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Brownbetty's Reviews > Eragon
Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, #1)
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Two or three years ago, everywhere I went there was some display attempting to sell me Eragon, by Christopher Paolini. It was obviously a bad book without opening the cover: the back cover carries a quote from the book, and an endorsement by Anne McCaffrey, and I'm pretty sure I could get that woman to supply a blurb for a double mint wrapper to the effect of "I couldn't put it down! An author ... to watch for!" The quote is "Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world." Please note, the author has just claimed that the world is going to be changed by a smell. Which would actually be an interesting book, sadly, not this one. I know this, because that quote is the first sentence of the book, and what the author means is "Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent giving warning of the coming of persons who would set in motion events that would change the world." I know, it lacks a certain something.
Better the eighty percent of the pit of voles, but still, undeserving of being published.
I do not blame Paolini for writing a bad book. People write, and sometimes, they write badly. But I do blame the editor, and his publishing house. This book is crap, and it should have been obvious to anyone who read it. The main character's most interesting bit of characterization and only vestige of personality is that he collects rocks, and this is only mentioned in one paragraph. He's a transparent sue. Everyone acts as if they have just acquired their motivations and history on a 3x5 card before walking on for their scene.
The plot is a clumsy clunker that is foreshadowed on page 22. He has never known his father, and his mother refused to answer questions about him! Do you think this will turn up again later? His name is Eragon. Like dragon, but with an E. An old man pops in to tell what in a better novel would be suspiciously appropriate myths and folktales every time Eragon needs to know what is going on.
Descriptive sections are often incomprehensible, as for example, "His hand was numb, his fingers paralysed. Alarmed, he watched as the middle of his palm shimmered and formed a diffuse white oval." The only reason I know what the author is intending to say there is because I have read enough fantasy to recognize the Mystical Mark.
Our hero makes decisions that make no sense, simply because they are necessary to move the plot forward. Obstacles like hiding a dragon from those living in your house are hand waved away in two paragraphs. Things that oughtn't be obstacles, like buying groceries, are, just to build sympathy with the protagonist by inserting baseless discrimination.
Why publish this!? Were they incapable of finding something more deserving? Was this book even edited? Is he someone's nephew? Publishing this book is an insult to readers and a disservice to writers everywhere, including Mr. Paolini. It's like telling someone they look great when they have spinach in their teeth. Dammit!
Better the eighty percent of the pit of voles, but still, undeserving of being published.
I do not blame Paolini for writing a bad book. People write, and sometimes, they write badly. But I do blame the editor, and his publishing house. This book is crap, and it should have been obvious to anyone who read it. The main character's most interesting bit of characterization and only vestige of personality is that he collects rocks, and this is only mentioned in one paragraph. He's a transparent sue. Everyone acts as if they have just acquired their motivations and history on a 3x5 card before walking on for their scene.
The plot is a clumsy clunker that is foreshadowed on page 22. He has never known his father, and his mother refused to answer questions about him! Do you think this will turn up again later? His name is Eragon. Like dragon, but with an E. An old man pops in to tell what in a better novel would be suspiciously appropriate myths and folktales every time Eragon needs to know what is going on.
Descriptive sections are often incomprehensible, as for example, "His hand was numb, his fingers paralysed. Alarmed, he watched as the middle of his palm shimmered and formed a diffuse white oval." The only reason I know what the author is intending to say there is because I have read enough fantasy to recognize the Mystical Mark.
Our hero makes decisions that make no sense, simply because they are necessary to move the plot forward. Obstacles like hiding a dragon from those living in your house are hand waved away in two paragraphs. Things that oughtn't be obstacles, like buying groceries, are, just to build sympathy with the protagonist by inserting baseless discrimination.
Why publish this!? Were they incapable of finding something more deserving? Was this book even edited? Is he someone's nephew? Publishing this book is an insult to readers and a disservice to writers everywhere, including Mr. Paolini. It's like telling someone they look great when they have spinach in their teeth. Dammit!
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Eragon.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
January 1, 2004
–
Finished Reading
August 12, 2007
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 132 (132 new)
message 1:
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Brownbetty
(last edited Aug 25, 2016 01:33PM)
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rated it 1 star
Nov 05, 2007 09:18AM
I cannot believe that a better book would not be a better gateway drug. I do not begrudge this book to any child who is brought into reading by it, but I must believe that there are some children who can detect its lack of literary merit and give up on reading because of it.
