| In Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead, Ibn Fadlon is an ambassador to the Sultan of Baghdad who has returned from northern Europe in 922 AD. In a manuscript, he recounts his travels through a strange and savage land. He is repulsed by the lack of civilized customs among the barbarian hordes he encounters. He describes their crude ways in all manner of activities from eating and drinking, to having sex or honoring the deceased. Eventually, he finds aspects of their courage and skill to admire. He meets a roaming band of Viking warriors and their leader Buliwyf whose adventures are cut short as they are brought back to defend their village against the wendol, a tribe of horrifying primitive creatures. The wendol are ferocious cannibal “eaters of the dead”. Eventually, the Norsemen must face the “monsters of the mist” in a fight to the finish.
The novel was made into the movie The 13th Warrior starring Antonio Banderas. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - scarey (primal ax-wielding fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Horror story? Yes Horror plotlets - the monster chased me! Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 10 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 40 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - an entire race Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - super strength How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Terrain Earth setting: - general past Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - very explicit references to deaths and torture Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - orgies - impregnation/reproduction How much dialogue? - little dialog |
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