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J.Elle's Reviews > Eragon
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle #1)
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I cannot adequately express my complete and utter loathing for this book. I was working at a library during the time that this book was being published and had access to a galley of the novel. I did finish it, but only so I could know (entirely how much) Christopher Paolini (the supposed 16-year-old author-genius) had plagiarized J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of The Rings" trilogy. If you are not familiar with the Inheritance books, allow me to inform you:
Lord of the Rings: Trilogy
Eragon: Trilogy
Lord of the Rings: a main character Aragorn
Eragon: main charactor Eragon
Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's love interest is Arwen (the daughter of an elf king)
Eragon: Eragon's love interest is Arya (the daughter of an elf king)
Lord of the Rings: bad flying things are Ringwraiths
Eragon: bad flying things are Ra'zac
Lord of the Rings: there is a big fight in the troll dungeons
Eragon: there is a big fight in the troll dungeons
I could continue...suffice it to say, after reading "Eragon" I classified it as "Lord of the Rings" with a dragon. This is definitely not worth anyone's time, unless you want to amuse yourself by noting how many similarities there are between the trilogies.
Addendum: WOW! Thanks for all the comments. This is, by far, my most popular review. I'm glad to know others share my feelings for this pitiful excuse of an imaginative novel.
Addendum 2: If you, like so many others in the comments, find fault with my apparent ignorance and wish to correct me regarding the fact that this series is not a trilogy, please see comment #53.
Addendum 3: I can't even. I just can't. Do you know how many people have commented on the fact that this isn't a trilogy since I added Addendum 2 SPECIFICALLY addressing that? I don't even know how many because I've lost count. What does this teach us? It teaches us that people don't read. Let that sink in.
Lord of the Rings: Trilogy
Eragon: Trilogy
Lord of the Rings: a main character Aragorn
Eragon: main charactor Eragon
Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's love interest is Arwen (the daughter of an elf king)
Eragon: Eragon's love interest is Arya (the daughter of an elf king)
Lord of the Rings: bad flying things are Ringwraiths
Eragon: bad flying things are Ra'zac
Lord of the Rings: there is a big fight in the troll dungeons
Eragon: there is a big fight in the troll dungeons
I could continue...suffice it to say, after reading "Eragon" I classified it as "Lord of the Rings" with a dragon. This is definitely not worth anyone's time, unless you want to amuse yourself by noting how many similarities there are between the trilogies.
Addendum: WOW! Thanks for all the comments. This is, by far, my most popular review. I'm glad to know others share my feelings for this pitiful excuse of an imaginative novel.
Addendum 2: If you, like so many others in the comments, find fault with my apparent ignorance and wish to correct me regarding the fact that this series is not a trilogy, please see comment #53.
Addendum 3: I can't even. I just can't. Do you know how many people have commented on the fact that this isn't a trilogy since I added Addendum 2 SPECIFICALLY addressing that? I don't even know how many because I've lost count. What does this teach us? It teaches us that people don't read. Let that sink in.
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Reading Progress
Finished Reading
July 26, 2007
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The Library Lady
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Apr 18, 2008 08:35PM
He lifted the names from Tolkien and the rest of the plot from Star Wars. Boy, I wish MY mommy and daddy had printed what I was writing at 15. Then I could be rich too :)
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Thank you both for putting into words my feelings about this book. I truly with that the Tolkein family would have challenged this book as soon as it came out, or at least the publisher had the brains to see plagerism.
What about my books - the one hundred volumes called "The Rings of the Lord" - in which a completely different hero, an Elf king named Erin-goran, fights in a troll's grave, against the grey riders, called the Nine Ghouls, to deliver his daughter safely to her wedding in Kindor, to a hidden youth named Eldron. The bride's name is Kerwin. There's a council of Wise-bards at Rothank, concerning the right ring for Kerwin, and, though requested, a willow herder, named Kent Bombur, does not show. Soranumis turns evil, gets rid of Gadarastis, and restrains Hindelfis, until Bill the Eagle, pulling Brithelman's coach, rescues him, and brings him to a year-round paradise called Riverend. There he meets up with the pygmies named Forto, Gamwit, Amiradok, and Finfinagrin. These all have to stop Scawrod from stealing the bride's wedding ring, which, in his hands, would make all souls subject to his will.I think you'll find this one much more original, and much more akin, at the same time, to LOTR, than Eregon. I:B (That's a Canadian, monobrow beaver smiley)
Petros wrote: "What about my books - the one hundred volumes called "The Rings of the Lord" - in which a completely different hero, an Elf king named Erin-goran, fights in a troll's grave, against the grey riders..." Wow - I love it.
