Product Description

On a September evening in 1931, John and Jack, two of the Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica, discover a plea for help on a medieval manuscript -- which seems to have been written by their friend, Hugo Dyson! When they rush to warn him, Hugo walks through a door in time -- and vanishes into the past. And in that moment, the world begins to change.

The Frontier, which separates our world from the Archipelago of Dreams, has fallen. Dark and terrible beasts roam throughout England. No one can be summoned from the Archipelago. All the world lies under the reign of a cruel and terrible king.

The only hope to restore the proper order of things lies on a forgotten island, where a time travel device left by Jules Verne must be used to race through history itself -- from the Bronze Age, to ancient Alexandria and the founding of the Silver Throne -- in one night. And in that single night, John and Jack will find that the only way to save their friend and stop the chaos destroying the world is to solve a two-thousand year-old mystery: Who is the Cartographer?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1453783 in Books
• Published on: 2008-10-21
• Formats: Audiobook, Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 8
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• ISBN13: 9780743574716
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

About the Author
James A. Owen is the author and illustrator of the Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. He is founder and executive director of Coppervale International, an art and design studio that also publishes the periodicals International Studio and Argosy Quarterly, develops television and film projects, and is redesigning an entire town, among other ventures. James has written and illustrated two dozen Starchild comics, the Mythworld series of novels (published in Germany and France), and more. He lives in Arizona.

James Langton trained as an actor at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and later as a musician at the Guildhall School in London. He has worked in radio, film and television, also appearing in theater in England and on Broadway. James was born in York, England and now lives in New York City.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Hurrying along one of the tree-lined paths at Magdalen College in Oxford, John glanced up at the cloud-clotted sky and decided that he rather liked the English weather. Constant clouds made for soft light; soft light that cast no shadows. And John liked to avoid shadows as much as possible.

As he passed through the elaborate gate that marked the entrance to Addison's Walk, he looked down at his watch, checking his progress, then looked again. The watch had stopped, and not for the first time. It had been a gift from his youngest child, his only daughter, and while her love in the gift was evident, the selection had been made from a child's point of view and was therefore more aesthetic than practical. The case was burnished gold (although it was most certainly gold-colored tin), the face was painted with spring flowers, and on the back was the embossed image of a frog wearing a bonnet.

John had absentmindedly pulled it out of his pocket during one of the frequent gatherings of his friends at Magdalen, much to their amusement. Barfield in particular loved to approach him now at inopportune moments just to ask the time -- and hopefully embarrass John in the process.

John sighed and tucked the watch back in his pocket, then pulled his collar tighter and hurried on. He was probably already late for the dinner he'd been invited to at the college, and although he had always been punctual (mostly), events of recent years had made him much more aware of the consequences tardiness can bring.

Five years earlier, after a sudden and unexpected journey to the Archipelago of Dreams, he'd found himself a half hour late for an evening with visiting friends that had been planned by his wife. Even had he not taken an oath of secrecy regarding the Archipelago, he would scarcely have been able to explain that he was late because he'd been saving Peter Pan's granddaughter and thousands of other children from the Pied Piper, and had only just returned via a magic wardrobe in Sir James Barrie's house, and so had still needed to drive home from London.

His wife, however, still made the occasional remark about his having been late for the party. So John had since resolved to be as punctual as possible in every circumstance. And tonight he was certain that Jack would not want to be on his own for long, even if the third member of their dinner meeting was their good and trusted friend, Hugo Dyson.

Hugo had become part of a loose association of like-minded fellows, centered around Jack and John, who gathered together to read, discuss, and debate literature, Romanticism, and the nature of the universe, among other things. The group had evolved from an informal club at Oxford that John had called the Coalbiters, which was mostly concerned with the history and mythology of the Northern lands. One of the members of the current gathering referred to them jokingly as the "not-so-secret secret society," but where John and Jack were concerned, the name was more ironic than funny. They frequently held other meetings attended only by themselves and their friend Charles, as often as he could justify the trip from London to Oxford, in which they discussed matters that their colleagues would find impossible to believe. For rather than discussing the meaning of metaphor in ancient texts of fable and fairy tale, what was discussed in this actually secret secret society were the fables and fairy tales themselves...which were real. And existed in another world just beyond reach of our own. A world called the Archipelago of Dreams.

John, Jack, and Charles had been recruited to be Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica, the great atlas of the Archipelago. Accepting the job brought with it many other responsibilities, including the welfare of the Archipelago itself and the peoples within it. The history of the atlas and its Caretakers amounted to a secret history of the world, and sometimes each of them felt the full weight of that burden; for events in the Archipelago are often mirrored in the natural world, and what happens in one can affect the other.

In the fourteen years since they first became Caretakers, all three men had become distinguished as both scholars and writers in and around Oxford, as had been the tradition with other Caretakers across the ages. There were probably many other creative men and women in other parts of the world who might have had the aptitude for it, but the pattern had been set centuries earlier by Roger Bacon, who was himself an Oxford scholar and one of the great compilers of the Histories of the Archipelago.

