Legend

Barry Maher
Lindisfarne Books  (2002 )
ISBN 1584200081 
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/06) 


I really enjoyed reading “Legend.”  The story takes place some time in the future in a land that has been ravaged by man.  People struggle to survive among the ruins of a once advanced city.  People are basically classified into three groups:  the Bureauers, the Folkers, and the Disciples.  The Bureaurers are very much like people today who are involved in bureaucracy.  The stereotypes definitely apply here.  The Burearers believe that they are maintaining order by keeping the Folkers in a state of chaos where they have to worry more about basic survival than getting involved with what is happening in the government.  When the main hero, Martin, becomes a low level Bureaurer, he finds that he has become a part of a system that really doesn’t need him. He goes to work and is well fed, but he doesn’t seem to have a purpose.  The Folkers are what Martin was born into. These are the poor people that have to fight for food.  They will eat anything.  While they are not allowed to kill others to eat, they will eat their dead.  The Bureaurers see to it that the Folkers are provided with “poorage,” however, there isn’t always enough to go around. 

 The Disciples are people that are involved in a satantic-like cult.  They are waiting for the coming of Jefus.  He is supposed to save the world and make the machines that no longer function work again.  The leader of the Disciples, Kreeops, is supposed to step down when Jefus returns.  A Folker, Gena, is selected to be the bride of Jefus.  The leader of the Disciples wants her for himself.  She is forced into the cult and given training.  There are powers in both the cult and in Gena.  It appears that the greatest power of control comes from the beliefs of the people.  Their united beliefs cause things to happen.  Gena begins to realize this and uses this knowledge to her advantage.

It is believed that Martin is Jefus.  He has to go through three tests to prove this.  He doesn’t really believe this, but to survive he does what is necessary to prove this.  Along the way, he discovers the importance of the power of belief. He sees what Kreeops is doing to control the others.  He realizes that Kreeops true power comes from the faith of his disciples.  To win and to survive, he has to gain their faith in him.  He and Gena need to become gods to win their control.  Martin has to be crucified and resurrected to prove himself.

Along the way, Martin and Gena struggle to survive.  Sometimes, their adventures are with each other, other times they are off on their own.  Gena learns that there is more beyond the city limits than people realize.  Because of their fearful beliefs they have limited themselves to this existence.  If she and Martin can prove themselves, they can lead these people into a better way of life.

I found this story to be unnerving because I can see how our own society can become trapped by limited negative beliefs.  This could be our society someday. The people who choose to be in power, do it for control of the masses, not for wanting to make their world a better place.  
 
This is an excellent science fiction novel.  I truly believe that it is destined to be a classic.  As you read it, you are glad that it is only fiction and not reality.  However, it brought many questions to my mind that made me think, “what if?”  Due to the graphic nature of the story, I do not recommend it for young children.  However, I do recommend it to other science fiction fans and think that it would be an excellent choice for a reader’s group to discuss.

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