Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

Originally published in 2003.
Unabridged audio edition published in 2004; read by Gerard Doyle.


When we saw the movie version of Eragon last Christmas, my daughters had already read the book. My sister Emily had also read it - and raved about it. So I decided that I ought to read it. I put it on my Spring Reading Thing list in March - but didn't get to it. Then several weeks ago, I started listening to the Book on CD version while commuting. I put Eragon on my Fall into Reading list - and today, on the way home from the office, I finished it!

Because I'd already seen the movie, as I listened to the book I had the pictures in my mind already created from the images on the screen. I think it would have been fun to read the book first and create my own mental pictures. On the other hand, I enjoyed the movie version, and I heard that many adults who had already read the book despised the movie. So - I guess you'll have to decide whether you want to read the book or watch the movie first! I'm not making a recommendation.

I do think that Gerard Doyle did a great job reading the book. His various voices for the many characters were excellent - except for the voice of Saphira, who is a female dragon, but who had a very deep, raspy voice.

I didn't love this book enough to go right out to look for Eldest - the second book in the trilogy - but I suspect that I'll get to it at some point - maybe by listening to it during my commute.

You can check out the trilogy's website here.

2007.57

5 comments:

  1. I've been meaning to read this for ages, might have to put it on my Christmas list. I know what you mean about book adaptations, I usually am disappointed and think they have miscast or left the best bits out. I'm looking forward to and dreading the adaptation of Northern Lights (The Golden Compass in the US) by Philip Pullman for those reasons as I LOVED the books and really want the movie to be as good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. We really enjoyed this trilogy. Sadly the movie just didn't do it credit. In fact my oldest was really, really angry at what they did to the movie. Sigh...when you have a book that long, there has to be some adaptations...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have Eragon in my TBR but haven't watch the movie. I have Eldest too. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am super-bad YA librarian, I haven't read this yet. I'm not a fantasy fan and I've actually heard quite a few adults saying they didn't like it at all. Since it's not one I need to "sell" at the library, due to it's crazy popularity, I might try and get away with not reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi, thanks for the write up. This is one of the books on my TBR and my daughter went to see the movie. I'm not sure I want to collect the trilogy...I guess it depends on how much I like it. I finished up Water For Elephants. I think you'll like it! My review is up here

    Have a great weekend! :D

    ReplyDelete