ndoubtedly, one of the most exciting new Australian authors of late is Sydney-Sider Matthew Reilly, whose three books have become best sellers...eventually. Matthews next novel, titled 'Area 7', is set to become an equal to its previous releases, if not better - More anticipated than his previous titles, there's a lot riding on Matthew's ability to better his previous works, as well as battling the preconceptions about 'popular fiction', which his work has been categorised as.

It was with some delight to myself, then, that Matthew Reilly would be making a public appearance and reading at the Sydney Writer's Festival, on the morning of May 17. The weeklong event would actually feature several appearances by Matthew, but this one would be special - in the lead up, it was revealed that at this reading, Matthew would deliver a segment of his upcoming release 'Area 7'!

Matthew was scheduled to appear at the Bengerra Mezzanine on Wharf 4/5, a short walking distance from the south side of the Harbour Bridge. The long wharf has long since been turned into a cultural event centre, as it also plays host to an Aboriginal Dance company. However, the location had been fully fitted out for the Writer's Festival, complete with amphitheatres, a small Dymocks book shop, and at least two Cafe's selling drinks to yuppies and culture types alike...it was here that I was unsure of how Reilly's writing style of violent action and outrageous stunts would be received by this crowd...!

Seated in the Mezzanine, with a complete and beautiful view of the Sydney Harbour - Luna Park on the opposite side - with a sun filled sky - the surroundings seemed to be a far cry from the pieces I'd be about to hear! It was therefore greatly pleased when Matthew took a seat at the front of the room behind a podium, and was chordially introduced, as well as a short background being given, by the compere. The atmosphere of the room was appropriate for a reading - no more than thirty or so - and Matthew was at ease.

Matthew announced that before reading, he had two pieces that were not his own work to read out. The first was a review of his first title, 'Contest', by a major Sydney Newspaper. The review was less than glowing of his work. There were chuckles around the room, and smiles shared by Matthew himself, at each embellished critique put on his work by the reviewer.
The second piece he read was far more appraising. It was an e-mail from a 14 year old boy, telling Matthew about his aversion to books until discovering Matthew's titles, and promptly reading all three quickly and repeatedly. Reilly's point was made with the crowd, and he commented on whether he should send that e-mail to the reviewer...

Reilly then gave his first proper reading. Delivering a short introduction, he proceeded onto a reading from 'Contest', giving a segment from the beginning of the story, where the thief, 'Frasier', is apprehended by the Security Guard 'Ryan' of the New York State Library. It was one of Reilly's more bluntly atmospheric and violent passages, and he later claimed on a web site about how involved he got into the reading...On the other hand, I'd say that Matthew gave an aptly paced delivery of his work, with the violence - a man being ripped apart by a giant monster - being received without any clear revulsion or annoyance by the crowd. Matthew commented good-naturedly that 'it always sounds different when you read it out loud'.

After this reading, Matthew told us that he would then give a reading of his upcoming release - the greatly anticipated (at least by myself anyway) 'Area 7'. The novel will be released in September, and as far as details, Matthew told us that it would be a sequel to his title 'Ice Station', featuring the hero from the original story, United States Marine Shane Schofield. In this story, Schofield has been assigned to protect the President on a Area-51 style facility in the desert in America. Upon the President's inspection, the doors of the facility, designed to withstand a Nuclear blast, seal the President within. Thus it is up to the President, as well as Schofield, to get him out.

Reilly told us that this passage that he would read would be set some time into the book, and featured the following scenario. The President is in the cockpit of the experimental XR-7 Space Shuttle with Schofield and a small boy named 'Kevin'. The Space Shuttle sits on the end of the runway at Area 7. It seems that all three of these people are suited in Space Suits, or at least the President is. However, locked out of the cockpit are the shuttles pilots, and the villainous men of 'Echo Unit' - official bad guys of the story. They are apparently eager to get into the cockpit of the shuttle, and to capture the President and Kevin. To cap this off, hovering in front of the Space Shuttle is the 'Penetrator' Helicopter, crewed by three men of Echo Unit.

With his details firmly established, Reilly began this reading. Those men in the back of the shuttle are demanding Schofield give them the President and Kevin. The Penetrator helicopter, too, orders over the radio for the President and Kevin to be sent out of the top hatch of the Shuttle. Schofield comes up with an idea for himself, the President and Kevin to escape. He searches through the cockpit for a metallic, two foot cylinder - and finds it. He orders the President and Kevin to unstrap themselves from their seats and to be ready to climb out the top hatch of the shuttle. The Penetrator Helicopter instructs them that if the President and Kevin are not sent out immediately the shuttle would be destroyed. In the rear of the shuttle, Echo Unit has begun using a blow torch to cut its way into the cockpit.
Schofield sends the President and Kevin out of the Shuttles top hatch, but straps himself firmly in a seat in the cockpit, gripping the cylinder. The President and Kevin make a safe distance away from the Shuttle. The Penetrator thanks Schofield and fires a sidewinder missile on the shuttle anyway.

Schofield acts fast. He pulls the ejection lever on his seat, and sends himself shooting out from the cockpit. The Sidewinder Missile strikes the Shuttle and blasts it into pieces, killing the bad guys inside. The crew of the helicopter look on as Schofield sores to a level height with them and activates a switch on the cylinder - its a missle launcher, kept in a Space Shuttles survival kit in the event the shuttle comes down in enemy territory. It must be noted that the crowd listening gave another chuckle at this revelation. Not to mention Matthew himself, almost trying to keep a straight face! The missile strikes the helicopter, and Schofield floats safely to the ground next to the President and Kevin.

Ordinarily, such an outrageous scene would have been received rather dubiously by the crowd there - however, they accepted it with good spirit, and I for one was suitably impressed - it had his style stamped all over it. He was then applauded for his 15 minute reading, originally scheduled as only 5 minutes, as he returned to his seat. Two fans - myself included - went to get their copies of 'Temple' signed, whilst the next speaker, a German concerning himself about his rather disturbing toiletry habits as a teenager, gave their reading. I for one would have liked to have stayed (Not for the German) so as to hear any words Matthew may have had to say with the people after the readings were complete. Alas, limited time forced me to leave early, with the happy experience in my mind and a newly signed copy of 'Temple' in my hands...

Eamon Hamilton

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