Figures in a Landscape is a gripping, high-stakes survival thriller first published in 1968. The novel follows two prisoners of war who escape captivity and must traverse a harsh, unfamiliar landscape while being relentlessly pursued by a helicopter. The story unfolds with relentless tension as the fugitives, stripped of almost everything, rely on their instincts, endurance, and sheer willpower to survive. Barry England’s sparse, intense prose immerses readers in their desperate flight, capturing both the physical and psychological toll of their struggle.

Why Read This Book

• Relentless Tension: A fast-paced chase novel filled with suspense and psychological depth.

• Minimalist, Hard-Hitting Prose: England’s writing style is direct and powerful, emphasizing survival at its rawest.

• Exploration of Human Resilience: A study of endurance, fear, and the will to live in extreme conditions.

• Timeless Themes: Questions authority, control, and the struggle for freedom in a hostile world.

• Comparison to Classic Survival Thrillers: Often likened to The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Deliverance by James Dickey.

About the Author

Barry England (1932–2009) was a British playwright and novelist best known for Figures in a Landscape, which was shortlisted for the inaugural Booker Prize in 1969. Though primarily a playwright, his novel remains a cult classic, praised for its unrelenting pace and psychological intensity.