Paths of Glory (2009)

Paths of Glory is a novel by English author Jeffrey Archer based on the story of George Mallory who died attempting to climb Everest in the 1920s. It was published by St. Martin's Press on 3 March 2009. It fictionally supports the claims that George Mallory, an Englishman, was the first to conquer Mount Everest – before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Controversy

The novel caused a controversy in New Zealand, with major newspaper The Dominion Post calling it an insult to Sir Edmund Hillary, as the story portrays Mallory as successfully reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

Characters

George Mallory: Professor and climber

Ruth Mallory: Thackeray Turner's daughter and George's wife

Reverend Leigh Mallory: George's father

Annie Mallory: George's mother

Avie Mallory: George's sister

Mary Mallory: George's sister

Trafford Mallory: George's brother

Guy Bullock: George's best friend

Mr. Graham Irving: George's teacher

A. C. Benson: George's teacher at Cambridge

Geoffrey Winthrop Young: Chairman of the Alpine Club and George's climbing mentor

George Finch: George's Australian rival at mountain climbing

Andrew O'Sullivan: Teacher, George's colleague at Charterhouse

Mr. Thackeray Turner: School governor at Charterhouse

Marjorie and Mildred Turner: Mr Turner's daughters

Sandy Irvine: George's final climbing partner

Mr. Arthur Hinks: Secretary Everest committee

Brigadier General Bruce: General posted in India

Sir Edward Norton: Climber

Howard Somervell: Climber

Professor Noel Odell: Climber

Captain John Noel: Climber

Claire, Beridge and John Mallory: George's children.

Film adaptation

In June 2021, it was announced that a film adaptation of Paths of Glory was in development for a production start in January 2022, with Ewan McGregor, Mark Strong, and Sam Heughan set to star as Mallory, Hinks, and Finch, respectively. Doug Liman will direct and produce the project, with Sheldon Turner writing the screenplay under the title Everest and HanWay Films handling international sales and distribution. Juno Temple joined the cast in September as Ruth Mallory.