Author Topic: Eragon  (Read 3265 times)

Master Xaio

  • Level 13
  • *
  • Posts: 567
  • Fell Points: 0
  • All power corrupts, absolute power's even more fun
    • View Profile
    • Eradicator II RPG
Eragon
« on: April 24, 2004, 09:42:14 AM »
Ok, well I've just finished reading Eragon, which I got out of the library.  I'm not sure if you've read it, but if not the basic story is that a kid discovers a dragon egg, and become friends with it, decides to overthrow evil king etc. etc.

Now though the writing was good, the book *really* irritated me.  Why? Because it was pretty much a complete series of rip-offs.  It is a classic case of formula writing.  Plus there are rip-offs from tolkien and robert jordan to name a few.  "The Thirteen Foresworn" - sounds a bit like the Nazgul, no?  The 'Urgals' are almost exactly like trollocs.  "The Last Battle" is *very* similar in format to the last battle of the first WotR.  

I'd be interested in your comments, because tho it was a good yarn, all the rip-offs and the formula writing irritated me.
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams"
William Yeats, 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven'.

stacer

  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4641
  • Fell Points: 0
    • View Profile
    • Stacy Whitman's Grimoire
Re: Eragon
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2004, 12:27:26 PM »
I've been meaning to read it, actually, but hadn't gotten around to it. Every time I pick it up and read the jacket and flip through it, I actually put it back down because it does sound a little like you described. The only reason I would read it at this point is because it's been so hyped in children's literature circles that to be able to discuss it I ought to read it.

It was written by a 17-year-old, so I think that's why it's so hyped, that he was able to write so well so young, even if the story was completely unoriginal.
Help start a small press dedicated to publishing multicultural fantasy and science fiction for children and young adults. http://preview.tinyurl.com/pzojaf.

Follow our blog at http://www.tupublishing.com
We're on Twitter, too! http://www.twitter.com/tupublishing

fuzzyoctopus

  • Level 57
  • *
  • Posts: 4556
  • Fell Points: 0
  • fearsome and furry
    • View Profile
Re: Eragon
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2004, 12:34:31 PM »
Ok, you rock because I was just going to start a thread about this book and ask if anyone had read it.

Isn't there another book coming out soonish?
"Hr hr! dwn wth vwls!" - Spriggan

I reject your reality, and substitute my own. - Adam Savage, Mythbusters

French is a language meant to be butchered, especially by drunk Scotts. - Spriggan

Brenna

  • Moderator
  • Level 14
  • *****
  • Posts: 635
  • Fell Points: 0
  • Hey! Where'd the world go?
    • View Profile
Re: Eragon
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2004, 01:18:00 PM »
Yes, the second book in the (series? Trilogy? Something...) is supposed to come out soon. I'll probably get it because I want to know what happens.

I saw the similarities with Tolkien, though I've yet to read much Robert Jordan (I'm trying really hard to get through the first one, for the first time, right now) so any similarities are lost on me there.  My husband kept pointing them out however.  

The book irritated my husband much more than it irritated me.  He thought every single character sounded and acted like they were ten years old.  I'd up the age a bit, but I'd have to agree.  

I still enjoyed the main story, though, and look forward to reading the next one.

Entsuropi

  • Level 60
  • *
  • Posts: 5033
  • Fell Points: 0
  • =^_^= Captain of the highschool Daydreaming team
    • View Profile
Re: Eragon
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2004, 02:44:39 PM »
I read this ages ago. I felt that not only did it feel more cliched than the average fanfic, but it was obviously written by a 15year old (thats how old he was when he wrote it. He is 18 now). The writing is... okish. The characters not only look, smell, act and sound like various tolkien characters, but they are not terribly interesting in any case.

Also, it made me think of dragonlance.
If you're ever in an argument and Entropy winds up looking staid and temperate in comparison, it might be time to cut your losses and start a new thread about something else :)

Fellfrosch

Master Xaio

  • Level 13
  • *
  • Posts: 567
  • Fell Points: 0
  • All power corrupts, absolute power's even more fun
    • View Profile
    • Eradicator II RPG
Re: Eragon
« Reply #5 on: April 26, 2004, 05:07:33 AM »
Yeah fuzzy, there is another book coming out.  It is a trilogy, the 'Inheritance' Trilogy.  The next book is called Eldest.  I probably will indeed read the next two books, it was just that this book was extremely annoying.  

And entropy, you've got a point.  Some of them had a tiny bit of depth, but others were cardboard cut-out characters, eg. Arya etc.  
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams"
William Yeats, 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven'.

EUOL

  • Moderator
  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4708
  • Fell Points: 33
  • Mr. Prolific [tm]
    • View Profile
    • Brandon Sanderson dot com
Re: Eragon
« Reply #6 on: April 26, 2004, 08:18:36 AM »
This guy earned about twenty times what I did on my advance.  

<sigh>

That's what I get for not being fifteen!
http://www.BrandonSanderson.com

"Technically, I don't even have a brain."--Fellfrosch

fuzzyoctopus

  • Level 57
  • *
  • Posts: 4556
  • Fell Points: 0
  • fearsome and furry
    • View Profile
Re: Eragon
« Reply #7 on: April 26, 2004, 09:43:35 AM »
Don't worry, as people get addicted to your books your advances will go up.
"Hr hr! dwn wth vwls!" - Spriggan

I reject your reality, and substitute my own. - Adam Savage, Mythbusters

French is a language meant to be butchered, especially by drunk Scotts. - Spriggan

EUOL

  • Moderator
  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4708
  • Fell Points: 33
  • Mr. Prolific [tm]
    • View Profile
    • Brandon Sanderson dot com
Re: Eragon
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2004, 09:54:42 AM »
Hey, fuzzy.  Check the writing group section--I've got another question for you female-type-peoples.
http://www.BrandonSanderson.com

"Technically, I don't even have a brain."--Fellfrosch

Master Xaio

  • Level 13
  • *
  • Posts: 567
  • Fell Points: 0
  • All power corrupts, absolute power's even more fun
    • View Profile
    • Eradicator II RPG
Re: Eragon
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2004, 08:13:03 PM »
Its kinda surprising just how many people are writing fantasy books these days.  About a third of the people I know are writing a book of some kind or another.  Most probably won't finish them or get published, but it is merely interesting how many people of this age are using writing as a form of release.
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams"
William Yeats, 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven'.

EUOL

  • Moderator
  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4708
  • Fell Points: 33
  • Mr. Prolific [tm]
    • View Profile
    • Brandon Sanderson dot com
Re: Eragon
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2004, 04:38:02 AM »
It's a good thing, I think.  If nothing else, writing will give them a sense of accomplishment, and will probably improve their ability to communicate.  

Plus, if they're that interested in writing fantasy books, then they're probably reading them too.  I encourage this, since they might end up buying my book.  :)

Make certain they all know to buy ELANTRIS when it comes out, Outkast.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2004, 04:38:53 AM by EUOL »
http://www.BrandonSanderson.com

"Technically, I don't even have a brain."--Fellfrosch

Master Xaio

  • Level 13
  • *
  • Posts: 567
  • Fell Points: 0
  • All power corrupts, absolute power's even more fun
    • View Profile
    • Eradicator II RPG
Re: Eragon
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2004, 07:17:14 AM »
Lol, will do.  And when I get around to finishing mine, you can return the favour :D

BTW - when's it due out???
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams"
William Yeats, 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven'.

EUOL

  • Moderator
  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4708
  • Fell Points: 33
  • Mr. Prolific [tm]
    • View Profile
    • Brandon Sanderson dot com
Re: Eragon
« Reply #12 on: April 27, 2004, 07:19:39 AM »
May 2005 in the states.  We're negotiating World English rights at the moment, however, so I'm not sure when it will come out in your area.  Probably around the same time, though, from what I hear.  

Quote
And when I get around to finishing mine, you can return the favour


Lol.  It's a deal.  In fact, if you get that thing sold and I'm still around, I'll probably be willing to cover quote it for you.
« Last Edit: April 27, 2004, 07:27:58 AM by EUOL »
http://www.BrandonSanderson.com

"Technically, I don't even have a brain."--Fellfrosch

Master Xaio

  • Level 13
  • *
  • Posts: 567
  • Fell Points: 0
  • All power corrupts, absolute power's even more fun
    • View Profile
    • Eradicator II RPG
Re: Eragon
« Reply #13 on: April 27, 2004, 07:46:02 AM »
Hey, sounds great.  Now I better get writing....
"But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams"
William Yeats, 'He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven'.

EUOL

  • Moderator
  • Level 58
  • *
  • Posts: 4708
  • Fell Points: 33
  • Mr. Prolific [tm]
    • View Profile
    • Brandon Sanderson dot com
Re: Eragon
« Reply #14 on: April 27, 2004, 07:52:20 AM »
That's kind of the key.  The 'secret', if you will, to becoming an author.  Are you involved with the writing group below?
http://www.BrandonSanderson.com

"Technically, I don't even have a brain."--Fellfrosch