Eragon
A farm boy bonds with a dragon and fights a tyrant king.
Eragon is the first novel in The Inheritance Cycle, written by American author Christopher Paolini. It follows a farm boy who discovers a dragon egg and becomes the last of the Dragon Riders. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a 2006 feature film.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Christopher Paolini
- Illustrator
- John Jude Palencar
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- The Inheritance Cycle
- Release number
- 1
- Genre
- Young adult
- Fantasy
- Dystopian
- Bildungsroman
- Publisher
- Paolini LLC (first edition), Alfred A. Knopf
Facts from the source article.
Background
Christopher Paolini began reading fantasy at age ten and started writing a novel at fourteen as a hobby, aiming to create a story he would enjoy. Unable to progress beyond a few pages, he studied the craft of writing and plotted the entire Inheritance Cycle series. After a month of planning, he wrote the first draft of Eragon by hand over a year, then spent another year on a second draft. His parents saw the final manuscript and decided to publish it through their home-based company, Paolini International. Paolini created the cover art featuring Saphira's eye and drew the interior maps. The family toured the United States, with Paolini giving over 135 talks at bookshops, libraries, and schools, often in medieval costume, but sales were modest. In summer 2002, novelist Carl Hiaasen's stepson bought a copy and loved it; Hiaasen brought the book to Alfred A. Knopf. Executive editor Michelle Frey contacted the Paolinis, who agreed to have Knopf publish Eragon. After further editing, Knopf released it in August 2003 with a new cover by John Jude Palencar. Paolini cites old myths, folk tales, medieval stories, Beowulf, and authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien, E. R. Eddison, David Eddings, Andre Norton, Brian Jacques, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Mervyn Peake, Ursula K. Le Guin, Frank Herbert, Philip Pullman, and Garth Nix as influences.
Plot summary
A Shade named Durza and a group of Urgals ambush three elves, killing two; the surviving elf magically teleports an egg away before being captured and imprisoned in Gil'ead. Fifteen-year-old Eragon lives with his uncle Garrow and cousin Roran on a farm near Carvahall. While hunting, he sees an explosion and finds a blue dragon egg, which hatches into a dragon that bonds with him, leaving a silver mark on his hand. He names the dragon Saphira after a name mentioned by the storyteller Brom. Eragon raises Saphira in secret until King Galbatorix's servants, the Ra'zac, arrive. Eragon and Saphira escape to the Spine, but Garrow is fatally wounded and the farm burned. Brom insists on joining them and gives Eragon the sword Zar'roc. Through his bond with Saphira, Eragon becomes a Dragon Rider, the only one besides Galbatorix, who killed all other Riders a century ago with the Forsworn. Brom teaches Eragon sword fighting, magic, the ancient language, and Rider ways. They travel to Teirm, meet Brom's friend Jeod, and have Eragon's fortune told by the witch Angela; her companion Solembum gives cryptic advice. With Jeod's help they track the Ra'zac to Dras-Leona but are forced to flee. That night they are ambushed; a stranger named Murtagh rescues them, but Brom is mortally wounded. Brom reveals he was once a Dragon Rider with a dragon named Saphira, then dies. Saphira encases Brom in a diamond tomb.
Reception
Eragon received generally mixed reviews, with criticism of its derivative nature. Liz Rosenberg of The New York Times Book Review noted clichéd descriptions, B-movie dialogue, and awkward prose, but called it an authentic work of great talent. School Library Journal found the magic solutions too convenient. Common Sense Media described the dialogue as long-winded and clichéd, and the plot as straight out of Star Wars by way of The Lord of the Rings, but acknowledged the book as a notable achievement for a young author that younger fans would appreciate. Favorable reviews highlighted the characters and plot. IGN's Matt Casamassina called the book entertaining and said Paolini knows how to hold the reader's attention. Chris Lawrence of About.com thought it had all the traditional ingredients of an enjoyable fantasy novel, calling it a fun, quick, exciting read packed with action and magic, rating it 3.8/5. The book was the third-best-selling children's hardback of 2003 and the second-best-selling children's paperback of 2005, spending 121 weeks on the New York Times Children's Books Best Seller list. In 2006 it won a Nene Award from the children of Hawaii, the Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award, and the Young Reader's Choice Award.
Adaptations
A film adaptation of Eragon was released in the United States on December 15, 2006. Plans were announced in February 2004 when 20th Century Fox purchased the rights. The film was directed by first-time director Stefen Fangmeier and written by Peter Buchman. Edward Speleers played Eragon; Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich, Chris Egan, and Djimon Hounsou joined the cast. Principal photography took place in Hungary and Slovakia. The film received mostly negative reviews, with a 16% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the tenth worst of 2006. The Seattle Times called it technically accomplished but lifeless and silly. The Hollywood Reporter said the world lacked texture and depth. The Washington Post labeled the story derivative; the Las Vegas Weekly called it generic. Newsday asserted only nine-year-olds ignorant of Star Wars would find it original. Acting was described as lame, stilted, and lifeless; dialogue as silly and wooden. Positive reviews called it fun and the stuff of boys' fantasies, with imaginative CGI and a magnificent Saphira. Paolini said he enjoyed the film, praising Jeremy Irons and Ed Speleers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who published Eragon?
Eragon was published by Paolini LLC (first edition), Alfred A. Knopf.
Which book follows Eragon?
Eragon is followed by Eldest.
More in American Fantasy Novels Adapted Into Films
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced