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DART BOOKS at AtlasBooks®: |
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DART BOOKS at AtlasBooks®: |
In the Spotlight: Author Alfred John Dalrymple of Dart Books Writing both plays and novels, Alfred has chosen exotic Nepal as his focus in several of his books. Perhaps Nepal is the perfect location for a novel of adventure and intrigue, if based solely on its history of oppression and revolution alone, but according to Alfred, who has traveled extensively to this troubled country, "The tenor of Nepal is the same as man's tenor everywhere...and that is "I am better than you". As to institutions, those "lower than" are the masses...oppressed by caste and the corrupt government it fosters." Nepal is one of a handful of developing countries where people are segregated legally, socially and culturally by a caste system, and where the current government has yet to permit lower caste Nepalis from owning property. Alfred has traveled in and out of Nepal some nine times in the last thirteen years, and his compassion for the plight of the Nepalese people is clear. Although he hopes readers will find the deeper meaning within his stories, his characters are genuine and scenarios based on relationships with real people and places amidst a state of revolution and political unrest that is very real for many Nepalese. Originally from New Hampshire, Alfred was educated at the University of New Hampshire and Columbia University. He traveled throughout Europe while in the Army and eventually settled in Alaska where in addition to writing, he taught grades 5-12 for three years. Since then he has spent time as a halibut fisherman, a Parks Manager, and even a rough carpenter. He has traveled Asia extensively since 1990, and his character's adventures take place on the very trails he has hiked, seven times from Mt. Everest to Jiri, and from China to Thailand. With the current strong warnings for Americans traveling to the region somewhat of a concern, Alfred's awareness of the area and its terrorist activity will likely dictate whether he will be visiting Nepal, but his Nepalese friends can look for him in early 2005. Alfred mentioned that he has always felt safe there, but may have to limit his Asia trip to Shanghai, China and safer areas. Inside Titles from Alfred John Dalrymple... "...proper justice acknowledges equality which depends on recognition of the innocent sameness at the center of us all..." Of the four titles he has published to date, his first book, Meadowbrook Under Thunder and Wind (1999) is clearly his favorite, although he feels that his writing has improved since its first publication (a revised 2nd Edition is forthcoming) which includes a two-part play. Part one includes "the string theory," ground of being, universal awareness, divinity, fate and the soul. Part two is titled, "The Inn of the Seventh Sorrow." Alfred's second title, A Wind Under Heaven, came out in 2001, and provides the reader with an accurate view of Nepal and her general atmosphere, with which the reader can attain a better sense of the caste system in place, and the reasons she is so ripe for revolution and terrorism. Beginning in New York City, American Jim Bart arrives in Nepal. Speaking of change, a sea of Nepalis follow him through the streets. Chaos ensues and while several Nepalese die, Jim is sought for execution by the Nepalese government. In "Murder in the Highest Places", Oliver Faulkner is in Nepal and is being pursued by a murderer. Oliver goes to Changri La (La meaning "Pass")...pronounced Shangrila. So...also the murderer goes to Shangrila, or "the top" of the journey." Alfred also stated he felt his last book, Where Deaf People Sing, devotes necessary time to address the differences between the terrorist and the revolutionary, each easily lost in the gray area of brutality. Told through the eyes of Elf Whitmore, who follows terrorism to Alaska, China, and finally to Nepal, where he watches revolution rise to desperate levels to counter government brutality. To read more about the books by Alfred Dalrymple, visit
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Since publishing his first title in 1999, author Alfred John Dalrymple has gone on to write and publish a total of five books found here at AtlasBooks. I contacted Alfred over the holidays at his home in a remote village on the Aleutian Island chain off the Alaskan coast, where he is currently writing, shoveling loads of snow, and planning another trip to Asia in early 2005. We had a chance to cover some of his varied interests and future plans. 
