Shardik by Richard Adams
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Book Reviews of Shardik
Book Review: A wonderful novel that will stand the test of time
Summary: 5 Stars
I just completed a re-read of my old yellowed, limp paperback of Richard Adams' SHARDIK, and am delighted to report that it impressed me even more than I had remembered from the first time around--about 30 years ago. I'm older now. I'd known little tragedy on the first reading. Now in my 70s, I've experienced my parents' deaths, the helplessness of a brilliant, bipolar husband's collapse, and the past eight years of horrors created by my own government. SHARDIK is now not only nightmarish, but much more real.
Others have described the loving details, the deep characterizations, the plot lines that seem (like the development of a Mozart symphony) both completely original yet inevitable. Anyone who thinks torture is "useful" needs to read this book, yet it is more a deep study of the perils of fanaticism and rewards of a faith based on reality--which appeals to me, a devout Unitarian Universalist--than a political polemic of secular national identity. Adams gives us a society combining elements of Neolithic-Bronze Age-Iron Age political and economic structures, emerging gradually from theocracy into a tyrant-dominated, sexist, slave-worked city-state ethos. Not a good culture, but with good people in it.
The only dubious notion in the book is that any nation or minor empire of this period would EVER have been willing, on their own, to give up slavery even temporarily--especially people who lack draft horses and mules. I'm a historian and have trouble thinking of any society that ended slavery and/or serfdom until maintaining a high level of business morality based on conscience, plus enough industrialization to enable the economics to exist without involuntary servitude. In fact, no society today, including that of the U.S.--with an estimate of 55,000 hidden slaves in 2001--is entirely free of the taint.
But if you accept that single unlikely element, the story is absolutely marvelous. It's over 600 pages long and I could scarcely put the book down. Adams' approach to writing seems much closer to that of Gene Wolfe than of Tolkien, although there are good reasons for comparing him to both. All three share the detailed world-building, the sure-handed Jungian use of universal myth and legend, an emotional sine curve from despair and violence into physical and ethical redemption, prose that often goes beyond poetry to the level of psalm and elevates the reader to a startling epiphany. All three can really write.
But Tolkien was not the master of in-depth human character that Adams or Wolfe are. There are no Orcs and High Elves in Adams and Wolfe, only a recognition that both demon and angel dwell within each of us. Anyone who likes SHARDIK would do well to read Wolfe's BOOK OF THE NEW SUN, a compilation of connected, evolving stories which are themselves works of art as well as religiously allegorical quests. If you do, don't overlook the often-forgotten sequel or "coda", THE URTH OF THE NEW SUN. Then go on to Wolfe's other works. You'll be pleased.
Book Review: magnificent
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading its prequel, "Maia," I've rediscovered Adams' spectacular "Shardik." Both novels are set in Adams' fictitious but meticulously-created Beklan empire. As a devotee of this fantasy world, I was rather disappointed with "Maia," but this has made the return to "Shardik" all the more rewarding.
Adams' writing in this work shows him at the pinnacle of his art. All of the skill of "Watership Down" comes through in a story that is both a great story in itself and a remarkable allegory for its readers' lives. Kelderek Zenzuata, the humble fisherman from backwater Ortelga, finds himself chosen as a vessel of the Power of God. What he chooses to do with this knowledge gives us searing insight into the human condition: using power as a tool, letting ambition get ahead of wisdom. Kelderek abuses the power he is given, and abuses the God he claims to worship as he takes the great bear Shardik in chains to Bekla. (Previous reviewers have commented on the never-resolved question of whether Shardik actually is the Power of God or just a bear - I agree that this is one of the things that makes the novel so powerful.) Adams does make it clear that the characters in the story are subordinate to a power above themselves, though whether Shardik is that power or only its instrument is unclear.
The events leading up to the end are shocking, in some cases disturbing, and always compelling. Adams leaves his readers wanting to linger in the world he has created, and considering what the story says about themselves.
Book Review: Another Excellent Adventure from Richard Adams
Summary: 5 Stars
Finally finished this the other day. The third book by Richard Adams I've read. The other two: Watership Down and Plague Dogs, and my second favorite of the three behind WD (yeah, yeah, yeah - it's hard to shake the nostalgia of this one going way back to my youth). I read somewhere that Richard Adams considers Shardik his best work, and I can see that, as it is a rousing and well-rounded adventure that covers all the bases. The third act was superb, always the sign of a great anything - the 'third act', I couldn't put it down at that point.
It's an adventure/journey type story that takes a person from humble beginnings and then throws him to the wind and powers much greater than himself and he travels across the world and experiences great highs and lows and then in the end it all comes together to make sense and the effect of which gives his life meaning, his purpose, much from the past transgressions that in turn shape his view of the future to come. In a way, the hero comes full circle through his trials and deeds. Great book, better even than Salmond Rushdie's Midnight's Children which I read before this - although it is a powerful and visionary book as well.
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 5 Stars
Richer, grander, intensely more rewarding than "Watership Down", at least for an adult. This and "The Plague Dogs" are must-read novels.
The civilation Mr. Adams has created here, the adventure and suspense, the human folly and tragedy, and once again the peculiar and astounding emotional force Mr. Adams has in writing from the point of view of an animal--in this case a bear--absolutely must be experienced.
By the way, this is a human story -- I mistakenly thought it would be another story told from the point of view from an animal.
There are dead spots, and the ending drags a bit, but this is a very powerful and gut-wrenchingly emotional tale--for adults.
This is the third book I have now read by this author after "Watership Down" and "The Plague Dogs", and I think this is my favorite, though "Plague Dogs" is amazing too. Most people probably won't explore much beyond "Watership Down", and that's a shame, and actually the reason why I am writing this -- to encourage more people to go further.
In any case, I know I need to seek out more of his novels for myself.
Book Review: Adams keeps his legend alive...
Summary: 5 Stars
I found Shardik to be one of the most deeply moving books that I have ever read. Adams has continued to amaze me with his powerful works and his ability to make the reader feel as if he is one with the story.The story of Shardik and his devoted followers is enough to make anone rethink his/her passion for his/her own religion, as Adams has portrayed the dangers and the sacrfices that can follow from having an undying and overwhelming passion. We witness the voyage of Kelderek "Plays with children" from lowly hunter to worshipped royalty then once again to the lowest of the low.Its is from his voyage that we learn the true importance of faith and how cruel the human species can truly be because of it.
Hidden within Sardik there is a deep and important meaning hidden within the words of this book that can truly move the reader when discovered.
Adams has proven time after time that he is one of he most skilled writers of this century, and along with Watership Down and the Plague Dogs, Shardik will continue to live on through its readers for generatons.