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The spouse's elderly scientist friend learned that I read fantasy, and insisted that I borrow this from her. I didn't even get through the first scene; it read like someone describing a scene they'd seen in a movie.
Yes, that's exactly what it's like; someone who doesn't tell terribly good stories telling you about a movie they saw once, only half out of order, and without any of the bits that made watching the movie enjoyable.
Great review! I didn't like it either, and you've articulated most of the reasons why.This was famously self-published by the young author's parents, and one of his readers happened to be the son or nephew of a big honcho in publishing, who raved about it. So we get two camps: those who think people who don't like it are just jealous, and those who insist bad writing shouldn't be published, and age is no excuse.
Frankly, the "debate", such as it is, is more interesting than the book itself.
I never got past the next morning, I skipped around the book so much I probably read all of it just not in order. Not because I like it, but because I want to understand why some honestly love it and think it's wonderful. Also because I know I (around Paolini's age) can do so much better because any reader should no better than to believe that this is a good story.
This book was actually the first fantasy book I ever read and I frankly don't know why you hated it, but if you did thats ok.I liked how the book opened up and I usually never read the prologue and when you went on how it was a "clumsy clunker" you completely lost me.
Then when you said "Descriptive sections are often incomprehensible, as for example, "His hand was numb, his fingers paralyzed. Alarmed, he watched as the middle of his palm shimmered and formed a diffuse white oval." I understood that line with ease. I can understand you having a problem with the repeat of what was basically said with "his fingers paralyzed" But in all it was comprehensible to me cause I used my imagination.
Oh then when you said "Our hero makes decisions that make no sense". He's human for crying out loud we all make decisions that make no sense. Actually they do make sense just not to other people. I really hope you read the whole of the story and yes some parts where disappointing but in all it was a good book as well story.
This book also targeted mainly the teenagers and not really the adult category, so if your an adult then I understand why you'd hate it.
Well, if this book was your introduction to fantasy, and gave you a good impression of it, then I am glad of that.
Well there are lots of better gateway books for young readers. I just finished an awesome one called Luthiel's Song. Then there's The Hobbit which is a classic. Something that my also appeal to younger readers and which was a very fun read is Percy Jackson's series.
"it read like someone describing a scene they'd seen in a movie." I think you right on that point. The feeling I got through the book as I read it was, "Well this is nice Star Wars with Dragons."
Could not possibly agree more with you, Brownbetty. It was a terrible book, like a dumbed-down version of something else.
I agree that this book wasn't worth publishing. I found it downright horrific and a ridiculous show of how the publishing industry is as corrupt as anything else. It was a infuriating reminder that it's "who you know", not "how good it is".I was recommended the book by a relative, who thinks whatever is popular is good. I was told that the author was young when he wrote it and very talented. At the time, I wasn't aware of the conditions surrounding the publication of the book and thought it must be amazing.
When I started reading Eragon I was completely disappointed. I had higher expectations and instantly thought that this writing was similar to the writing my friends and I had done years ago. I didn't get past the first few pages. I then looked up Eragon, learned the story behind the book and was furious that I had bought the book.
I confirmed my suspicions about the writing style with a writing buddy I had stayed in contact with. I sent her a few paragraphs from the beginning and she said it sounded like a bad forum role play.
I think the writing is typical of a fifteen year old. It certainly wasn't anything brilliant and I can't say anything for the plot since I never touched the book again.
I know it wasn't Christopher's fault and what I read about how his family encouraged him and promoted his work was kind of enduring. However, I feel insulted, as a reader and writer, by Random House/Knopf and, if I had a little less restraint, I might like to demand an apology.
I agree with this review 100%. Also, as stated on one of those cute websites that list *exactly* what is wrong with this series, point by awful point, how terrible that this was published because this kid had connections when some other 19-year old author has possibly written something worth reading but can't get an in. Instead of signing any sort of 'Breaking Dawn' petition over what an atrocity that book was, I sort of wonder if there shouldn't be one for this whole series.
Maybe I am just younger and more impressionable, but I enjoyed this book (and the next two) very much. Yes, it has many elements of previous stories in it, but it feels new and original to me. I do not agree 100% with you. You have a point about how the seemingly normal things become a trial, but I enjoy these books, so that's where I will stand. You have a point, but I don't really agree. I am looking forward to the next book.
Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope had a great story. Eragon is simply Christopher Paolini's medieval telling of it. Now it's up to you to decide which story is presented better. Hold on.. i'm gonna think about it, brb.
I totally agree with you. Eragon (oh how repulsive the name is) is either a badly disguised, or shamelessly paraded, Gary Stu.
Great review, exactly how i felt after reading the first two books (not going to bother with the third)
I love this book!!!!! LOVE LIVE ERAGON!!!!!!!!
message 18:
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Love (#1 BEATLES FAN IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE)
(last edited Mar 03, 2009 11:55AM)
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rated it 5 stars
Oh and I agree with Amy and Ammon btw!!!
I think that the writing style of this author was incredible, MUCH better than many adult authors. That is where I stand
If you enjoy reading it, I'm glad, and I'm certainly not going to tell anyone they can't like it.
Did you like the Harry Potter series?
Bravo for this review. Eragon... what a complete piece of garbage.
!!!!! It is soo not a complete piece of garbage!!!!! Think about all the hard work the author put into writing that!! And He was still in school, so he had to prep for tests and the high school exams, and do homework and after-school activities and start thinking about collage and he STILL found time to WRITE AN ENTIRE 491 PAGE NOVEL!! I think that there are very few of us who could do that
Kirit wrote: "!!!!! It is soo not a complete piece of garbage!!!!! Think about all the hard work the author put into writing that!! And He was still in school, so he had to prep for tests and the high school exa..."The thing is, just because a person created something under difficult circumstances doesn't make it worthwhile. If a blind man paints a picture of a landscape and I can sort of tell what it is, does that make it a great piece of art? Regardless of Paolini's age or circumstances, I have to regard the book on its own merits, and on its own merits the book is a derivative, poorly-written, rambling mess. That it's a derivative, poorly-written, rambling mess created by a young person doesn't change what it is.
Yes true, but Eragon was an amazing book and trust me, I know! (and I dont think that your blind man idea really relates to this)
That's fine that you enjoyed it, but to me it was nothing but a hodgepodge of bits and pieces from other, better fantasy and sci-fi stories, so I whole-heartedly agree with brownbetty's review. As for the blind man idea, it applies because your argument was that a person's circumstances need to be taken into consideration when deciding if a work of art is great or not -- that if art was created amidst hardship, then it should be granted leniency. So, if a man is blind and he creates a painting, he should be granted a great deal of leniency, right? You also argue that I should consider how much hard work he put into writing the book. Now, I could put a great deal of hard work into sculpting a statue, but as I haven't a lick of talent as a sculptor, whatever I created would still be garbage, no matter how hard I tried.
if u didnt enjoy reading it thats fine, but i liked it
Kirit wrote: "if u didnt enjoy reading it thats fine, but i liked it"To each his own :-).
yup
omg!!! this book was the BEST!!!! you people SUCK if you dont like this but i guess you can't please the LOSERS who dont even read the AWESOME books!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brownbetty wrote: "Yes, that's exactly what it's like; someone who doesn't tell terribly good stories telling you about a movie they saw once, only half out of order, and without any of the bits that made watching t..."But that is how writers see there books, they see them as movies in there head that must be writtin, they see them as lives that must be lived. They don't just write randomly about nothing there are worlds in there heads that scream for freedom and that is just that writers interpretation of the story not a book made just for you give it a chance read it again I garentee that you'll like something in it. and even if you don't like it don't slander it just becaue it isn't something that suits your fancy Other people live for these books and love them dearly
Kirit wrote: "!!!!! It is soo not a complete piece of garbage!!!!! Think about all the hard work the author put into writing that!! And He was still in school, so he had to prep for tests and the high school exa..."actually he was homeschooled and had graduated college before really writing the book whaile still in school he just had the ideas
Lol, I laughed at this review so much. 3x5 inch cards :)I did like the book, but it's full of flaws.
Kirit (#1 BEATLES FAN IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE) wrote: "!!!!! It is soo not a complete piece of garbage!!!!! Think about all the hard work the author put into writing that!! And He was still in school, so he had to prep for tests and the high school exa..."Even you and I could write 491 pages... of incompetent trash. But that would just be a waste of time. A bad-quality book is bad, even if its author or its length is indeed extraordinary.
