you, the reader, actually creating several different stories on your own using his words.
    • 5/5
      I was initially hesitant to jump into this collection of short stories as the first is set in Nix's Old Kingdom. It's been quite some time since I read "Sabriel," "Lirael," and "Abhorsen" and I was nervous that I would not remember enough of the details of those stories to enjoy "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" without spending most of the time while reading it trying to remember what/who was being referenced. If that started happening, I would be forced to re-read the entire 1,744 page saga in order to enjoy this book. I do intend to re-read those books someday, but as I'm trying to do 200 books this year, that would really set me back. I was pleased to find that I could quite enjoy the story as Nix provided enough reminders and backstory that I was able to jump right back in.I was also quite enamoured of the other stories in the book. These are an excellent sampling of the Author's work over the years. I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite, and, as with almost no short story collection I have ever read before, I did not dislike any of them. The best thing about the anthology is the author's introductions to each of them. These paragraphs gave insight into both the origin of the story and the writing process of the author himself, information I always find fascinating. I find, also, that it gives the reader a much richer reading experience.
    • 5/5
      Excellent short stories and great to return to the Wall.
    • 4/5
      This is a collection of 12 short stories and 1 novella by the author, each previously published in one format or another. The best of the collection is the title story, a novella set in the world of the Abhorsen trilogy and a direct sequel to the third book, Abhorsen. The other stories vary, some I really liked, others did nothing for me. Generally, Nix's writing is grim and dark and it is these stories that I enjoyed. The few stories that were light or humourous just did not entertain me at all. I highly recommend the reading of the title story for fans of the trilogy. The rest of the stories may be enjoyed by others. #1 - Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case - This 95-page novella starts shortly after the events of the book Abhorsen. Nicholas Sayre is recuperating in Ancelstierre at the home of an acquaintance of his father's. He soon finds that the body of a Free Magic creature is stored in the underground rooms. The creature is not dead though and soon finds the strength to return to life but he has a craving for blood. Nicholas must stop the beast before he kills them all. This was a wonderful, fast-paced read that gave the reader greater insight into Nicholas' character. An appearance by Lireal at the end is a delight. I don't think the story would make much sense to anyone who hasn't read the trilogy though. #2 - Under the Lake - An Arthurian tale of the Lady in the Lake. A quiet, lyrical story that tells of how the lady, who is not really a lady at all, ended up in the lake. This was just ok, different but nothing special. #3. Charlie Rabbit - This was a very grim story of children in wartime. A boy and his little brother, along with his toy rabbit, are alone when their house is bombed in the middle of the night. A chilling tale. #4. From the Lighthouse - This was a bit strange and I'm not sure I really got it. A man arrives on an island and tells the residents that he has just bought the island and is now their new owner. His guide pretends to be happy for him but has other plans in mind. #5. The Hill - A boy rushes off to tell his great-great-grandfather that his father is selling the family property. So the old man rushes off to prevent it. Another good one. #6. Lightning Bringer - A man comes to town wielding a terrible power. He realizes that a boy can see his power and is just like him. He tells the boy he must use his power before he loses it. There is more to the story but it would give it away to say more. I liked this one, it was pretty cool. #7. Down to the Scum Quarter - This was a lot of fun! A parody of the choose your own adventure books, you must rescue your beloved who has been kidnapped and taken to the seedy part of town. My first try, I made three moves and ended up dead. Then I started over and made it through to the end alive. I used to be addicted to these books as a kid so this was really fun for me. #8. Heart's Desire - In this story we learn the reasons behind the Merlin/Nimue story of Arthurian legend. Merlin is my favourite Arthurian character and the Merlin/Nimue relationship intrigues me but this story fell flat with me. It was just overall, rather boring. #9. Hansel's Eyes - A retelling of the Hansel and Gretel story with a modern twist. The witch entices children not with candy but with PlayStation games and systems, nor does she wish to eat the children but rather sells their parts for organ transplants. This was very good and one of my favourites. #10. Hope Chest - This is one of the longer stories in the book and aside from the title novella, my favourite story in the book. This is set in a quasi wild west/alternate USA world. A baby is found abandoned in a small town. One family adopts her and she grows up to be a young lady. The baby was found with a large hope chest but no one has ever been able to open it. Upon the girl's 16th birthday, the chest opens for her and the girl's destiny starts to unravel as she must save the town from an evil that is taking over the world. This was really good and one of those stories you want more of and wish there were a whole book. #11. My New Really Epic Fantasy Series - This is a humourous speech the author has given several times that is a parody of epic fantasy series. I didn't find it particularly funny. #12. Three Roses - Very short, sweet fairy tale about a gardener who grows roses with the love of his dead wife. #13. Endings - Another very short story. A vampire tells how, in the end, he was killed. The last two stories were short but I enjoyed them both.
