[Book] Favorite Books

Originally Posted by The Arbitrator

EDIT: Thanks to the magic of wiki I now realise this is the Eragon series, and find that it is very much not relevant to my interests. D:

Did you know that Christopher whathislastname, was only I think, 18, when he first wrote Eragon. That, I think, is awesome - considering how good the book is. I've only ever read the first book back when I was in grade nine, but I do remember it being good. (Actually, I should read the book again, seeing how a few years have passed since then.)

At least for an 18 year old writer anyways.

Ah, as for myself.

Theater of the Stars by N.M. Kelby

It was a pretty decent book. I enjoyed it. Took a few chapters for me to get into, but once I got into it, I was done shortly after. It was about a mother ending up in America with a baby, named Lucienne, I think it was, and Lucienne grew up and wanted to know who her father was. Lucienne's mother, Helene, was a victim of war (book takes place in flashbacks in the 1940s and 2001), and she pretty much was losing her mind through all this trauma, so she tries to kill herself, and then Lucienne is at the hospital, she meets this doctor, and they go out to find who her Dad is.. and it's an interesting conclusion.

Anyways. It sounds kind of cliche, in a way, but don't let me flat description fool you.

^^^

Regarding Chris Paolini... I thought the Inheritance Cycle books were good (still waiting on the last one), but was sorely disappointed with him when I finally got around to reading the Earthsea books (LeGuin) and found that a lot of his world is based on her ideas.

Ashton Smith was writing publishable work at 14, consistently targeted demographics more "mature" than himself, and didn't have the tremendous advantage of parents in the publishing business. Nothing against Paolini's actual work but if you're gonna judge an author's work by his life story, he's not all he's cracked up to be.

On the other hand, I'll be the first to defend Chris from criticisms of plagiarism. Since 1977, its been entirely impossible to publish non-derivative high fantasy for a wide audience; the man shouldn't be held responsible for the industry's problems.

On the other hand, I'll be the first to defend Chris from criticisms of plagiarism. Since 1977, its been entirely impossible to publish non-derivative high fantasy for a wide audience; the man shouldn't be held responsible for the industry's problems.

I was just disappointed... because I wasn't familiar with LeGuin's work, I was really enthralled with some of the fantasy aspects that Paolini had used. So when I finally read the Earthsea books, I was ... disillusioned, I guess?

Heh; you're not alone, trust me.

About twice a year a new author will come forward and announce that his new book makes a stunning break from the tradition of *Major 60s/70s Author X* and puts the fantastic back in fantasy. Of course the book doesn't appeal to the general public - who really do want more major 60s/70s Author X - or to the hardcore fantasy community - who've all given up on High Fantasy - and the author's never heard from again.

This dude appears to be early 2009's candidate, though at least he has an established record to fall back on.
Brandon Sanderson who was expected to be the 2006 example, may actually change things now that he's lucked in to the limelight.

Originally Posted by Jehanne

^^^

Regarding Chris Paolini... I thought the Inheritance Cycle books were good (still waiting on the last one), but was sorely disappointed with him when I finally got around to reading the Earthsea books (LeGuin) and found that a lot of his world is based on her ideas.

Most of his inspiration was clearly Star Wars (at least, for the first book, I've not read any of the others)


Mind you, to me it just seemed to be thoroughly generic fantasy. I didn't make the Star Wars connection until much later, mostly because Star Wars was a very obvious attempt to distill the heroic archetype and story, so any generic fantasy is going to be similar to it.

Originally Posted by John

Most of his inspiration was clearly Star Wars (at least, for the first book, I've not read any of the others)


Mind you, to me it just seemed to be thoroughly generic fantasy. I didn't make the Star Wars connection until much later, mostly because Star Wars was a very obvious attempt to distill the heroic archetype and story, so any generic fantasy is going to be similar to it.

The world of Eragon was also heavily influenced by the Lord of the Rings. Have you ever compared the two book's Elves and Dwarves? Almost exactly the same.

Also, you guys should go read The Alchemist: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel and all of it's subsequent books. Great series. Been following it since it came out. (Also I NEED to get the Sorceress, I don't know why I am taking so long. )

I also enjoy this series. A little short, but good stories.

Has anyone read The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time IndianandFlight?

Originally Posted by King KK

The world of Eragon was also heavily influenced by the Lord of the Rings. Have you ever compared the two book's Elves and Dwarves? Almost exactly the same.

All fantasy Elves and Dwarves (with a few exceptions, mostly in urban fantasy, and even then only for Elves) are like Tolkien's.


Even the non-Tolkien elves share some similarities. They tend to be proud, magical, beautiful, and powerful. The main difference is personality. Modern non-Tolkien elves closer match the Sidhe of Celtic legend than Tolkien's.

Originally Posted by John

All fantasy Elves and Dwarves (with a few exceptions, mostly in urban fantasy, and even then only for Elves) are like Tolkien's.


Even the non-Tolkien elves share some similarities. They tend to be proud, magical, beautiful, and powerful. The main difference is personality. Modern non-Tolkien elves closer match the Sidhe of Celtic legend than Tolkien's.

