Editing Myst: The Book of Atrus
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{{Infobox novel | {{Infobox novel | ||
|image = Book_of_Atrus_cover.jpg | |image = Book_of_Atrus_cover.jpg | ||
| author = | | author = David Wingrove | ||
| publisher = Hyperion | | publisher = Hyperion | ||
| date = January 1, 1995 | | date = January 1, 1995 | ||
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| followed-by = [[Myst: The Book of Ti'ana]] | | followed-by = [[Myst: The Book of Ti'ana]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''''Myst: The Book of Atrus''''' is the first [[ | '''''Myst: The Book of Atrus''''' is the first [[Myst]] novel sorted by release, although chronologically, the events of [[Book of Ti'ana]] happened earlier. Originally released in paperback and hardcopy editions, both are now out of print. Aside from second-hand copies, the easiest way to obtain the book is now through the [[Myst Reader]] trilogy wrapper. | ||
The paperback editions features a D'ni text in the backcover, about [[Reference:Book_of_Atrus_backcover|Talashar]]. | |||
The | |||
The book covers the birth and early life of [[Atrus]], thus explaining some of the events that ultimately led to the storylines of [[Myst (game)|Myst]] and [[Riven (game)|Riven]]. | The book covers the birth and early life of [[Atrus]], thus explaining some of the events that ultimately led to the storylines of [[Myst (game)|Myst]] and [[Riven (game)|Riven]]. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Like its two sequels, the book was published by [[Hyperion]], a subsidiary of Disney. Before they were signed as publisher (bringing David Wingrove onto the project), [[James Lileks]] had written an early draft for Cyan to review.<ref> | Like its two sequels, the book was published by [[Hyperion]], a subsidiary of Disney. Before they were signed as publisher (bringing David Wingrove onto the project), [[James Lileks]] had written an early draft for Cyan to review.<ref>[[RAWA]] [http://linguists.bahro.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1389&view=findpost&p=13139 posting] on the [[Guild of Linguists (restored)#The D'ni Linguistic Fellowship|DLF]] forums.</ref> | ||
==Book Description== | ==Book Description== | ||
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===Life in the Cleft (Chapters 1–4)=== | ===Life in the Cleft (Chapters 1–4)=== | ||
The first few chapters show Atrus learning valuable life lessons from Anna: those that relate to ethics, morality, and logic. It is these lessons that he would later carry with him throughout his life. Anna also keeps telling him tales from and about D'ni and teaches him the [[ | The first few chapters show Atrus learning valuable life lessons from Anna: those that relate to ethics, morality, and logic. It is these lessons that he would later carry with him throughout his life. Anna also keeps telling him tales from and about D'ni and teaches him the [[D'ni language]] but Atrus considers them fables. Also, the reader is introduced to the phrase, "What do you see?" which Anna constantly asks Atrus, and he later asks himself. (In ''[[The Book of Ti'ana]]'' it is discovered that [[Anna's father]] coined the phrase.) | ||
When he is fourteen, Atrus conducts an experiment within the crater of the [[volcano]] to charge a battery he's made so he can automate the drawing of water. An explosion uncovers an artificial cave. Anna calls him away as the crater would be too dangerous. Later, unbeknownst to Anna, Atrus returns to retrieve his battery and to investigate the tunnel. In the tunnel he finds a huge carved D'ni word and a [[Firemarble|fire-marble]] and realizes that the tales of D'ni are true. | When he is fourteen, Atrus conducts an experiment within the crater of the [[volcano]] to charge a battery he's made so he can automate the drawing of water. An explosion uncovers an artificial cave. Anna calls him away as the crater would be too dangerous. Later, unbeknownst to Anna, Atrus returns to retrieve his battery and to investigate the tunnel. In the tunnel he finds a huge carved D'ni word and a [[Firemarble|fire-marble]] and realizes that the tales of D'ni are true. | ||
Anna finds him and she tells him about the [[Fall of D'ni]] and Ti'ana's role in it, but doesn't tell him that she is Ti'ana. Atrus promises not to return there until 'he is ready'. Anna introduces him to the ideas behind the | Anna finds him and she tells him about the [[Fall of D'ni]] and Ti'ana's role in it, but doesn't tell him that she is Ti'ana. Atrus promises not to return there until 'he is ready'. Anna introduces him to the ideas behind the [[Gahro Hevtee]] in The [[The Art|Art]], and thinks about being able to teach him soon. | ||
A significant event in Atrus's early life the the death of his cat, [[Flame]]; she died after licking toxic substances on herself as the result of Atrus's failed soil experiment. | A significant event in Atrus's early life the the death of his cat, [[Flame]]; she died after licking toxic substances on herself as the result of Atrus's failed soil experiment. | ||
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*Also in the book description, Atrus is decribed as "the last of the race of D'ni". Even though this was what Atrus may have thought at the time the novel takes place, it is an inaccuracy because there were many D'ni who fled to other Ages that were not ravaged by Veovis' plague. Atrus was also only one-fourth D'ni (which came from his grandfather, Aitrus). | *Also in the book description, Atrus is decribed as "the last of the race of D'ni". Even though this was what Atrus may have thought at the time the novel takes place, it is an inaccuracy because there were many D'ni who fled to other Ages that were not ravaged by Veovis' plague. Atrus was also only one-fourth D'ni (which came from his grandfather, Aitrus). | ||
*Gehn's version of the [[Fall of D'ni]] differs slightly from what is depicted in The Book of Ti'ana but this can be explained by Gehn's young age when it happened. | *Gehn's version of the [[Fall of D'ni]] differs slightly from what is depicted in The Book of Ti'ana but this can be explained by Gehn's young age when it happened. | ||
*Atrus claims that through his study of D'ni history he has learned that D'ni existed for the "best part of sixty thousand years". According to canon, the D'ni Empire existed for about ten thousand (10,000) years | *Atrus claims that through his study of D'ni history he has learned that D'ni existed for the "best part of sixty thousand years". According to canon, the D'ni Empire existed for about ten thousand (10,000) years. | ||
== References == | == References == |