Eva Fairdeath

Tanith Lee 1994 Buy from Amazon.com

Written when Tanith Lee was in her twenties but not published until 1994, Eva Fairdeath includes an introduction by the author, which is a fascinating insight into how she views writing, and her own earlier work.

Eva Fairdeath is a post-apocalypse novel, in which most human settlements have reverted to a primitive style of living, superstitious and violent. Eva Belmort herself is living in a small village on a marsh, with her father and siblings, and she is most unusual. Right from the beginning Tanith Lee manages to imbue Eva with a sort of a derangement, she is obviously mad, and her behaviour and speech often makes no sense even to herself.

The ambiance is not reliant only on the environmental descriptions of the barren world, as the behaviour and speech of the characters adds to the feeling of a much harsher society. They speak cruelly to each other and are thoughtlessly violent, although it seems all as strange to Eva as it does to the reader.

Coming home one night Eva encounters a wagon driving toward the village, with a strange man driving. He is the only other albino she has seen, and she calls him Steel, while he tells her that Belmort means ‘Fairdeath’.

The next day a godspeaker comes to the village, to whip up religious fervour and money, but winds up dead, a bullet from Steel’s rifle between his eyes. In the ensuing chase, Eva attaches herself to him and they flee the village. She wants him, but he doesn’t seem to want her.

By the time they reach the settlement of Oiltown, Steel and Eva are locked together, and by now we know that Steel is rather odd himself. He has an obsession with killing people, but Eva doesn’t know why or who they are. Over the course of the book, as we see more of him, it becomes clear that he is quite mad, if in a somewhat different manner to Eva.

In Oiltown Eva meets Sail the thief, physically similar to Steel, yet outgoing and roguish. When they flee the town together Steel follows and finds them. Eva is confused and upset, one moment she wants Steel, then Sail, and each of them think she wants the other. The contrast between vibrant, humorous Sail and cold, controlled Steel is striking, and yet they seem determined to co-operate.

Tanith Lee has created a convincing new world, peopled with mutants and ruffians, set with poisonous water and barren landscapes. Eva herself is fey and confusing, but in a realistic fashion. Steel is cold and mercilessly fair, while Sail is cheeky and emotional. The interactions between them are skilfully choreographed, with their emotions and actions fleshing out characters that are easy to sympathise with.

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