    • 5/5
      Even the stories that I didn't like as much were good, this has several great stories, particularly the Abhorsen story.Well recommended particularly if you're a fan or looking for a taster.
    • 3/5
      I loved the first novella, Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case. I miss the Old Kingdom already. :p
    • 5/5
      The Abhorsen Trilogy is possibly my all time favorite childhood fantasy series. So you know what...Garth Nix can go back to this world anytime he likes and I will follow. That is much how I came into contact with this collection, and I really enjoyed not just the novella but all the tales.Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case - It was really just a pleasure to go back into this world that I've always so enjoyed. And the appearance of Lirael at the end certainly didn't hurt. It was a quick read, as are all things Garth Nix writes, but a fulfilling one, an enjoyable one.Under the Lake - The first of two Arthurian tales. I adored it. The lady of the lake is possibly my all time favorite character from the myths....and I loved this new take on things.Charlie Rabbit - It broke my heart. The short tale gives you just a brief glimpse into the lives of children facing like in the middle of a war zone. And sometimes the faith of a small child...isn't always for naught. You may not see it that way. Or even afterward view it the same way the small child did. But he was right. Charlie Rabbit did save them.From the Lighthouse - Nix took a bit of a step into the Sci-Fi realm... and while I like the concept and the setting... due to its length...I think I just feel like I'm missing out on more of a story. But nice nonetheless.The Hill - I adored this. The setting, the young boy, the old man, the cab driver, the young boy's father....everything seemed so fleshed out...though the short story is just that short. I didn't feel like I was just glimpsing this story. I understood this story. A love of a land and how it should be. Longing to the simplicity of the past before everything became all about money and greed and what you can get from something rather than just enjoying something.Lightning Bringer - I appreciated it...and the lightning concept reminded me a bit of Something Wicked This Way Comes. But not one of my favorites.Down to the Scum Quarter - Brilliant! I laughed. Choose Your Own Adventures...shall always be grand.. especially with the humor of well Nix.Heart's Desire - The second of the two Arthurian tales, and once again I adored it. Because he picked up on my other favorite part of the myth. The twisted tale of Merlin and Nimue. I love this take how well why everything fell apart. Why a great man such as Merlin fell for Nimue to begin with. Loved it.Hansel's Eyes - I love modern day takes on fairy tales. I always have and always will. Because the tales that were creepy when we were young...remain creepy to our older selves when they are taken from a hidden faraway fantastical world. And put into our own modern day one.Hope Chest - Brilliant! I wish there was more. Or that it could be lengthened to an actual novel. There is so much here. And so much I am left wondering out. Plus...I have a soft spots for tales about ordinary women who suddenly come into powers and kick major ass.My New Really Epic Fantasy Series - Just a riot! I laughed all the way through.Three Roses - Just really short, simple, and sweet.Endings - Another tale that I wish I had been given more of. Simply because it was so well awesome really. Because within three pages...there was so much story there. So much woven into that short amount of words. Love!
    • 5/5
      More tremendous writing from Nix. A couple things made this especially cool to read: First, Nix does a brief intro to each story, and I have not read much of him writing about himself. Second, the rich humour in a number of the tales (2 are even satire) and also in the intros. The story "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Case" I had read before in a special edition, but I'm sure it helped spark interest in this very worthy collection.
    • 4/5
      While I picked up this book for the title story, which takes place in the Abhorsen universe, I was more charmed by the delightful parody of Choose Your Own Adventure Novels. Garth Nix has the rare ability to write intense fantasy drama as well as laugh-out-loud comedy!
    • 3/5
      The long Old Kingdom story in this collection, "Nicholas Sayre and the Creature in the Cabinet," is really well-written and a lot of fun. The other stories vary in quality and are by and large kind of forgettable.