The very nature of the Geographica and the accompanying Histories meant that discussing them or the Archipelago with anyone in the natural world was verboten. At various points in history, certain Caretakers-in-training had disagreed with this doctrine and had been removed from their positions. Some, like Harry Houdini and Arthur Conan Doyle, were nearly eaten by the dragons that guarded the Frontier, the barrier between the world and the Archipelago, before giving up the job. Others, like the adventurer Sir Richard Burton, were cast aside in a less dramatic fashion but had become more dangerous in the years that followed.

In fact, Burton had nearly cost them their victory in their second conflict with the Winter King -- with his shadow, to be more precise -- and had ended up escaping with one of the great Dragonships. He had not been seen since. But John suspected he was out there somewhere, watching and waiting.

Burton himself may have been the best argument for Caretaker secrecy. The knowledge of the Archipelago bore with it the potential for great destruction, but Burton was blind to the danger, believing that knowledge was neither good nor evil -- only the uses to which it was put could be. It was the trait that made him a great explorer, and an unsuitable Caretaker.

Because of the oath of secrecy, there was no one on Earth with whom the three Caretakers could discuss the Archipelago, save for their mentor Bert, who was in actuality H. G. Wells, and on occasion, James Barrie. But Barrie, called Jamie by the others, was the rare exception to Burton's example: He was a Caretaker who gave up the job willingly. And as such, John had realized early on that the occasional visit to reminisce was fine -- but Jamie wanted no part of anything of substance that dealt with the Archipelago.

What made keeping the secret difficult was that John, Jack, and Charles had found a level of comfortable intellectualism within their academic and writing careers. A pleasant camaraderie had developed among their peers at the colleges, and it became more and more tempting to share the secret knowledge that was theirs as Caretakers. John had even suspected that Jack may have already said something to his closest friend, his brother Warnie -- but he could hardly fault him for that. Warnie could be trusted, and he had actually seen the girl Laura Glue, when she'd crashed into his and Jack's garden, wings askew, five years earlier, asking about the Caretakers.

But privately, each of them had wondered if one of their friends at Oxford might not be inducted into their circle as an apprentice, or Caretaker-in-training of sorts. After all, that was how Bert and his predecessor, Jules Verne, had recruited their successors. In fact, Bert still maintained files of study on potential Caretakers, young and old, for his three protégés to observe from afar. Within the circle at Oxford, there were at least two among their friends who would qualify in matters of knowledge and creative thinking: Owen Barfield and Hugo Dyson. John expected that sometime in the future, he, Jack, and Charles would likely summon one (or both) colleagues for a long discussion of myth, and history, and languages, and then, after a hearty dinner and good drink, they would unveil the Imaginarium Geographica with a flourish, and thus induct their fellow or fellows into the ranks of the Caretakers. Other candidates might be better qualified than the Oxford dons, but familiarity begat comfort, and comfort begat trust. And in a Caretaker, trust was one of the most important qualities of all.

But none of them had anticipated having such a meeting as a matter of necessity, under circumstances that might have mortal consequences for one of their friends. Among them, Jack especially was wary of this. He had lost friends in two worlds and was reluctant to put another at risk if he could help it.

He had requested that all three of them meet for dinner with Hugo Dyson on the upcoming Saturday rather than their usual Thursday gathering time, but as it turned out, Charles was doing research for a novel in the catacombs beneath Paris and could not be reached. He'd been expected back that very day, but as they had heard nothing from him, and he had not yet appeared back in London, John and Jack decided that the meeting was too important to delay, and they confirmed the appointment with Hugo for that evening. It was agreed that the best place for it was in Jack's rooms at Magdalen. They met there often, and so no one observing them would find anything amiss; but the rooms also afforded a degree of privacy they could not get in the open dining halls or local taverns, should the discussion turn to matters best kept secret.

This was almost inevitable, John realized with a shudder of trepidation, given the nature of the matter he and Jack needed to broach with Hugo. Oddly enough, it was actually Charles who was responsible for setting the events in motion, or rather, a small package that had been addressed to him and that he'd subsequently forwarded to Jack at Magdalen. Charles worked at the Oxford University Press, which was based in London, and very few people knew of his connection to Jack at all -- much less knew enough to address the parcel, "Mr. Charles Williams, Caretaker." Charles sent it to Jack, with the instruction that he open it together with John -- and Hugo Dyson.

Invoking the title of Caretaker meant that the parcel involved the Archipelago. And Charles's ...

