Richard Ford (2) (1948–)

I read this book a long time ago, so only have hazy recollections of what actually happened in the plot, but I do remember that there was one thing about it that really bothered me. The main character - the boy that was raised by animals, was journeying across the country being followed by some nasty monsters. And, if I recall correctly, everyone who helped the boy was murdered by the nasty beings. It was terribly distressing and that fact has haunted me over the years that it has been since I read it. Thus, when my own novel looked to be taking a similar turn, I controlled the murderous tendencies of my villains.… (más)

Quest for the Faradawn - Richard Ford *****

I was given this book probably around 15 years ago by my father, and since then it has gathered dust until I came across it and decided to give it a try.

If I had to describe the novel I would say that it is a cross between The lord of the Rings and Watership Down (If I was cynical I would say a complete rip off of the two). The story is relatively simple, a newborn boy is left in the woods by his parents, he is found by Brock the Badger who takes him home. The child is named Nab and when the local animal council hold a meeting it is suggested that the prophecy of an ancient legend could be about to be fulfilled and Brock is entrusted with his upbringing. It is decided that Nab shall be taken to see the Elflord in order that his true identity be revealed. He is then sent on a journey to collect the Faradawn from the 2 other Elflords that will allow the elves to escape from the destruction of man via Ashgoroth. Complete with an elven history that even a Hobbit would be proud of, the background is set for what will be a great adventure. Expect magic, tragedy, folklore and comradeship as we follow Nab, Beth, Sam the dog, Brock the Badger, Perryfoot the Hare & Warrigail the Owl.

The only problem that I had with this book is that it seems to have been written in a style more suited to young teenagers and at times it struggled to keep my attention. However there are a number of different characters that just seem to do enough to stop you getting bored. Man is portrayed as pure evil in the novel creating wanton destruction wherever he goes, and there are a number of fairly graphic animal slayings. That is all very well, but at times the book was just very very preachy. I really don't need to be told umpteen times how nasty bloodsports can be and after the first dozen times I was sick of being beaten over the head with the same message. Also the plot has some glaringly obvious issues, for example all the animals are living together happily in the wood, but if fox is friend with rabbit, how the hell does fox survive? Or does Ford expect us to overlook these small matters?.....

Although this review seems a little harsh, I have to say that I enjoyed the book as a whole and if I come across the sequels will pick them up. I was thinking of awarding 4 and a half stars, but it is one of those tales that will always stay with me, and for that I will bump up the score to a 5, after all isn't it the point of all stories to make a lasting impression on the reader? This book got to me in the same way as Neville Shutes 'The Beach'.

The Author's Note at the end was quite strange, and while I would love it to be true..........

I suppose Ford has made me think of the way in which I regard nature, and more importantly, how would I like to think of myself? Urkku or Eldron?

Am I glad I read the book: Yes
Would I recommend it: Yes
Would I reread it: More than likely.… (más)

First published in the early 1980's this is blurbed as "A blend of Tolkein and Watership Down unfolded in masterly style".

This is a story of a badger who discovers a human baby in the wood; a legend says that he might be the saviour who will protect the animals from man so the animal community look after him until it is time for him to go on his quest. The boy, a few of his animal friends and a girl go in search of the Faradawn (3 items held by the leaders of the elves).

So to be fair to the blurb we have some elements from Tolkein and Adams but there is very little that is masterful here. This book is unsubtle and heavy handed in its message. The animal community is unrealistic and Richard Ford's book is an unrelenting message of man is bad and that animals are good. Some men recognise their own evil and become animal friends but most are destroyers who will end up destroying the whole world.

His use of language and description made the book readable. But I wish he had not been quite so graphic about some things (the pheasant shoot for example).

The ending is abrupt and the author's note at the end means that my rating dropped from a worth reading but only once 2.5 to a why did I bother 2 stars.… (más)

This book took me about 26 years to read! I bought it when it was new, and back then my reading speed was not what it is now. The book is 310 pages long in my edition, with fairly small print - which would not be so much if it were more engaging.

Back when it was new, I got fed up with the silly premise - a world of vegetarian animals where the only cold blooded killers are the vicious humans (usually, but not consistently, called Urkuu). The hero is an Urkuu child brought up by badgers and living in a bush in a woodland.

The premise is not really so terrible. I see it now. Child brought up by animals - that is an old story retold. The only killers are humans? well thats a bit silly, but you can run with it - it is fiction after all. But what lets this book down is its really rather slow. The boy, Nab, must go on a quest to collect the three Faradawn that must be brought together to save the animals from destruction. During the quest the world very suddenly and for no apparent reason falls apart, in a manner that would be more believable if it did not suddenly happen towards the end of the book.

I guess as a boy I just got bored of this book. I found it in the attic the other day and read it again from start to finish, but my life would have been no worse off had it remained in the attic.

So this is a reasonably good quest story with elves and badgers and foxes, dogs, owls, chickens - and nukes. Put it all together and its original enough to consider, but I cannot bring myself to recommend it.… (más)