First of all, I like fantasy. I’m a Tolkien fanatic, and I’ve read and enjoyed Anne McCaffrey, Lloyd Alexander, C.S. Lewis, Ursula LeGuin, Stephen Lawhead, Carol Kendall, and John Christopher, to name a few favorites. However, I don’t like fantasy that gets too New Age-y or heretical. It doesn’t have to have Christian themes, but I prefer that it not be blatantly anti-Christian. (I will admit that I’ve never read Harry Potter nor have I read the Dark Materials books by Pullman because I was afraid both series would be just “off” enough to annoy me. Please don’t beat me up (figuratively) for not reading these. I know I may be wrong about either or both series.) So when I heard about Eragon,, a very popular fantasy novel mostly about dragons, I adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Dragons can be used to glorify evil in the wrong author’s hands.
Well, I was pleasantly surprised by Eragon. I wouldn’t say that the novel was profound or made me think deep thoughts, but it was a really good story, as advertised. I can see Tolkien influences in it as well as some resemblance to Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series, but Eragon is not a cheap copy of anyone else’s fantasy as far as I can tell. Christopher Paolini, a homeschooled teenager when he wrote the book, knows how to tell an absorbing story that kept me reading until after midnight last night just to see what would happen to Eragon and his dragon friend Saphira.
Maybe you already know the story of the writing and publication of Eragon: Christopher Paolini finished homeschool high school at age fifteen. He could have gone to college, but he decided to wait a while and write a book instead. He read books about writing, wrote his own book, and then showed it to his parents who owned a small publishing company. Christopher’s parents published the novel, and Christopher himself went on an author tour in the Northwest where his family lives to promote the book. Someone with connections in the publishing world read the book and liked it, and Knopf (Random House) re-published the book. It became a best-seller in 2003-4.
Eragon is the first book in a projected trilogy called the Inheritance trilogy. I will be getting the other two books in the series when they’re published in order to find out what happens next in the land of Alagaesia. I will also suggest that Computer Guru Son read this book. He’s been reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in anticipation of the release of the much-hyped movie version. He really should like Eragon. (By the way, Eragon is also supposed to be made into a movie to be released this year some time.)
I really enjoyed Eragon too. It was a bit of a slog in the beginning but then the story pulled me in. The sequel, Eldest(with a red cover) will be out in August.
His Dark Materials: The books are original and unlike any other books I have ever read. I really like the first two. The Amber Spyglass is more like Milton’s Paradise Lost than high fantasy and is not a book I will probably ever re-read.
Harry P.: As a Christian, I find the Christian imagery in JKRowlings books moving and overwhelming. Rowling emphasizes the importance of love, family, selflessness and friendship. The early books are the ones my family finds itself re-re-re-reading.There is no doubt the latest books are suffering a bit from “Tom Clancy’s Disease,” (author so famous, books cannot be edited) but I find that I care about the characters so much, I want to see their story through to the end.
I caught an interview with Rowling years ago when she mentioned that her favorite book as a girl was “The Little White Horse” by Elizabeth Goudge. I was “gobsmacked” as that had been a favorite of mine as well and I had never ever met another person who knew about that book.
I will never meet her but I will always feel like I “know” her a somewhat because we share that book. She is worthy.
Regarding Harry Potter, I agree with Camille; there’s nothing objectionable in them (unless you’re the sort of Christian who finds any kind of fantasy literature highly suspect) and much that is good.
Regarding Pullman’s His Dark Materials…. Pullman’s a good writer and storyteller, and though I could tell even in the first book that he had an anti-Christian slant I was looking forward to an entertaining and intellectually stimulating ride. By the third book, though, his personal antipathy to Christianity overwhelms his story-telling. The book becomes a mere screed; and though it portrays an intellectual and “spiritual” victory over the forces of “religion”, the religion in question is an absurd strawman at best. The pathetic bit is, he gave it his best shot. He honestly doesn’t understand how anyone with any intellectual integrity can believe in that religious nonsense. Yet another example of “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”
Will has the right word to descibe it, “screed.” I enjoyed the first two books so much that a dear friend went to great trouble to obtain a UK first edition of The Amber Spyglass and have Pullman autograph it to me.
Later Pullman went off his nut when President Bush was reelected and said so many ugly things that it REALLY ruined the books for me. The first two books were so original, sometimes authors run out of ideas.
Sherry, have you read _A Landscape With Dragons_ by Michael O’Brien? I have a review of it on my site. Your comment about dragons made me think of it. I have also linked to a couple of interviews with him about why he appreciates Tolkien and Lewis, evaluating their use of Christian themes, and why he does not like Harry Potter. I, for one, am a person who can appreciate fantasy and science fiction but still see problems with Potter. As a mother of boys who have been fascinated with fantasy literature, I also understand the dangers of unrestricted reading in that genre.
Yes, Carmon, I have read the book by O’Brien, and that is where I got the idea that the dragon as a symbol can be improperly wielded, so to speak. I’m not sure I agree with his idea that dragons must always be evil or symbolic of evil, but I do see that too much reading of fantasy literature can create an unhealthy interest in magic, especially with young boys. That is the problem I’ve seen with Harry Potter, although I tend to think that for older people the Harry Potter books might be just a good story similar to Eragon, the book that started this discussion.
