Shardik by Richard Adams Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Shardik
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...
Book Review: Brace yourself.
Summary: 4 Stars
In the tradition of "Watership Down," Adams has created a gripping story that, while seemingly detached from our usual sphere of experience, manages to address a number of important social issues. His excellent storytelling ability paints a (mostly) barreling saga of religion perverted for human use and a king's morally questionable policies gone awry. I loved the beginning and end of the book (it was in these sections that the action was most intense) but the middle was so dense I literally slogged through it. Adams' heavy philosophical tangents, intensely long and convoluted metaphors, and pages-on-end introspections by the principal character often bring the storyline to a complete halt. Still, if you have the necessary willpower to finish the book (I had to start it four times before I actually finished it), you won't be disappointed.
Book Review: Gritty and perhaps a little strange, but more believable than most fantasy titles.
Summary: 5 Stars
This book touches at the spirit. At the heart of the book's theme, is the question: "how much are we willing to do for the sake of our beliefs?". The prose is excellent, the pacing is good and most importantly, the writing seems natural and fluid. Adams seems to have that rare talent of letting a story run seemingly, on its own free will. Adam has created great characters like Shardik and Kelderek, without settling for predictable character building.
It's a great book that I recommend to anyone.
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: Not Free SF Reader
Summary: 3 Stars
Ursine avatars can be a bit tedious.
Shardik being that avatar in the religion of the native people, and more particularly, the native character that this book is about. He convinces people of this really big bear's religious significance. This gets him a position of religious power, and what do people often do with that? Yep, want to go and do a bit of that large scale killing war stuff.
It isn't all quite that simple though for the main guy as his attitude changes throughout.