This brilliantly inventive fantasy epic by the award-winning author of Watership Down immerses the reader in a medieval world complete with created languages detailed maps & elaborate traditions & rituals 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 & ruler of an empire A gripping tale of war adventure morality & slavery horror & romance Shardik is a remarkable exploration of mankind's universal desire for divine incarnation & the corrosive influence of power Recently ranked in the top 100 bestsellers over the past 40 years by the Sunday times Shardik is a book for our age