We also read the book and enjoyed it. There were a few parts that I didn’t care for, but that is the beauty of a read aloud! I saw him interviewed on Letterman and he was obviously a homeschooled child. He told Letterman that he had purchased for himself a forge to make swords, etc. It was hilarious to see Letterman’s face. Paolini was gracious and intelligent and I look forward to his next book.
Oh yes, I posted about new contests on the TOS site. You might be interested.
Warmly,
Kate
i see that the book , is very well known to you people. I heard about Erag0n yesterday , from a magazine , there was 2 pages about that book , and it must be really great , but as you , here , done , you compear this book (Erag0n) with Harry Potter ! this is wrong , my opinion is that every book has its soul, something which is different in every book, especial Erag0n which as i read here in the magazine is about a boy with a dragon and … Anyway after i will read the book i ll know more 😉
i read that book !! it was GREAT !!! and i am TELLING TO EVERY ONE TO READ IT EVEN IF HE DONT LIKE FANTSTIC FICTION !!!!!!!!!!!!
I have just finished reading Eldest and how fantastic was it!
I really found that i was transported into the book and really cared about the characters. The inheritance trilogy is definetly a must read for all those who enjoy books full of magic and adventure.
The book is an atheistic appologetic. There are subtle, but very specific jabs in the book eragon against Christian theology. There are unsubtle arguments against faith at all that are very eloquent and blatant in eldest. Its believable that mr Pulliam has been exposed to and rejected God.
I am a Chrisytian School Teacher who teaches High School Literature. I have read both Eldest and Eragon and found them full of “magic,” the magic that can capture a young reader and transport his/her imagination to new levels. I did notr find any part of them to be anti-christian in the ideas presented in the text. I am of the opinion that a good read is a good read and these are definitely good reads. I am utilizing Eragon in my classes as a Pop-Fiction selection and will be integrating the book with christian world views. I understant the idea that creating interest in teens could draw them to an inteerest in the occult and beyond, but I really feel that if you can capture the imagination of a child you can expect ghreat things from them if their creativity is directed correctly.
I have just started Eragon and am only in the first two hundred pages. The book was highly recommended to me, and I expect to like it, but I can clearly see non-Christian beleifs. Around page 92, Saphira gives Eragon some philosophy; 1. the only true guide is your heart, 2. Nothing less than your heart’s supreme desire can help you and 3. the worth of life is in action, it doesn’t matter what the action is.
That’s a paraphrase, so don’t quote me on it!
By the way, I strongly agree with Camille about the Harry Potter books! “I find the Christian imagery in JKRowlings books moving and overwhelming. Rowling emphasizes the importance of love, family, selflessness and friendship.”
I am a Christian student with a love for allegories and deeper meanings in literature, such as Tolkien’s and C.S. Lewis’. I began to read Eragon warily, not knowing exactly what to expect, hoping for some depth and good literature. However, I have not found anything significant or particularly Christian about them. They are to me “just books” like most things you read. I don’t know if I’ll finish Eragon, especially after reading some comments on how he eventually sneaks in subtle jabs at Christianity and seems to lean toward atheism. However, I suppose it is a great accomplishment for Paulini to stir up such a windstorm on his book, so I’ll give him congradulations….whoever says he’s the next Tolkien–we’ll take this outside….
I agree that HP has Christian themes – I’ll go a step farther and say that I believe JK Rowling is writing Christian allegory!
I also agree that there are strong anti-Christian declarations in Eragon and more particularly in Eldest. It didn’t stop me from enjoying the books, but it made me very sad for the author and concerned for young readers who might model themselves after his “thinking.” IMO, the “intellectual” seems to find no need for God. But the truly intelligent will seek him and depend on him, because they see their own limitations. Here’s hoping CP learns to reject intellectualism, and seeks intelligence.
The Book was amazing. I don’t think that the Christian beliefs or some others are required when writing the book
I loved Eragon. I just saw the movie and I thought it was great even though they left out a lot of stuff. I was worried it would be a lot of Harry Potter since I personally think the Harry Potter books are filled with a little too much sorcery. (that’s going to get a lot of flak I know, lol) However, my parents especially my dad thought Eragon was filled with a lot of and maybe too much fantasy. On the other hand, he is a little wary towards anything that is like Lord of the Rings (which I loved) I want to try to convince him that everything that is fantasy is not anti-Christian. Could anyone give me advice?
ok so i read eragon and eldest and am reading them again. I do see some of the anti-Christianity in it but I also see some sympathy toward Christianity as a whole. If you look at eldest, and im paraphrasing, I think that Eragon wonders to himself after being told that the Elves dont really have a religion: how it could be possible that someone wouldnt believe in at least something! As a true Christian I I am wary of where he is going but am still trying to find the complete answer in his text!
