Eragon

Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
ISBN: 0439244196 (Audio Book)
Narrator: Gerard Doyle

Other Books in Series: Eldest, Brisingr
Plot Summary: Eragon, an orphaned young man, lives with his uncle and cousin in a small town in the country of Alagaesia, ruled over by a tyrannical king. When Eragon finds a mysterious stone in the Spine, a forested mountain range near his village, he is stunned when it hatches into a dragon, whom he raises and names Sephira. When word gets back to the king's soldiers, they burn Eragon's uncle's house searching for the dragon, killing his uncle, Garrow, in the process. Dragons and their riders possess a psychic bond; through this bond, Sephira is able to instruct Eragon in the skills and responsibilities befitting his new status. As he and Sephira travel to find a group of rebels dedicated to defeating the king, they meet new traveling companions, rescue a beautiful and powerful female elf, battle and battle with the race of dwarves against evil sorcerers known as Shades and an orc-like race called Urgals, who serve the king. During his adventures, Eragon finds out about the history of dragons and their riders, as well as one who bore his name.


Critical Evaluation: Christopher Paolini began writing this book at age 15. Although it is remarkably sophisticated work for a teenage author, the book suffers from faults common to many fantasy novels: stilted dialogue, overdone exposition, a slightly derivative plot, and characters who, although they do have more than one dimension, frequently veer towards the archetypal. That said, the author has clearly put a significant amount of effort into world-building, and his protagonists are compelling and sympathetic. Sephira, in particular, is a fascinating character, often more so than her rider, and demonstrates that dragons can be more than simple, fire-breathing beasts. Gerard Doyle imbues each character he narrates with distinct personalities, although Sephira's voice is a bit jarring, and brings to life the story's most compelling aspects.
Reader's Annotation: When a poor village boy finds a mysterious stone in a nearby forest, he scarcely realizes that the dragon who lies inside will not only become a friend, ally and companion to him, but will help lead him off on a quest that will ultimately change the very nature of the world he inhabits.

About the Author: Christopher Paolini was born in Southern California in 1983, and was raised in Montana with his younger sister by his parents. Paolini was home-schooled, and graduated from high school at age 15 via an accredited correspondence course. After graduation, he began working on a fantasy novel, long a favorite genre of his, eventually finishing and publishing Eragon, the first novel in his Inheritance trilogy. Paolini also designed the cover art for the book's first edition. Initially published by his parents' own company, Eragon was picked up by a major publisher, Knopf, after author Carl Hiaasen's stepson, who loved the book, brought it to his attention. Knopf also published the other two books in the trilogy, and Eragon was eventually made into a major motion picture. Paolini has toured extensively to promote his books and the Eragon film, and is currently at work on the next book in the Inheritance cycle.

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Curriculum Ties: None

Booktalking Ideas:

Hook: Eragon and Sephira have namesakes in the past, who were also dragon and rider.
Approach: Plot and character-based.
Ideas for Booktalk: The Eragon in the past is an established figure with a strong mythology surrounding him. Was Eragon specifically named for him? When Eragon names his dragon Sephira, he does not yet know the history behind the name, yet it seems right to him for some reason. Eragon's and Sephira's relationship in the present day, develops at the same time as he finds out more about the dragon and rider of the past. How does this affect the present day relationship?

Hook: Eragon attempts to create the same psychic bond with Arya as he has with Sephira - and gets more than he bargained for.
Approach: Scene-based.
Ideas for Booktalk: Arya has mental barriers set up as a result of her torture. Sephira and Eragon are supposed to have a bond; although he does not intend harm, Eragon basically invades Arya's mind without her prior knowledge or consent. How does this affect him? How does it affect her? Discuss the ways that his ability to "speak" with Arya despite her unconscious state helps to advance the plot. Despite being able to communicate with him, she still needs to heal physically.

Reading Level/Interest Age: High School

Challenge Issues: Violence, witchcraft, character death.
Although Eragon does not name any specific religion, characters of different races subscribe to their own mythologies, gods, and forms of ritual. As it takes place in a time and place prone to conflict, there is much violence and bloodshed in the book, which does not shy away from killing - or, in Eragon's case, almost killing - characters when the story demands it. In a broader sense, though, Eragon's quest may be seen as one of searching for something to believe in, be it a cause, a greater form of faith, or an overlying sense of duty. Although the violent content is not excessive, the book does not pretend that true change, at least in Alagaesia, can come about without some form of conflict. As such, although these scenes may not be appropriate for younger or more sensitive readers, they are integral both to the plot and to the world the characters inhabit.

Why I Chose This Book: Christopher Paolini has not denied being influenced by more established fantasy writers in creating his Inheritance series; neither has he claimed any special literary skill despite having written Eragon while still in his teens. As he does not deny his own shortcomings as a writer, it is easier for the reader to forgive his occasional literary flaws, particularly given that so many adult fantasy writers fall into the same traps. Eragon is by no means a perfect, or even entirely original, work. However, if accepted on its own terms, it has much to offer the reader or listener, including a strongly-conceived universe, compelling main characters, and a plot that leaves open the possibility of future adventures in the same vein.