Sabriel (Cont.): The Platypus Reads Part CCCXIX

Today, we continue my blog-through Garth Nix's 1995 dark fantasy sensation: Sabriel. The first post in this series can be found here. As an added bonus, I'm attempting to doodle my way through Nix's world and hope to provide a different drawing with each post. Today's features Sabriel setting out from the wall into the borderlands between the technological world of Ancelstierre and the magical world of The Old Kingdom. As this is a liminal place, her gear is appropriately liminal with modern and medieval touches. I think Sabriel as pictured here owes more than a little to Trish from the Eldritch Horror games, though the sword is definitely John Howe and the bells are church handbells (nine tailors make a man).

Anyhow, if you wish to remain spoiler free on a 23 year old book (is it in grad school or a temp at Dunder Mifflin?), don't read on.




From my journal notes:

Chapter 2 opens with a set-piece that reinforces the leitmotif of boundary-crossing: The Wall. The Wall marks the boundary between magical and technological. It is a trans-historical cross between Hadrian's Wall and No-Man's-Land. As with Boundaries in classical literature, there is always a Gatekeeper who can serve the protagonist as guide. The Hermes (Lord of Boundaries, Herald of the Dead) in Nix's world is colonel Horyse. Sabriel's first task is to convince the Col. that he should let an 18 year old girl across the wall. It's a nice touch of Realism. It lets us know that were in an Adult world of Adult consequences with a very much Adult Magical TSA. Nix is also careful to Raise The Stakes by letting us know that the border will be overrun if the Abhorsen's magic pickets aren't renewed.

Chapter 3 presents us with a world of snow and desolation on the other side of the wall. Sabriel has only the barest of landmarks by which to navigate. The emptiness of the Old Kingdom creates an atmosphere of creeping dread. We wonder if there has been a general catastrophe that has obliterated life on this side of The Wall. By page 37, however, we find that Sabriel is up to the challenge. She is already on her way to becoming a necromantic adept and has the skills she needs to not die immediately if she can't find help. Nix plays fair in the imaginary world he has created. There is no "Harry Potter Syndrome" where its enough that the protagonist is the Chosen One to overcome all obstacles at age 11. Loneliness is also a dominant feature as Sabriel has no "Red-Shirts of Shannara" to help he navigate the frozen wastes. In fact...

In Chapter 4, we find that the patrol that could have helped Sabriel is dead; killed by one of the Greater Dead. This is a foe beyond Sabriel's ability to confront, and she will have to use all her skill just to stay alive. Our heroine is human, but she is also humane. Sabriel will "Save the Cat" once more by offering whatever last rites she can to the bodies of the slane.

By Chapter 5, if we haven't realized it yet, we see that Sabriel is clearly in over her head. The landmark she has been making for as her first step in finding Abhorsen's house is a broken Charter Stone (a menhir that enforces the mystical order of things in the Old Kingdom). Sabriel quickly realizes that the stone has been broken by human sacrifice and a powerful ritual. Furthermore, the sacrificed had to be a Charter Mage; someone with greater ability than Sabriel. The stakes are now quite high and Nix will make an interesting authorial choice as he opens chapter 6...

...which will be where we begin the next portion of this review!