I think the only way one could tell whetere Paolini is anti-Christian is by hearing it from his mouth! I honestly dont think there is enough in the text to tell! I wish I knew where I could email or write to him, does anyone know?????
to: ‘Love Books!’
about your parents’ wearyness; Tell your parents to go read a biography on J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis. They were both Christians–and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was basicly the story of Jesus’ crusifiction! Now although Tolkien’s books may not be so upfront with Christian material, he deffinately isn’t pro-occult.
back up to that comment made by ‘Alana’; you said that in Eragon these themes were mentioned:
1. the only true guide is your heart, 2. Nothing less than your heart’s supreme desire can help you and 3. the worth of life is in action, it doesn’t matter what the action is.
–I don’t know how much you know about Christianity, so I’m just going to act like you know nothing.(I’ll reflect on your comments with the same numbers used) 1.Your heart=your spirit. Our spirit is connected with the Holy Spirit, which is how you hear/sense from God. So realy, that is pro-Cristian! 2. God gives us the desires of our heart to be used for his will. For instance, I love music with a passion. There is no doubt in my mind that the reason I love it is because God put that desire there to be used in some way for him. So, we as Christians follow our hearts desire. (btw, lusting for something is completely different-that’s the conterfeit) 3. I’m not sure what you were trying to say here, your statement was sort of hard to understand.
…anyway forum, we can sceptisise and assume all we want, but I agree with ‘Chase’, we can’t realy know until we actualy know! Sorry Chase, I’m not sure how to get in touch with him. Just try to do a search on the net for a contact. try also to look for interviews with questions related to the topic at hand-some biographies may even have it in there.
while I’m here, does anyone know if Eldest is being made into a film currently? I haven’t realy heard anything about it yet.
I absolutely loved both the Eragon and Eldest novels. I couldn’t put them down. I have re-read and re-read them, and am waiting anxiously for the third installment. Will there be a third one, and if so, does anyone know when it may be released? I am going nuts waiting!! It’s like a show that I have missed and they won’t show a re-run!!! Also, I am a Christian, and I love both The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter!!! I dive in to their worlds and get away from my troubles!! It’s relaxing and peaceful to not think of the troubles in the world today, so why not enjoy fantasy when it’s right there for us to enjoy. It doesn’t make me believe the the Lord Jesus any less!!! 🙂
Cheers Everyone!!
I really liked the inheritance series. I thought that they were very good. I have actualy read Eragon and about half of Eldest.
Read both Eragon and Eldest. Like fantasy. Both show promise. Yes, there are definite references to atheism, polytheism and superstition. I believe the books and in particular the elfs’ beliefs tend to reflect the young author’s own leanings. Although I wager he is still searching.
The magic, as always, leaves me somewhat unsettled as with any novel dealing with magic. My Christian sensibilities are left feeling uneasy.
Would not recommend to children.
This is a very interesting forum. The reason that I found it was because after reading Eldest for the second time, I really wanted to know about Paolini’s worldview. The elves in Eldest certainly do espouse an atheistic worldview that is sad. I don’t begrudge Paolini the ability to create his world in whatever way he desires, and if he wants to create a world without a God then that is his choice as the author, but it makes for a very bleak world. It seems that the dwarves, who believe in gods, are made to look like fools by the intellectual elves. The humans don’t really know what they believe and have no belief system and Eragon finds it very easy to believe that there is nothing after this present life. We cannot know that purpose behind Paolini’s creation of this world until he finishes his works (it is going to be 4 books now, not 3), but it certainly appears that he leans toward atheism.
As an adult with very firm beliefs, this is not troubling for me, but the target audience for these books is teenagers who are very impressionable. I have recently come to believe that fantasy is an excellent venue for detailing morality and belief, it is sad and unfortunate Paolini appears to be using this venue to espouse humanism (or elvenism;)…
Cheers, cjk
I have read all three books now.And they were amazing.!! I am a firm believer forever and always. But i never found anything that really goes against any religon. But thats my opinion…So i will wait for the 4th one and we will go from there. Remember keep the Lord close and ‘love the sinner but hate the sin’
Rayne~
im almost done with the third book i loved hte series
Just a word:
On a whole the Eragon cycle is an excellent story so far. It has some fleshed out characters, a good stance on right and wrong, and reiterates many good values. While lacking any real depth in the sense of presenting some complex, deep, though-provoking, underlying theme in which the author wishes to convey to the reader, you remain engaged with the characters. Yet, on the flip-side it does introduce agnostic/atheistic, and even, naturalistic views. While it is not a presiding theme Paolini most certainly seems to portray this view more highly above the others which could be impressionable for more unguarded readers. (In other words, the Elves who are “cool” have got it “right” while the Dwarves and Men are “silly” have got it “wrong”.) Still, as I have not seen Eragon go on to possess this view personally, it is not so blatant as to be unbearable or taxing or over-all concerned with it. (Although this might change as the character’s own development is being presented in searching out his own spiritual stance by the end of the fourth book.) Still, he seems to counter-balance this well enough through the introducing the notion of a soul or spirits introducing the possibility of things outside the naturalistic realm. To summarize there is much that can be drawn as positive in the outlook of the cycle, and a good a read furthermore to relate to perhaps your non-Christian friends, and even introduce Jesus Christ, as long as you remain guarded to some of Paolini’s themes.