From AudioFile
Travel back in time with John and Jack in the third chronicle of the Imaginarium Geographica. Hugo has stepped through a time portal, and John and Jack follow to prevent him from changing history. Mordred manipulates events to continue his tyrannical rule. As the heroes try to set the Arthurian legend straight, James Langton provides a clear account of a complex tale. He leads listeners surefootedly through history, myth, and legend. His understated performance gives the adventures a quiet dignity, although Langton often overlooks the story's humor and sarcasm. His formality, however, well suits the story's epic nature. The best of the series, THE INDIGO KING will especially please fans of the other two recordings. C.A. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

The magic of myths
I have not read the first two books of the "Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica." But even though I was not familiar with what has been going on in the Chronicles, I found the third volume, "The Indigo King," fascinating.

One September night, John and Jack, Oxford scholars, and their friend Hugo encounter a mysterious door bearing the image of the Holy Grail. When Hugo crosses the door and vanishes, the world as the three friends knew it changes--for the worse. England becomes Albion, a desolate and mythical land ruled by their foe, Mordred. And to make matters worse, Mordred has also destroyed the Archipelago of Dreams, the world John and Jack were responsible of as Caretakers of its atlas, the Imaginarium Geographica. The Archipelago was the place where fables and legends were real. John and Jack realize that Hugo's crossing has disrupted timelines and history itself and to repair the damage, they must travel through time to find Hugo and to discover Mordred's real name in order to prevent him from coming into power.

In "The Indigo King," James Owen has woven a captivating adventure that cleverly blends historical and mythological figures and events. A number of historical personalities make their appearances in this book but as the story develops, I easily forgot that John was J.R.R. Tolkien, Jack was C.S. Lewis, and Bert, H.G. Wells. The only times I was aware of John as being Tolkien and Jack as being Lewis were during their conversations about Christianity and faith. As to the legends and myths incorporated in the plot, I think if you're familiar with the Odyssey, the Iliad, and the Arthurian legends, you will enjoy this book a lot more and understand it a bit better. What with time loops and name changes, I had to write myself notes, so that I could keep the who was who straight.

The publishers targeted this book to young adults, but if I don't see "The Indigo King" flying off the shelves is because, I think, it may be hard for a teen to identify himself or herself with tea-sipping, fortyish Oxford professors (actually, in 1931, Tolkien was 39 years old; Lewis, 33; Charles Williams, 45 and Hugo Dyson, 35). However, I don't have any doubts that this fantasy book will find its way into the hands and heart of anybody who loves the magic of fables, legends, and myths.

A Better than Excellent Fantasy Thriller
Stop right here if you have not read HERE THERE BE DRAGONS and THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON. Though you can read this book without having read the first two in the trilogy, it would be a mistake, because if you're a lover of fantasy, you'd be missing a couple royal treats and they'll make this book so much more fun.

In HERE THERE BE DRAGONS, we met Jack and John and though Mr. Owen didn't disclose their try identities till the end of the book, I figured it out. Anyone who's read Tolkin and C.S. Lewis would have. Jack (Lewis), John (Tolkien) and Charles Williams (also a fantasy writer of the time) become caretakers of the world's imagination and there adventures continue in a swashbuckling way in THE SEARCH FOR THE RED DRAGON, where they meet a pixie with wings and the creator of Peter Pan.

Both books held me captive and Mr. Owens' illustrations only added to their pleasure. This book continues the tale as our intrepid heros are called back into action when a friend vanishes through a door in time and things in the present start changing and not for the better. Jack and John have to find Jules Verne's time machine, go back in time and fix whatever damage their friend may have done and in this book they will finally learn the identity of the Cartographer, who you will know a little about if you've read the first two books, which I can't recommend highly enough.

If you've read Tolkein and Lewis and H.G. Wells and Sir James Barrie's PETER PAN then you'll get even more enjoyment out of Mr. Owens' work, but even if you have not, you will still find yourself engrossed in an excellent fantasy from the first to the last page.

A celebration of imagination
More than most novels of the imagination, The Indigo King makes the creative act the centerpiece of the plot. From its beautifully designed and executed cover art to the author's splendid ink illustrations that festoon the book, the novel's presentation celebrates the artistry involved in its own creation as well as others like it. With a plot that involves such masters of the imagination as J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Williams and H. G. Wells, and an imaginary atlas called the Imaginarium Geographica - an atlas of imaginary places - that the famous writers are asked to guard, all aspects of creativity are exalted in this superlative fantasy novel.

James A. Owen is doubly gifted: he writes well and draws beautifully. His lovely illustrations, resembling classic 19th century wood-block drawings that one might see in a masterful Folio Society rendition of a book of fairy tales, raises the bar in new imaginative fiction. I found myself quickly drawn into his world, the beauty of the book acting as a portal through which my own imagination acted as the guide. This is the third book of a series but it can stand alone without loss of continuity. Ostensibly written for young adults, adults who enjoy works that break the boundaries between what is real and what exists in imaginative worlds lying just beyond our reach will appreciate the many beauties contained between its covers. A lovely book that is strongly recommended.

Mike Birman