Shardik by Richard Adams Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shardik
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: 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 moving, strange, fantasy unlike anything you've read
Summary: 4 Stars
Richard Adams followed up the success of his animal fable, "Watership Down," with this epic fantasy novel. However, you couldn't have imagined a more different novel from "Watership Down." This is a very stark, mature, and philosophical fantasy work that explores the nature of religion, human interpretations of god, and the sacrifices and compromises of a war fought for supposedly idealistic causes. With the exception of a disappointingly tepid finale, this is an astonishing, absorbing novel that deserves rediscovery. I promise, you haven't read fantasy like it before. Without magic, fantastic monsters, or any overt supernatural occurrences, Adams sweeps the reader into a world of brilliant imagination -- the mark of a great fantasy."Shardik" occurs in a hidden world with a hint of the ancient Middle East. A great bear appears to the hunter Kelderek of the simple Ortelgan people. Kelderek declares that the bear is Shardik, a messenger of God, and soon the Ortelgan people rise to "follow" Shardik (who must often be coerced or drugged into fulfilling prophecies) to wage war against the mighty city of Bekla. Kelderek finds himself as the high priest of the great bear, but also learns the heavy responsibilities, and eventually, the doubts and fears.
The novel is filled with war, a strange romance, bizarre and frightening new lands, and violent shifts in the story that rise from the heights of spiritual victory to the depths of slavery. Adams's prose is beautiful and inspiring. Unfortunately, after many excitement moments throughout the book, the lengthy last chapter sputters to a conclusion and probably should have been left out. Regardless, "Shardik" is a fantasy of great scope that leaves the reader with much to ponder.
This new edition comes with a thoughtful introduction by author Robert Silverberg.
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: 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.