Eragon by Christopher Paolini

[Kell]

One of the two books chosen for the September Reading Circle is Eragon by Christopher Paolini.

When Eragon finds a polished stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon soon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands...

Post your discussions here.

Happy reading! :reading:

[Lilywhite]

I'm not a great fantasy fan but this book really caught my imagination. It is nowhere near as complicated as Lord of The Rings as the book was written by a 15 year old boy and it is primarily for a younger audience. The story though, is a typical child-like fantasy and more than likely will capture the hidden child in every one. I understand that not everyone likes fantasy, but I do feel that if anything is going to convince you to read it, it will be this book.

[Lilywhite]

it is one of those books that I really did love and I do feel quite passionate about the story. And the film looks good too, it's due out at xmas. :)

[O's]

A very good read, easy to pick up and the plot is fast enough to keep your interest. And dragons.

[Kell]

I'm not doing very well with the reading circle choices this month at all! After giving up on The Queen of Tambourine, I'm considering doing the same with Eragon. I've never really been into the Sword-&-Sorcery type of fantasy novels at all, & all this talk of dragons & elves is already turning me off big time. Add to that all the wierd names that are already cropping up & it's adding up to something I'm really not enjoying so far. I'll persevere a while longer, but if I don't get into it soon, I'm afraid I'll have to leave this one too.

[Lilywhite]

There should be a bit at the back of the book to help with the names and things, if that helps Kell. The names aren't too weird though...... there's a Katrina :)

[Kell]

Nah, I'm afraid I've had enough of it already - I've spent all morning slogging through it & I'm just not getting into it at all. The very fact that the book even needs an explanation at the back for all the names is quite off-putting for me. I think I'll just have to step back from this month's reading circle. Ah well, I'll be back on for next month's RC. In the meantime, I have a colossal TBR list to make a dent in...

[Michelle]

I thought I was the only one that gave up with some of the RC books!

[O's]

Its worth persevering with, but each to their own. Don't be put off, its a good book and the second part is equally as good.

[Lilywhite]

Starting this one this evening. I can't wait. I really loved this book when I first bought it and I can't believe that was over two years ago. It was a whim buy in Waterstone's after I found nothing else I liked in Liverpool. The train journey home was the highlight of the day, with my spanking new book :)

[mrstrecool]

I haven't read this yet, but have just seen it has been made into a movie.

Go to www.eragonmovie.com for more details.

For anyone enjoying Eragon, Eldest, the sequel, is out now in paperback.

I'm going to look for Eragon in the library as it's not something I would normally read but I want to give it a try.

[linda321]

Well, I am about 60 pages in, and it's OK, I am enjoying it! I'm not reading it as quickly as I do other types of books though. I find my thoughts wandering, and have to read the page again! Does this happen to anyone else? Do you think it's the writing style or the subject matter? (I found the same with 'Emma')

[Lilywhite]

I can't wait for the film :) I adore the books. I'm still waiting for the final installment but I don't think he's even started writing it yet.....

[Lilywhite]

I find my thoughts wandering, and have to read the page again! Does this happen to anyone else?

I did find that the first time I read it I had to pay extra attention until I knew who the characters were and where they were from. After the first 100 pages it's plain sailing, he just has to get the history in so you know where he is taking the story. I found the map helpful too.

[Lilywhite]

I'm about half way through this one now and I can't believe how much of it I had forgotten. It's almost as good as reading it the first time around.

Is anybody else reading this one?? How are you enjoying it so far?

[linda321]

Nearly finished now, and it's great! Definately worth perservering with. I've found the more I read, the quicker I go! I'll post again in a few days when I've finished it.

[Lilywhite]

I'm glad you enjoyed it Linda, it's brilliant after you persevere through the initial 'laying of the land', once you know the history you can run with the story. I love the characters in the book too, Saphira is loveable in her own way and you have the 'pantomime' bad guys who you just want to boo when they appear :)

[linda321]

Well I did finish Eragon! Quite a while ago actually, now perservering with Frankenstein, certainly you lot have got me reading outside my 'box'! I enjoyed Eragon immensely, even more so towards the end. Kind of a mixture of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings! Just lent it to my 17 year old son, who read it on holiday and he loved it! Perhaps we can go together to see the film.

[Lilywhite]

I am glad you enjoyed it, very well worth persevering with. If you are interested the next part of the book is called Eldest and should be available in paperback soon. Unfortunately the final part of this trilogy hasn't been written yet as Christopher has been busy with the film but I know I am looking forward to it very very much.

[Sugar]

I've finished reading Eragon today having had it on my TBR pile since it was chosen for the reading circle. I loved it. It is one of my 5* reads for this year. I must say I was a little cynical as a) it's American (sorry! but I hate Americanisations in the text!) and b) it was originally published in a rather neoptism way (parents published it). I'm so glad it proved me wrong! I now can't wait to see the movie and to read Eldest.

ETA - Having read through the discussions above, I agree that the map and pronunciation guide were really enlightening. I agree with Kell that the fact it NEEDED a guide is a bit frustrating, but in comparison to other fantasy that doesn't offer that was much better, none of the "P---- said" feeling each time I read names!

Overall - one of the best things Paolini did was the scene setting and descriptive passages. I'm not entirely sure what an Urghal looks like (big foot?!), but as someone has said that Paolini has been really involved with the film - I hope it cpatures their likeness and can put me out of my misery!