Personally, I want to blame Paolini, not his editors or publishers. Doesn't it seem kind of arrogant of him to think that the shallow-ish stuff he thought up as a fifteen-year-old was worthy of becoming a book? I mean, even if he'd edited and changed it to death when he became older, some things just can't improve unless you rethink the entire story, which I feel like he didn't do.
Wow. Your comments section has deteriorated into a debate that rivals the reviews section on the pit of voles. I came to comment just because I laughed at that reference.I haven't read the book yet, but I haven't heard much good about it. You know, other than OMG!!! It rulez!!!!!!!1! You suck if you hate it!!!!!!!!!111111
Wonderful review, Brownbetty.
Gosh, you 12-year olds who obviously don't read much are so cute~!!The book is loaded with plot-holes, two-dimensional characters, no originality whatsoever, and a borderline-sociopath god-mode Marty-Stu for a protagonist.
Well done Brownbetty! A masterpiece!
Joe wrote: "Gosh, you 12-year olds who obviously don't read much are so cute~!!The book is loaded with plot-holes, two-dimensional characters, no originality whatsoever, and a borderline-sociopath god-mode ..."
I agree with this, not only that, but the borrowed elements from many other books, some not as well known, is pretty much a way to say, THIS BOOK IS BAD.
For all people who think Eragon is bad, go to
I LOVE ERAGON!!!!!!!!! Its really annoying when ppl write bad reviews for books....
And please don't try to press your opinion on me, I happen to really like this book!
I've read Eragon a few times. I liked it the first time. It was a nice book for a rainy day. After I finished it, my dad commented that it wasn't a "real dragon book" and handed me the first of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series. After reading those, I've come to the conclusion that Eragon could be best described as Anne McCaffrey (and maybe The Lord of the Rings) light. It's the perfect thing to get young(ish) kids into reading. It was actually the first long book my little brother read all the way through. The content isn't original, but the guy was fifteen when he wrote it. I know a few fifteen year old guys, and this is exactly the story they would have written. And I know I'm going to get thrown to the wolves for this, but the writing is better than Twilight. Both were published. Eragon is not the only poorly written bestseller.A few people mentioned that the name Eragon is derived from Dragon, replacing the D with an E. It's also a reference to The Lord of the Rings, Aragorn. I don't know if that was the author's intention, but that is the first thing that came to my mind.
To Kendall: It can be annoying when people write a bad review for a book you loved but hey, it is an opinion. People have different opinions. That's okay.
Yup I know. :)
Again I will say SO MANY ELEMENTS WERE STOLE FROM DAVID EDDINGS.
If you haven't read any of his books, they are amazing. The insignia on Eragon's hand is the same as the one one the main character of the Belgariad, by David Eddings. Even the way magic is used is the same.
Ora wrote: "Truthfully, the book Eragon was the reason I started reading fantasy books. Eragon hooked me on with the first sentence. What I don't understand is why people are so critical about his writing. If ..."I understand what you are saying, but it really ticks me of when people talk about how awesome Paolini is when he stole so many things. Many ideas he stole were from lesser known novels, and it makes me mad to see him as more successful than some much better writers. Also about the why don't you write something better, don't say this. Think about movie reviewers etc.
I didn't get this review. I believe that Paolini writes very well and think of this: he was only 15 when he wrote this book. Maybe it's because i'm too young, but i believe that this book was very well written
In my opinion, the fact that he was only fifteen is very prominent. It's not necessarily the writing style, but rather the content. It's exactly what you'd expect a teenage boy to write, especially with the more gory scenes. It reads much like a piece of fanfiction.
How many times do I have to say this to people like Syfast, he didn't write it when he was 15, he started writing when he was 15, he finished when he was 19, and I guess you are too young cause this book is not well written.
Everyone who thinks eregon is a bad book is a weirdo
I am not twelve and I read alot, but I loved this book maybe it is full of plot holes ect, however I read it cover to cover in a night. I went to work the next day obviously a little out of it. If a book like this gets someone reading than in my opinion that is an accomplishment.
I am not twelve nor is this my first book, I read alot, I loved this book and it's subsequent sequels. I think if you read it with the heart of a teenager it's very enjoyable. That Paolini wrote this when he was fifteen is to some remarkable and to others obnoxious but to me if this book gets some kids interested in reading as a whole than that is a great accomplishment.
