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Russell Kirkpatrick

ラッセル・カークパトリック

Rassuru Kākupatorikku

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1961 （Christchurch, New Zealand）
Nationality
New Zealand
Languages
English
Residence History
Christchurch, New Zealand (1961-1999) → Hamilton, New Zealand (1999-2014) → Canberra, Australia (2014-present)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, geography lecturer, mapmaker, photographer
Active Years
1991-2024
Affiliations
University of Waikato, University of Canberra
Nominations
Sir Julius Vogel Award 2022 (Silent Sorrow shortlisted)

Education

University of Canterbury
Geography
Degree: PhD
Year of Graduation: 1991
Country: New Zealand

Awards

Montana Book Awards
1998
Work: New Zealand Historical Atlas
Category: readers' choice
Result: winner
Sir Julius Vogel Award
2008
Work: Path of Revenge
Category: best novel (adult)
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand
Result: winner
Sir Julius Vogel Award
2009
Work: Dark Heart
Category: best novel (adult)
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand
Result: winner
Sir Julius Vogel Award
2010
Work: Beyond the Wall of Time
Category: best novel (adult)
Organization: Science Fiction and Fantasy Association of New Zealand
Result: winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Across the Face of the World

2004 Fantasy

First book in the Fire of Heaven trilogy. Best-selling fantasy novel in Australia in 2004.

adventureworld-building

In the Earth Abides the Flame

2005 Fantasy

Second book in the Fire of Heaven trilogy.

The Right Hand of God

2006 Fantasy

Final book in the Fire of Heaven trilogy.

Path of Revenge

2006 Fantasy

First book in the Husk (Broken Man) trilogy. Winner of 2008 Sir Julius Vogel Award.

Dark Heart

2008 Fantasy

Second book in the Husk trilogy. Winner of 2009 Sir Julius Vogel Award.

Beyond the Wall of Time

2009 Fantasy

Final book in the Husk trilogy. Winner of 2010 Sir Julius Vogel Award.

Silent Sorrow

2020 Fantasy

First book in the Book of Remezov trilogy. Shortlisted for 2022 Sir Julius Vogel Award.

Bibliography

  • Across the Face of the World
  • In the Earth Abides the Flame
  • The Right Hand of God
  • Path of Revenge
  • Dark Heart
  • Beyond the Wall of Time
  • Silent Sorrow
  • New Zealand Historical Atlas
  • Degrees of Deprivation in New Zealand: An Atlas of Socioeconomic Difference
  • Contemporary Atlas of New Zealand
  • Rural Canterbury, Celebrating its History
  • Walk to Waterfalls

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Detailed world-building with mapsStrong dark fantasy elements
Recurring Motifs
maps and journeysobsession and collection

Legacy

Prominent New Zealand fantasy novelist and mapmaker. Three-time winner of the Sir Julius Vogel Award for best novel (adult category). Also lectures at university.

Quotes

  • I'm probably a little more obsessive than most. I have this pet theory that there's a common link between my love of maps and the fact that I'm an obsessive Lego collector, a computer programmer, and a science-fiction fantasy lover.
    Source: Howard Keene interview (1999)

Trivia

  • In the 1990s, noted for having New Zealand's largest Lego collection.
  • Authored a book on New Zealand waterfalls, favorite being Marokopa Falls.