Eldest by Christopher Paolini
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
As the first book was obviously the boyhood tale of coming of age, this second book is obviously the “empire strikes back” of the group, so far (although there are 4 books). In this one, we get the hero and his dragon mostly learning about what they need to do, being recognized (in status) by their allies, as well as the coming union between him and his cousin.
Paolini writes simply. This is easy to read and a joy to dig through. His world is rich, and lush although his narrator is still merely a vehicle for explicating the world. (Eragon doesn’t really have a personality in much the same way that Luke Skywalker doesn’t have a personality.) In many ways though, this book is really a coming of age of a boy told in a fantasy setting but with a contemporary internet twist. Much of the magic serves many internet-like functions, such as Instant messaging. The concept of the use of energy here, as derived from one’s life or the lives of others as much as our own draining of life-resources on Earth. Moreover I found that Eragon’s teacher, Oromis’s belief system is a kind of secular tech. Belief in material reality not in spiritual God-nonsense. This is a little surprising but not all that unexpected. As technology plays a greater role in our lives more than ever, it makes sense that we would look up to those who master it… not only as a purely logical function but also as an application to life, a way of life, like the Vulcans and Mr. Spock. Of course Eragon brings more of a human element to things, but that’s something we need to be able to relate to him.
And of course, as a transition text, it ends on a strangely inconclusive note. The main conflict is over, but questions are left as being even more pressing. Good job with the basics of writing, Paolini, you’ve done what you set out to do.
Perhaps a simple characterization is necessary if the widest audience is to relate to Eragon.
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