[Lilywhite]

I'm glad you liked this one Sugar, it's still one of my favourites too. Only 11 days until the film is out :D (Dec 15)

[Lilywhite]

Great film, book is still 100% better though.

[Sugar]

Great film, book is still 100% better though.
We went to see this on Saturday. I made the mistake of reading a review just before we went, so I began to wonder what I was letting myself in for (the review slated it!), but as I had managed to convince my other half to take me out decided there was no way I was changing my mind!

I didn't find the film anywhere near as bad as I was fearing - I actually quite enjoyed it, but I agree with many of the review comments (and the IMDB discussions that I have read) - they missed out so much, including some important characters (Solembum, the entire dwarf population, Katrina, and Murtag was a very minor character). They could easily have made it 30 minutes longer and included so much more. Even my OH (who hasn't read the book) felt it was rushed and some of the plot didn't link together very well. I can't see how they can possibly do the second book into a film now, either.

That said, it was a good fun film, Saphira was as gorgeous as I hoped! Eragon was a little too blond and blue-eyed for me, but Jeremy Irons as Brom was perfect!

I'd recommend it, but don't hope for it to be too much like the book, and I agree with Kat that the book is much better.

Oh - and I finished reading Eldest today. I hope he hurries up and gets the third one written now as I want to see how this all turns out! Book 2 is much more about character development, and giving Eragon's cousin Roran a story (it could have been called Roran I suppose!). I wouldn't say it was quite as good as Eragon but still well worth a read.

[Lilywhite]

I found myself wanting Durza to win, Robert Carlisle stole the film in my view. I did like the different ending, that was cool, but they should have stuck more to the plot. I would watch it again anytime though, I love dragons :)

[Gyre]

Hello,

I am half way through 'Eragon' and I am really enjoying it, I love the relationship between Eragon and Saphira.

:readingtwo:

[NorthernMonkey]

I must say plagiarism does seem to spring to mind with this book, it's good read and well written but he has seemed to borrowed ideas, characters and events from alot of iconic books of the genre. Lotr and The Wheel of Time books mostly spring to mind when I read this.

But I must add that if you have never read many fantasy books this would be a good start.

To sum it up a well written book that will hopefully make a great film.

[Gyre]

I finished 'Eragon' today and as mentioned, there is lot of the book which reminds you of other books, but I did enjoy the book, I liked the story, the characters were really good too, I enjoyed the fact that you could see Eragon growing up.

I am reading the next part of the Inheritance trilogy, 'Eldest'...:mrgreen:

[O's]

I must say plagiarism does seem to spring to mind with this book, it's good read and well written but he has seemed to borrowed ideas, characters and events from alot of iconic books of the genre.


I'm sorry, but you're being overly judgemental. The book is just as plagiarised as any other, pick up any sci fi and you could use the same argument with Asimov.

Lovecraft took ideas from Howard, Stephan king has taken ideas from Lovecraft. does that make it plagiarism? Name me a series of fantasy containing orcs and wizards which isn't 'plagiarised' from Tolkien.

[kitty_kitty]

I enjoyed it but the only thing i thought was wierd was the boy who wrote based the character on himself and it me "yeah you wish love"

But i loved bad baddie and i loved the dragon i have Eldest but that is packed away somewhere but i am off work for a while so i will have to find it when we move

[Laramie]

I love Eragon - my friend got it for me for my Birthday, and now Eldest has been added to my TBR list...my ever-increasing TBR list. :lol:

[princessponti]

I've just finished Eragon, and I HOPE you haven't just spoilt the next book for me :motz: feeling very grumpy right now! I guess I won't know for sure until I finish Eldest too :mad:

[angerball]

Just finished this book. I loved it, even though I'm not usually a fan of fantasy books. I found it very easy to read, which is not always the case (in my case, at least!) with fantasy books. They just seem to drag on forever, and never really go anywhere. This one was very fast paced, with lots of action happening - it was an nice, uncomplicated read.
I was very surprised to hear that the author started writing this book when he was only 15!! :thud: Very impressive, indeed! I look forward to reading Eldest, though it will probably be a while until I get around to it.

[Lilywhite]

Glad to hear of another fan, I adore this book. I do have the next book Eldest sat on my shelf, I started to read it when it first came out and then got distracted by moving house.

There is no rush though, he hasn't finished writing the final book yet :roll:

[princessponti]

I've just finished Eragon, and I HOPE you haven't just spoilt the next book for me :motz: feeling very grumpy right now! I guess I won't know for sure until I finish Eldest too :mad:


I read the second book and I'll let you off - you did make me very unhappy though! Please be careful with statements that could be misconstrued!

[Laramie]

I have just finished Eldest and I don't think it was nearly as good as Eragon. Although the whole political stuff was very clever, I think the explanations which became nesessary because it was so complicated took away the whole fast-moving plot which I so liked about Eragon. However, I still very much enjoyed it and I am eagerly awaiting the next one!:readingtwo:

[EshInoBi]

I finished Eragon and am now on page 559 in Eldest. In my opinion, Eldest is better than Eragon. The only part that I don't like is that it's so long! :readingtwo: I am also waiting for Brisingr to come out as I think it will explain a lot!!! Eragon and Eldest must be the longest books I've ever read!!!

[EshInoBi]

I just finished Eldest last night and I feel horribly full of dread because I have to wait until September 20 for Brisingr to come out!!! =(

[Laramie]

Ooooh, I didn't know it was called that, or that that was when it came out.

I think I prefered Eragon, but I can't remember so maybe it's time to re-read :D