Official Book Club Thread 02/09/04Follow

Ok, I see a couple of interesting things here from the first few chapters. First of all, I see a classic "hero's journey" developing. The main character is young, mostly alone and will eventually be forced to confront an evil or a seemingly overwhelming power in order to advance from young innocent to hero. I like that. Hero tales have a great long history and have wonderful values to teach young readers, such as courage, strength and faith in oneself. Eragon embodies these qualities from the get-go. He braves the cold and the mountains, he finds the mysterious stone, he provides for his family. Another interesting point of note is that, like many hero characters from literary history, Eragon is bound closely with nature. "His favorite item was a root so convoluted he never tired of looking at it," is just one of the textual examples of his bond with things natural. That he is an accomplished woodsman is another. Interesting that the writer would have him hunting a deer at the beginning because this action provides nice insight into the type of person Eragon is. He struggles internally but is shown to be a young man of determination and responsibility.

I see a lot of similar thematic trends here as can be found in Lord of the Rings or similar books of this ilk. There is a main character, very close to nature and an innocent soul, just like Frodo or Sam, and a mysterious, brooding and powerful central inanimate object (the stone) that will likely prove to be a major crux in the action. I wonder how clearly the author will delineate good vs. evil in the plot, as so often happens in hero tales.

I am also enjoying the development of a discussion of politics and government interspersed with the dramatic action of the plot. Eragon embodies the voice of the youth, rising up against the old guard.

I am enjoying it so far. I am really impressed that such a young person could write a novel like this. I would be delighted if any of the university students I see everyday could write like this!



Edited, Tue Feb 10 15:56:42 2004 by Tare

Sorry Katie, I couldn't resist!

Ok finished the book yesterday. Couldnt put it down, even at work.

For being 18, the Author knows how to keep the reader turning pages. some things were easy to deduce from the forshadowing and some suprised me when things were revealed. all in all a great book and i cant wait for the next one to come out. I see Eragon doing many wonderfull things in the second and third installments of this series.

Well I am too cheap to buy a hardcover by un unknown (to me) author, when I wasn't too fond of the sample chapter I read, so I will wait for the next book selection before I call anyone names (er...I mean discuss the book).

Must Read:

GRUNTS!

Can't quite remember who the author is, and I can't seem to find it on Amazon, but its an awsome and funny read. Imagine one of those huge battles between Good and Evil that always seem to crop up. Now imagine that you are on the side of evil. Now imagine that you are an Orc on the side of evil. Now imagine something as scary as an Orc Marine.

I laughed so hard I almost wet myself.