Shardik by Richard Adams
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Book Reviews of Shardik
Book Review: Iniciation
Summary: 4 Stars
I read Shardik when I was 14 years old (now I am 40). It was the first book that introduce me to the mistery of live. Of violence, acceptation, divinity in a new way than I did not knew etc. In those times, I choose book by the history, not by the author. And hopely I did the good choice. The book is still with me. I suppose that any teenager (more male) will like it.Book Review: interesting
Summary: 4 Stars
I read Watershipdown by Richard Adams and wanted to read more of his books. If you liked Watershipdown you will probably like this one too.Book Review: A lumbering tale that might be too much to bear?
Summary: 3 Stars
The saga of Kelderek, the bear priest/king is a blend of seemingly mythic, significant encounters and a naturalistic narrative. The only fantasy element in this overlong tale is the setting, and it is indeterminate, though Robert Silverberg's Introduction to the 2002 edition seems to favor an Ancient Near East milieu. (Silverberg also claims to find Christian overtones in the story; he is mistaken)
The strongest elements of fantasy are fused with the religious cult of the island of Quiso where "The Tuginda" presides over a number of female devotees who invest themselves in Shardik the bear as a manifestation of God. Off the island, though, the magic isn't put to the same effect that unnerved its male visitors in the first part of the novel. The priestesses are simply present for Shardik in his cage in Bekla or are adepts at preparing medicinal potions when injuries occur.
One problem with the fantasy of Shardik is that some of its characters strike us as contemporary in their behavior, e.g. Elleroth and Siristrou. In a world of charged with mystery, the supernatural, and the wildness of nature, their world-wise ways are a jarring presence in the story. Think of the ubiquitous British actors in the run-of-the-mill roles of Roman officials in Bible movies and you'll get the picture.
Another problem for me was the loss of the sense of place once Kelderek left the revolt in Bekla to search for the escaped Shardik. Adams stopped using the helpful maps that buttressed the story up to the arrival in Bekla. Despite, or because of, the mention of various rivers, towns and mountains, I grew disoriented as the novel galumphed along for another 300 pages through Adams' landscape. And don't even get me started on the growing cascade of bewildering character names: Ta - Kominion; Tan-Rion; Siristrou, son of Balko, son of Mereth of the Two Lakes, etc.
Adams is, however, capable of some good stretches of writing, as in the opening chapters of the book devoted to the forest fire and the meeting of Kelderek and Shardik. The battle of the Foothills is also compellingly written. But I cannot help suspect that Adams, the middle-aged British civil servant, had stored up an overabundance of narrative that, in his 50s and with the runwaway success of Watership Down, he could not resist effusing. This IS a 600 page book and many other parts unspool at a plodding pace, such as Kelderek's protracted march through the streets of Kabin, a smallish frontier town, to banishment where we sense each faltering footstep through the dusty streets. The five pages this took could've been handled in a paragraph or two.
However, readers who manage to stay alert through this sprawling tale will appreciate Adams' full-circle device of a story that ignites in a fire also ends there as a kind of summary. Siristrou the ponderer of metaphysics and ethical matters, "sees" dreamily the events of the preceding story in the dancing flames of the fire in his room - a nice touch, even if the circuit took 600 pages to complete.
Book Review: A book worth reading
Summary: 3 Stars
I would have liked this book more, had it focused entirely on the religious/mythical theme, especially on the question whether Shardik is a natural or supernatural creature; this aspect of the story is very well crafted. But unfortunately Adams tried to pack into the book a lot of extra luggage, as for example a panoramic and not too successful view of the inhabitants of the land; or a moralistic and sociological message awkwardly embodied in the figure of the giant bear. The portion that deals with Genshed is overdone and excessively grim; the final chapters are too melodramatic and preachy. However the novel contains some truly powerful and haunting scenes, like the Streels of Urtah and the Foothills battlefield.
In sum, this was a book worth reading.
Book Review: Bear or agent of God?
Summary: 3 Stars
Richard Adams next effort, after the wonderful 'Watership Down', attempts to transfer the sweep and mythos of that book to a human arena with mixed results. A huge bear fleeing a forest fire stumbles into a poor backward island of Ortelga and is proclaimed to be an agent of God heralding a return to fortune for Ortelga. The book starts promisingly, but loses its sense of mystery and myth after a third of the story (after the conquest of Bekla). Adams has interesting points to make, mainly how a religion can be corrupted with even the best intentions. But its not done well enough to sustain the story...