Review: The Voyages of Delticos by Peter Tomlinson

Peter Tomlinson has written a powerful, moving, and sometimes disturbing book. Disturbing in that it leads one to question ones own ideas and taken for granted beliefs as the author takes his characters on a journey of discovery during which they learn that questions can be more important than the answers.

A storm tossed, perilous journey across the ocean takes Kadrik and Bantius to the Land of the Faraway people. Kadrik is seeking the wisdom that will help him to save his own people from pestilence, famine, and the marauders who break up their homes and settlements. Delticos, a healer, shows him how to treat wounds, and teaches him about plants with healing powers to cure illness, while gently leading him to doubt the wrong thinking and myths that have taken hold amongst his own people. As well as learning how to heal the body, Kadrik also becomes aware of ways to heal the mind and soul.

Delticos sails back with them to their own land, where amidst the prevailing chaos the three men endeavour to restore calmer, happier times. As they meet with old friends and old enemies the tension builds rapidly, their exploits and journeys taking them to the Great Cave where the tablets of Zilk are concealed. The truth lies there, stronger than the falsities and myths of later scribes.

This story can be enjoyed as a tale of heroic adventures, as Kadrik travels across his land and Delticos sails to and fro across the ocean, but the underlying philosophy, summed up in the aphorisms at the end of the book, is valuable and impressive. If you have not already read the other two books in the trilogy ‘The Petronicus Legacy’ you will surely wish to repair that omission.

Reviewed by Kate Edwards

Excerpt from The Voyages of Delticos

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