Customer Reviews

Quest for The Faradawn: Volume 1, In the Epic Faradawn Trilogy

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though this story seems to start off as a kind of modern English countryside Jungle Book, it grows by gentle steps into one of the most charming and poignant battles of Good and Evil in fantasy literature. The author's words flow like poetry and create impressions in the mind that do not fade.

The book which most comes to mind when reading Faradawn is Wind in the Willows, with the same combination of nearly musical writing and deep, involving characters. However, Faradawn is not a children's novel, but is more like Watership Down or the Plague Dogs. Indeed, the characters in their journeys face dark situations and a descent into the blackest situations possible before the thought-provoking resolution of the story. This is definitely one of the finest books of its kind ever written.

I read this book at age eighteen, and then read it to my younger brothers. It is an animal story, and a quest, complete with elves, but it is more, too. It shows how animals may view us, the supposed Protectors and Keepers of the earth, but the message is not hard to swallow. Filled with humor and sorrow, this book made a lasting impression on me, and will be a permanent part of my library. One drawback, I felt the ending was an odd change of pace. If you like this one, check out The Book of the Dun Cow.

My mother was given this book as a gift shortly after she gave birth to her first child (me). And she gave it to me to read as my first adult-chapter book when I was around 9. And it was the book that made me love fantasy. Its a fabulous story about a boy raised by forest creatures who is entrusted to save their lives. Contrary to several reviews I have seen that portray this as a book that only show how horrible humans are, in fact I think it just serves as a wake-up call. The humans have only one sort of representative, and that is the hunter, which is naturally evil to a forest of deer and pheasant; because the story is mainly about the animals themselves.

My favorite part, still, is the "Author's Note" at the end. When I was a child with a child's active imagination, it only fueled my fantasies. And even now, tho' I view it differently, I cannot help but be captured by the awe of such a possibility.

I've lent out our (now battered) copy of the book to many friends, and they have loved it as well. Each character is delightfully written, with personalities that everyone can understand and relate to. It is one of my favorite books of all time, even at 20, when, as an avid reader, I have read thousands of books in between.

'Quest for the Faradawn' has always had a special place in my heart, because around twenty years ago, I was lucky enough to be asked to illustrate Richard Ford's wonderful fantasy novel. At the time, I had just started out as a freelance illustrator and 'Faradawn' was the first book I illustrated. I even called my house 'Faradawn!'Back then, I was using the Welsh spelling of Owen ( Owain ), but have now reverted to 'Owen', since returning home to Australia in 1994. It's nice to know that the book still has a wide and faithful following, after all this time.
Sadly, I've lost touch with Richard, but will keep searching for him on the 'Net. I feel sure that one day our paths will cross again, as magically as they did all those years ago.

I first read this book as a child and have since reread it. The magic only deapens with age. I intend to read it again shortly. There are few books that can hold my interest at all stages of life. This is a treasure. Enjoy!

i was turned on to this book quite a few years ago. i don't know what i was expecting at the time, but i loved the book. as a displaced city, moved to the mountains girl, it was my fantasy come true. i do hunt and i could imagine the animals reacting the way they do and especially the domestic dog who would go in and warn the other animals about the men and their guns.
it has taken me a long time to track this down and i really hope there's one out there with my name on it.

i was turned on to this book quite a few years ago. i don't know what i was expecting at the time, but i loved the book. as a displaced city, moved to the mountains girl, it was my fantasy come true. i do hunt and i could imagine the animals reacting the way they do and especially the domestic dog who would go in and warn the other animals about the men and their guns.
it has taken me a long time to track this down and i really hope there's one out there with my name on it.

The book is a great fantasy. I love how some of the main characters are animals. This book is for anyone who loves nature, animals, adventure, and fantasy. The author writes so that the story becomes real and the main characters become your friends. The battle between good and evil is nicely done with great care. Just one question: is the 'Author's Note' at the end true? It makes you wonder. It's a great book.

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 that it is 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.

This beautiful fantasy has endured in my heart and imagination. I've read it several times since discovering it 10 years ago. Now I'm buying it so my children can enjoy it as well. It's an easy, enjoyable read. Artful storytelling, classic themes. One of those adventures that makes you long to be in the story.