I think I love you. I agree BTW
Petros wrote: "What about my books - the one hundred volumes called "The Rings of the Lord" - in which a completely different hero, an Elf king named Erin-goran, fights in a troll's grave, against the grey riders..."I think you could publish this. HEY! It would make a great movie!
I agree with you 100%!! I tried to explain this to my sister and for some reason she could not see the connections even though they are blatantly obvious. I felt like I reading "Lord of the Rings" all over again.
You are totally correct, but dont stop there, there are by far many more other famous Fantasies and Sci-fi`s Paolini has copied from, like star warsI mean SERIOSLY, I enjoyed the book ( Due to the fact I read it before LotR ) But I cannot begin to write down how many similarities there are between the first star wars film and this...
Petros wrote: "What about my books - the one hundred volumes called "The Rings of the Lord" - in which a completely different hero, an Elf king named Erin-goran, fights in a troll's grave, against the grey riders..."This already sounds better...
yeah, i noticed that it was a lot like lord of the rings (which is my fav book) as well. in that sense i guess it wasn't that creative, but i think the author added a charm of his own and i did quite like it.
Ora wrote: "Umm...not to press down your opinion or what, but I don't think Christopher Paolini meant to have Eragon so close to Aragon. I haven't even read The Lord of the Rings, and it's a horrible trilogy. ..."You are definitely entitled to your opinion, but I'm wondering how you can claim that "The Lord of the Rings" is a horrible trilogy when you admit to never having read it? Secondly, I believe Eragon was initially going to be a trilogy, but actually having it be 4 books strengthens my argument because "The Lord of the Rings" is 4 books as well (including the prequel, "The Hobbit"). And last, it's been a long time since I read this book, but I didn't read any more after it and yet, I knew Arya was royalty, so that had to have been revealed in this book. Regardless of the emphasis on her parentage, the fact remains that she is, indeed, a daughter of an elf king. Again, I'll say, however, you are entitled to your own opinion regardless to how vastly it differs from my own. And in all seriousness, I appreciate your post.
Ora wrote: "Umm...not to press down your opinion or what, but I don't think Christopher Paolini meant to have Eragon so close to Aragon. I haven't even read The Lord of the Rings, and it's a horrible trilogy. ..."*distracted* The forth book is OUT? and by the way Ora. Paolini did mean for the books to be a trilogy. the story just became too long. he says so himself.
All of you purists need to chill. I have read LOTR numerous times and love it. I just finished Inheritance (Eragon) and the parallels disturbed me at first, but then I got over it and enjoyed the story for what it was. This is not the first, nor will it be the last to "steal" from LOTR. Go to any book store and browse the Fantasy section. There must be hundreds of trilogies with men, elves, dwarves, dragons, etc. There are also hundreds of books about King Arthur, or princesses (maybe thousands) and their rescuers, witches, wizards, etc.Know this, Tolkien intended Lord of the Rings to be a single book, but his publisher split it into three.
oh! i'm not saying i don't like it. i love it too! i just think that he copied a lot from lord of the rings.
Jeni wrote: "Ora wrote: "Umm...not to press down your opinion or what, but I don't think Christopher Paolini meant to have Eragon so close to Aragon. I haven't even read The Lord of the Rings, and it's a horrib..."i agree. how can you know whether lord of the rings is good or not when you haven't read it? it's very good. really. it's my favorite too.
I still think the dedication required for the book is pretty commendable, but the plaugerism is just plain sad.
well the book's good for a 16 year old.
I couldn't have said it better. This "trilogy" and author don't deserve half the recognition they got.
Facepalm wrote: "*Facepalm*Oh is LOTR a trilogy? Well then, I guess every single trilogy printed after LOTR plagiarized it. Please, the fact that you put 'LOTR- Trilogy Eragon- Trilogy' proves your argument is we..."
well i think that it's rather not creative. you know in eragon elves come from over the seas in a silver ship? well in lord of the rings it's the same! if you just tried reading the appendix from page to page you would find out i'm right. i also think that ellesmera is related to Lothlorian and that arya's mother is related to Galadriel.
Liza wrote: "I couldn't have said it better. This "trilogy" and author don't deserve half the recognition they got."you mean the inheritance trilogy right?
Facepalm wrote: "*Facepalm*Oh is LOTR a trilogy? Well then, I guess every single trilogy printed after LOTR plagiarized it. Please, the fact that you put 'LOTR- Trilogy Eragon- Trilogy' proves your argument is we..."
Hmmm, I guess I was under the mistaken impression that this was a website where people could post their honest opinions about books. I didn't realize I needed to make sure my opinions were formed as proofs. My list of similiarities was a simple example. I apologize that it was not the in-depth comparision of the books that it seems you are looking for. I believe you are entitled to your opinion, however much I whole-heartedly disagree with it.
