If the
dear reader has spent any amount of time in Southeast Asia, or read about the
cultures existing there, they will be aware of the prayer flag. If one has been even luckier and able to
travel to the Tibetan Himalayas, they will have wonderful memories of the
strings and strings of colorful flags stretched across valleys, hanging from
bridges, and flapping in the wind atop mountains. Prayers inscribed on each flag, they believe
the words of mankind are blown to the heavens for blessings and protection from
the gods. Employing a similar scenario
in in his 1985 Kiteworld, Keith
Roberts extends the Christian church steeple into the sky: manned kites fly
above an England rebuilding in the aftermath of destruction. The perspective downward rather than upward,
however, the colorful objects sent aloft are for watching over the land rather
than bringing humanity closer to the heavens.
The land
ravaged, and civilized society only beginning to rebuild itself, the setting of
Kiteworld is a futuristic,
post-nuclear war England wherein the Church has absolute power. Though berms and walls are established that
separate normal society from the wilds, it is not enough; protection is also
needed against the demons that roam the badlands and traverse the skies. Establishing bases along mountain ranges and
the coastlines which form natural boundaries, massive manned kites are kept
flying continually aloft, watching for invaders and shooting them, as
necessary. Aristocracy getting
permission from the Church to fly kites from their own palaces and mansions,
colorful streamers can also be seen amongst the towns, villages, and cities. And the kitemen, no matter working in the
private sector or directly for the church, are given exclusivity and absolute
respect by the populace. Like soldiers,
they are considered guardians of the land, and due to the uncertainty of their
lives, awarded with admiration, even hero status. Tossed on the currents of wind and facing
evil demons, indeed many meet an untimely end.
Law, taxes, civil government, and other aspects of civilization slowly
settling back into place as the Kitemen guard over the land, Kiteworld tells the stories of a handful
of the men and women living the uncertain reality of post-war times.