I think the thing that really tipped me off to this was the part when I was reading the Two Towers where you learn that Elves don't sleep, but have 'waking dreams'. And then I remembered that the elves in Eragon do the exact same thing.
It's just stuff like that.

Albeit simplistic, nearly predictable, and popular, the Harry Potter series is always a fantastic read that provides mildly good insight on the nature of friendship, love, sadness, remorse, and perseverance.

It changed my life, that's for sure.

Originally Posted by John

Most of his inspiration was clearly Star Wars (at least, for the first book, I've not read any of the others)

And I thought Star Wars was mostly inspired by old ninja stories, or something.


Ah, well; we can't get around the fact that there aren't all that many different stories and archetypes. But there were details with the Eragon world that were really neat --- but most of them turned out to be LeGuin's ideas.

I am currently enjoying Baum's Oz books. I'm up to The Lost Princess of Oz. He had a really interesting writing style. They're generally pretty predictable (there's like 5 deus ex machinas in the first few books), but still fun.

Originally Posted by King KK

I think the thing that really tipped me off to this was the part when I was reading the Two Towers where you learn that Elves don't sleep, but have 'waking dreams'. And then I remembered that the elves in Eragon do the exact same thing.
It's just stuff like that.

Again, most fantasy elves are similar (indeed, Elves in Dungeons and Dragons are physically incapable of sleeping. Ever.)


The main difference you see now is in personality. Elves all look like Tolkien's, but they may be more or less Celtic.

Originally Posted by King KK

I think the thing that really tipped me off to this was the part when I was reading the Two Towers where you learn that Elves don't sleep, but have 'waking dreams'. And then I remembered that the elves in Eragon do the exact same thing.
It's just stuff like that.

The Inheritance cycle is highly derivative of other works, the primary ones being Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, the Earthsea cycle and the Dragonriders of Pern.

There are also little snippets of text in Paolini's books that are almost directly copied from other sources. Compare, for instance, a passage in Eragon with a very similar, and older, passage from David Eddings' The Ruby Knight.

Eragon:

The Anora River flowed between them and the town, spanned by a stout bridge. As they approached it, a greasy man stepped from behind a bush and barred their way. His shirt was too short and his dirty stomach spilled over a rope belt. Behind his cracked lips, his teeth looked like crumbling tombstones.

“You c’n stop right there. This’s my bridge. Gotta pay t’ get over.”
“How much?” asked Brom in a resigned voice. He pulled out a pouch and the bridge keeper brightened.
“Five crowns” he said, pulling his lips into a broad smile.
Eragon’s temper flared at the exorbitant price, and he started to complain hotly, but Brom silenced him with a quick look. The coins were wordlessly handed over. The man put them into a sack hanging from his belt.
“Thank’ee much” he said in a mocking tone and stood out of the way.
As Brom stepped forward, he stumbled and caught the bridge keeper’s arm to support himself.
“Watch y’re step” snarled the grimy man sidling away.
“Sorry” apologised Brom, and continued over the bridge with Eragon.
“Why didn’t you haggle? He skinned you alive!” exclaimed Eragon. “He probably doesn’t even own the bridge.”
“Probably” agreed Brom.
“Then why pay him?”
“Because you can’t argue with all the fools in the world. It’s easier to let them have their way, then trick them when they’re not paying attention.” Brom opened his hand, and a pile of coins glinted in the sun.
“You cut his purse!” said Eragon incredulously. Brom pocketed the money with a wink. There was a sudden howl of anguish from the other side of the river. “I’d say our friend has just discovered his loss.”

The Ruby Knight:

Beside the ford stood a small hut. The man who owned it was a sharp eyed fellow in a green tunic who demanded a toll to cross. Rather than argue with him, Sparhawk paid what he asked. “Tell me neighbour,” he asked when the transaction was completed “how far is the Pelosian border?”
“About five leagues” the sharp eyed man replied. “If you move along, you should reach it by afternoon.”
They splashed on across the ford. When they reached the other side, Talen rode up to Sparhawk.
"Here’s your money back,” the young boy said, handing over several coins.
Sparhawk gave him a startled look.
“I don’t object to paying a toll to cross a bridge,” Talen sniffed. “After all, someone had to go to the expense of building it. That fellow was just taking advantage of a natural shallow place in the river. It didn’t cost him anything, so why should he make a profit from it?"
“You cut his purse, then?”
“Naturally.”
“And there was more in it than just my coins?”
“A bit. Let’s call it my fee for recovering your money. After all, I deserve a profit too, don’t I?”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I needed the practice.”
From the other side of the river came a howl of anguish.
“I’d say he just discovered his loss” observed Sparhawk.
“It does sort of sound that way, doesn’t it?"

I don't read much, so my favorite book would probably be 1984 out of all the books I've read

If it counts, the Zelda Manga Series.

Originally Posted by Lord Zero

I approve.

Thanks... I love the book. It kind of reminds me of one of my favorite movies/graphic novels V For Vendetta. :]

I wouldn't be surprised if many aspects of V for Vendetta were actually inspired by 1984 - most totalitarian regimes in fiction are (despite the fact that 1984 itself is based on We by Yevgeny Zamyatin).

I read inkspell too.My favorite books are:
The Harry Potter books
Septimius Heap
Bartimaeus trilogy
and much,much other books...