I don't know...I'm reading Eragon for the first time, but have read LOTR multiple times...they are some of my very favorite books. I don't really see all too many similarities though. I mean, sure, there are Elves and Dwarves in both, but aren't they in many, many, many fantasy books? To me, Eragon is nothing like any of the main characters in LOTR...not Frodo, Aragorn...I really don't see it. :/I was more disturbed personally by the similarities between LOTR and Lord Foul's Bane...but thats just me.
Sorry but i have to.LOTR is NOT a trilogy. It's six books, two books in each part, three PARTS.
Look at the titles, "The Two Towers, Being the Second Part of the Lord of The Rings"
There a few similarities granted, but you can't pick up two major books from the epic fantasy genre and for them to be entirely different!
I like the way you don't mention the fact Tolkien took aspects of norse mythology to write. Just because LOTR is similar to norse myth does that mean it's been plagerised?
Considering Eragon has paragraphs lifted, then barely rewritten straight from LotR says something very strong, about his editors mainly.I have wrote lines in stories that originated from other
books, I try to catch them on my read threws but know that I have probably missed some.
But he had a pro editor, who really should have caught a lot of things, including the bit in the first chapter with the bow that would only work if Eragon has three arms.
Just because it has a lot of the same things.. doesnt mean its the same book. Do anyone of you like avatar? because that has the same basic concept as a lot of movies... But it's totally different at the same time..
I've been reading Eragon.. and it doesn't seem that bad... I actually think it's quite interesting.
and 3 arms seriously?That is not how it is..
and I haven't read LoTR but iv'e read The Hobbit, and they are written differently...
Valorose wrote: "and 3 arms seriously?That is not how it is..
and I haven't read LoTR but iv'e read The Hobbit, and they are written differently..."
At the glen, he strung his bow with a sure touch, then drew three arrows and knocked one, holding the others in his left hand." (page seven).
To knock an arrow you need two hands. The only way that works is if he had three hands.
I've read the whole book, so have others who have noticed the same things I have.
Has anyone here read The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan? Eragon may be similar to LOTR but it has the exact same plot (though dumbed down) as Jordan's books. The only difference being that a dragon is flying above them the whole time in Eragon and that just sounds like he stole Feists idea about the Valheru.
Kid in on a farm, finds out he's an orphan, farm attacked, drags his father figure to town, cloaked figures trying to catch him, gets a special sword, surrounding by horn blowing army on the way, amazed at first big city but told how little it is comparatively, hides out in the inn, etc. It is enjoyable to read but wow. Even silly things like "Master of the Blades" or "Shade" have their parallel in Eye of the World but Jordan's version is "Blademaster" and "Fade." There are people that can't lie but deceitfully tell the truth. It was painfully obvious. I do see some connections to other books as well though.
Oh and I forgot similarities like getting marked on his hand, and finding a well of power inside himself, and the list just goes on and on. It is absolutely the same story!
Kid in on a farm, finds out he's an orphan, farm attacked, drags his father figure to town, cloaked figures trying to catch him, gets a special sword, surrounding by horn blowing army on the way, amazed at first big city but told how little it is comparatively, hides out in the inn, etc. It is enjoyable to read but wow. Even silly things like "Master of the Blades" or "Shade" have their parallel in Eye of the World but Jordan's version is "Blademaster" and "Fade." There are people that can't lie but deceitfully tell the truth. It was painfully obvious. I do see some connections to other books as well though.
Oh and I forgot similarities like getting marked on his hand, and finding a well of power inside himself, and the list just goes on and on. It is absolutely the same story!
Lol, I didn't enjoy the book enough to notice the similarities. Darn. Well, I'm not going back and re-reading it, despite my curiosity...
Woo hoo hoo! Scathing! I like it.
I think that you need a bit more detail than that. I could easily point out that Harry Potter has similarities too:
Hey it's really nice you know . I actually love it but no one can actually like every single book they read. Oh well.
Oh man, I was just reading through the comments again and laughing at how riled up some people get when someone else has a different opinion about a book than them. That's what is so great about this site, we can all air our opinions. Thanks for sharing everyone. Let's keep the debate going!
It makes me sad that so many people don't like a book that I absolutely adore.
Same for me, but some books aren't for everyone I guess.
You forgot to mention Star Wars and The Earth Sea Trilogy
So true! This book needs some original ideas.
Ebony wrote: "Yesenia wrote: "It makes me sad that so many people don't like a book that I absolutely adore."Me too. When i read it I wasnt comparing it to other novels, i was just enjoying the story!"
