Richard Adams' cult classic, reissued with a new introduction from the author to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Enter a world of ferocious savagery, ‘Shardik’ was written after ‘Watership Down’ and on the surface is as different as different can be, there are no gentle rolling downs or talking animals to be found here. Lord Shardik is a huge brute of a bear, believed by the Ortelgan people to be sent from and contain the power of their God. Set over a number of years we follow the path of power as it changes, corrupts or enlightens the people it touches. The land, villages and towns are as much characters as any, the authors descriptions bring this unstable and harsh world to life. This is a weighty tome, the moral of the story isn't intrusive but does occasionally loiter in the background. An epic in every sense of the word, this is a book once finished, you may want to delve straight back into, so you can ponder, reflect and contemplate this commanding tale. ~ Liz Robinson
Centring on the long-awaited reincarnation of a giant bear among the half-barbaric Orelgan people, Shardik's appearance sets off a violent chain of events as faith in his divinity sweeps the land. Closest to the bear is the hunter Kelderek, a naturally pious, ignorant, well-meaning man who becomes - in his dedication to Shardik - a prophet, victorious soldier, corrupt priest-king and ruler of an empire.
'Striking enough to confirm Richard Adams as one of the most talented descriptive writers to emerge in this country for years.' The Times
'Recalls the imaginative scale of Lord of the Rings.' Financial Times
'Shardik is a powerful work, dipping deep into old forms - allegory, epic, myth - resonating in the caverns of the readers' unconscious
... It is an exciting story, the adventures compelling. Los Angeles Times
'Grips with suspense, haunts with mystery... a memorable work, not to be read once only but to be reread as loved books are... a human saga.' Wall Street Journal
Author
About Richard Adams
Richard Adams is the author of nineteen books, including the best-selling and award-winning Watership Down. He is 94 year olds and lives in Hampshire with his wife of over sixty years.