The White Mountains

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Three Against The World - Rated
The White Mountains is the first book of the classic 'Tripods' trilogy by John Christopher. Set over one hundred years into the future, life is more reminiscent of the Eighteenth Century, as people live in small communities, stripped of the technological advances their ancestors once enjoyed; and all this because the world is now ruled by the Tripods, massive insect-like machines that stalk the earth.

Fourteen-year-old Will Parker has witnessed every year the coming of the Tripod, whose purpose is to perform the annual Capping ceremony on those boys and girls who have come of age. The Cap, a silvery mesh which is woven into the bald head of those who receive it (the recipient's hair grows through and around the mesh in time, obscuring it from view) is said to symbolise one's crossing the threshold into adult life. But that summer, when Will's cousin Jack is Capped, the boy begins to suspect that the ritual serves a much more sinister purpose.

After having their suspicions confirmed by an un-Capped travelling messenger, Will, his other cousin Henry, and their friend Jean-Paul decide to embark on a perilous journey to the distant White Mountains (the Alps), where other free-thinkers have gathered in defiance of the enemy. Together, the three boys travel through a decimated Paris, before stopping off at Le Chateau de la Tour Rouge, where Will falls in love with the beautiful Eloise - but a turn of events leave him heartbroken and more determined than ever to destroy earth's rulers.

The boys wonder (as does the reader) what the Tripods actually are: intelligent machines made by the ancestors, or vehicles carrying alien beings? More importantly: Why are they here? What are their plans for the future of humankind? In the meantime: Will the young adventurers make it to the safety of the mountains?

The two sequels, The City of Gold and Lead and The Pool of Fire, are tremendous supplements as our heroes discover the truth about the enemy and strive to overthrow them. Those of you who remember the BBC's adaptation for grape picking and circuses, don't be put off reading the original trilogy. It's not without reason that the blurb describes it as "almost unbearably exciting".

The White Mountains is the perfect opener.