I agree in part. When I read a fantasy novel, I let it stand on its own merit without measuring it against Lord of the Rings. I want it to be a good story.
My problem might be that I have read 100's & 100's of novels, finding new authors all the time (i.e. Brent Weeks, Peter Brett, Patrick Rothfuss).
So when people rave about how good Eragon is or J.K. Rowlings, I'm not comparing these authors against J.R.R. Tolkien; they are being compared against 100's of outstanding authors who deserve having fans.
You are getting your panties in a bunch DQ. Christopher Paolini IS 16 years old ANd he is an author Protagy. So why don't you find his fan website and say that to his face and see how much his body guard loves insalters of Christopher Paolini and his books. BOOSH!!!!
Paolini has said that he purposely based things from his books off of LotR and Star Wars, so there's no reason to pie him. And your comment about troll dungeons were incorrect- there are not any trolls in Eragon. Also, LotR is not a trilogy, it actually consists of prologue, six books, and five appendices. The Inheritance Trilogy has also turned into a Cycle, with four books instead of three. So your point about both series being trilogies was a bit pointless.
saying an author isnt legit because he copied Tolkien is like saying a singer isn't legit because he copied weird al.LOTR ISN'T original. jrr felt the arthurian legends and myths weren't Anglo enough so he stole from another group who invaded England, the Norse Vikings. the story isn't original, the characters aren't original, the alphabet isn't original, even the ring, golem, and gandalf aren't original.
having your hero be a farmboy who uses a sword to rescue a princess from the clutches of an evil king with the help of a wise old mentor, and a witty sidekick, all while trying to work through various races, cultures, languages and traditions, isn't plagiarism, it's a formula for a good fantasy story.
thats harsh, calm down, the book was great
The book was great compared to what?
I personally enjoyed the book, that's my opinion. I am the biggest fan of LOTR, and I can see the similarities but it did not stop me from picking up the book and enjoying it. I am just about to reread it and the two others to get ready for the fourth book out next month, I can't leave a series without knowing the end! I enjoyed it, others didnt. Like most things really.
When this book gets a "great" comment, I always look at the commentators profile, noticing they haven't read much.Please for the love of good fantasy, read:
Elantris, Magician Apprentice, Name of the Wind, The Warded Man (then get back to us).
Of course I feel almost as strong about Harry Potter just from the movie alone.I plan to sit down and read through at least the first two books to see what all the fuss is about. It is difficult when I can list of dozens of authors and 100s of novels which should be moved to the top of everyone's reading list.
Leon wrote: "When this book gets a "great" comment, I always look at the commentators profile, noticing they haven't read much.Please for the love of good fantasy, read:
Elantris, Magician Apprentice, Name of..."
LOVE IT. And thanks for the recommendations. I'll have to look into those!
Hmmmmmm, a lot of the points you try to make are very weak and ignorant and it seems as if you're just trying to prove something just for the object of proving something. First of all LOTR was written as one book but was made a trilogy by the publishers, and The Inheritance Cycle is now going to be 4 books. Though Aragorn and Eragon do sound similar they are very different characters and Aragorn is not even the main character of LOTR, Frodo is. Arwen and Arya also sound similar and are elves, but to compare is rather pointless, as Arya is actually a character, and Arwen is only mentioned 3 or 4 times during the whole trilogy. The most valid point you make is the comparison bewtween the Ra'zac and the Nazgul, though the Nazgul don't fly, their creatures do. I have to assume when you say fight in the troll dungeons, that you are referring to the battle in Moria and Farthen Dur which I don't really find comparable at all.
Timothy wrote: "Hmmmmmm, a lot of the points you try to make are very weak and ignorant and it seems as if you're just trying to prove something just for the object of proving something. First of all LOTR was writ..."Is this a fake review response from the author or a family member?
No profile. No books on your shelf.
When I read an author for the first time, especially a fantasy author, part of me is going to always compare it to what I have read in the past. Its human nature. Although I have over thirty plus years of reading voraciously, I try to let each story stand on its own merit. I even allow them a bit of leeway.
There are books I set off to the side initially, leaving them to collect dust. Only to pick them up later, finish devouring them and then ask myself, "Why didn't I read this sooner?"
I don't need to match Eragon up against Lord of the Rings (LOTR) in a contest of best story. I don't match any novels up against LOTR to validate a better or worse scenario.
My approach is along the lines of if I had to recommend my top 10-100 novels or else face a firing squad, Eragon doesn't make my list regardless of novels I recommend.
I first learned to read like most school children, from the Dick & Jane books. And with all the GREAT fantasy & science fiction available (past & present), Eragon & Harry Potter both belong in the "Dick & Jane of Fantasy."
