Book Review- The Wayfarer by Zachary Kekac
The Wayfarer only came to my attention after it was entered into SPFBO 9, and while it teased enough to catch my interest, I never expected it to pierce me through to my core with the ease that it did. On a base mechanical level, this is simply the story of a wandering man and the encounters he has along the way. But on a much more personal level, it is a philosophical portrait of humanity, and an astounding mediation on grief and suffering. I adore this book, and I’m so glad the author decided to share it with the world.
From beautiful landscapes to thrilling set pieces, The Wayfarer is a mystic and ethereal experience. Combing gorgeous prose with an inspired love for liminal spaces, Zachary Kekac brings to life a world that feels both familiar and otherworldly, and one that is at once ancient and ever-changing. I cherished the feeling of wanderlust that this story inspired, and frequently found myself getting joyfully lost in the many details of the setting; free to imagine myself walking besides the characters, sharing in the revelry.
While these elements heightened my enjoyment of Zach’s work, they serve only as the backdrop for a narrative that has, without understatement, left a powerful impression on me with its emotionally resonant storytelling. Full of musing on family, life transitions, memories and death, the writing is not afraid to tackle challenging topics like the debate between nature versus nurture, or the comprehension of grief in its entirety. I’ve read very few books that have struck me as intelligent without proselytizing, or knowledgable without arrogance, yet The Wayfarer achieves exactly that.
Oh, and did I mention that this has 2nd person narration? While it’s used sparingly, I was pleasantly taken aback by its presence. Not only is it exceptionally rare to come by these days, particularly in the fantasy genre, but it’s actually woven into the writing in a way that supports both character and plot development, rather than simply existing for the sake of being unique. While only a small consideration, it’s one of the many little joys that I found along my journey from cover to cover.
I can certainly see some people getting lost in the wordiness of the writing style, and the liberal use of proper nouns can easily overwhelm, especially as some are introduced without a clear explanation. It’s for these reasons, along with the heavy subject matter of the book, that would perhaps makes me hesitate giving this a blanket recommendation to just any fantasy reader. If you’re to meet The Wayfarer on the level it demands of you, then you have to be able to know when to pay attention and when to simply let go and accept what it wants you to see.
The reward for all of these caveats, in my humble opinion, is a story that is without rival or counterpart. I’m weird, and my taste in books tends to be weird too, but I genuinely believe that The Wayfarer is a book worth picking up. When I eventually look back on everything I’ve read in 2023, it will be difficult to imagine this one not ending up near the top.
