Review of Making History by K.J. Parker

I've not read K.J. Parker's oeuvre. But what I have read brings to mind the glossy national parks photobook sitting on the undershelf of your uncle's coffee table. Great to look at, inspiring even, but you walk away and forget. Making History, a 2025 novella, is the first Parker story I've read in years. Something that sticks?

Making History, as the title hints, tells of a group of scholars who, at the behest of their king Gyges, have been tasked with creating the ruins of a fictional society. Our main character is given the task of creating a language, while his colleagues each receive their own—art, money, artifacts, relics, ancient buildings, etc. Knowing that both success and failure will likely result in death, the unnamed main character sets about trying to build a metaphorical escape hole in his creation of language. But one day when he accidentally hears sailors dockside speaking the language he's creating, things twist weird.

K.J. Parker has, if anything, mastered cynical tone. His main character can cut anything down to size in as deftly indirect manner as possible—his king's wishes, his circumstances, even his own hopes of surviving the project. The metaphorical nature of his cynicism makes it even more so. Word by word, line by line, the novella is a barbed pleasure to read. The plot's climax likewise has its bits of jade, adding to the tone.

For readers who think based on the plot intro above that the theme of the novella is “winners write history”, think again. Rather, Making History does a good job pointing out something broader. I will not spoil things here, but I can say that Parker delivers a touch of nuance through the setup of artificial history. That being said, despite the manner in which Parker plays with theme like a cat plays with a mouse, he doesn't really sink his claws in or eat his kill. In line with his cynical tone, it's playful application of theme at best, drugs for contrarians at worst.

Which brings me to the conclusion: Making History is a clever confectionery. It's the glossy photobook. It's not going to take you to the national park, but its going to leave a good impression, make you feel good, which, in many ways, is the sign of a good story. You will walk away feeling entertained, just not sure if you'll ever plan the trip.