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.