83 replies to this topic

[Peter Irving]

So you see I have this rule, which is to make an attempt at taking on a book or movie that is hated just to see if it really deserves such hatred/dislike so I am planning on reading Eragon by checking it out from my library. First things first how badly will my mind be  affected, and secondly is it worse then twilight?(A book I have regrettably read and found boring when it wasn't making me want to throw it against the wall from Meyers obvious lack of research on location*).

I did try this with the films Armageddon, Batman and Robin, and She-Ra the princess of power.

[dbcooper]

It's a book for young kids really, I don't think anyone over 12 years old takes it seriously.. at least I hope not.  If you have a thing where you attempt to read a book that is hated, then just do it since it's your thing.

[Jon Targaryen]

Peter Irving, on Jul 10 2009, 22.35, said:

So you see I have this rule, which is to make an attempt at taking on a book or movie that is hated just to see if it really deserves such hatred/dislike so I am planning on reading Eragon by checking it out from my library. First things first how badly will my mind be  affected, and secondly is it worse then twilight?

Don't know about Twilight, haven't read it.

Eragon is pretty predictable, largely boring stuff. No great characterization or writing. Nothing to speak of really. I would read every book in the pinned fantasy recommendation thread before Eragon.

[Revan]

I have the same thing too, I try to read or see things that are slammed, just to form my own opinion, rather than take others' for granted.

I've never heard of that book, I don't know what it's about. But I'm sure I could name hundreds of books from my country that you haven't heard of. :) And some of them are hated too.

I'd like to read Mein Kampf if I could. :)

[Black Wizard]

When I was 14/15 I read the first couple of books in the Eragorn series and I liked them. I don't think I'd be able to read the third one though because I'm probably too old for it now. It would be like reading Anthony Horowitz novels again, it just wouldn't feel right.

[Elrostar]

Given that there are so many other books out there to read, I don't see the appeal. But you might have more free time than I do :)

[Shryke]

I tried to read them a few years back. They are TERRIBLE.

It has alot of the same problems as Twilight in that it is incredibly boring.

The issue with Eragon is that it's simultaenously highly derivative, poorly written and just .. boring. It's like someone set out to write the most generic fantasy novel imaginable.

[Prince Who Was Promised]

I liked them. In 4th grade. I can't even pick them up nowadays. The author copies from everyone (putting Star Wars into a Tolkeinesque fantasy setting filled with characters that are LOTR and WoT copies), and attempts in vain to create the next great fantasy series. If you're 12 or younger, you might like it. And this is coming from a 13 year old, so....

[Shryke]

Honestly, read Eddings instead. He's just as derivative and cliched, but at least he shows some wit and some interest.

I read (well, tried in the case of Eragon) both series much later then when they are generally recommended for.

Eragon sucked balls and I couldn't even finish. Eddings, while not great, at least killed time in an entertaining manner.

Edited by Shryke, 11 July 2009 - 12:45 PM.

[Prince Who Was Promised]

Shryke, on Jul 11 2009, 12.44, said:

Honestly, read Eddings instead. He's just as derivative and cliched, but at least he shows some wit and some interest.

Amen.

[Peter Irving]

ITs my duty to understand how something can be so hated. Also I know its not just because Paolini has a reputation of being a egomaniac.

[TrueMetis]

It's an alright book when your younger, but compared to GRRM or any other more adult minded authur it's crap. That said if i do end up reading the rest of the Eragon books it will be because i'm obsessive and have to finish things even though I didn't like them just to see how they end

[Werthead]

I watched the Eragon movie and it was not that bad, which surprised me. Then I realised I was expecting it to be the worst movie ever made and instead it was merely horribly mediocre, so it was better by comparison. And only because Jeremy Irons was on good form in it (he seemed to be enjoying himself for once, as compared to his clearing only-here-for-the-money spiel in Dungeons and Dragons).

I was not moved to try the books.

[TimelessChain]

Peter Irving, on Jul 11 2009, 19.07, said:

ITs my duty to understand how something can be so hated. Also I know its not just because Paolini has a reputation of being a egomaniac.

If you really want to read it, read the entire first book so you can get the context, and in the second book skip Roran's parts, skip Eragon's traveling from the mountains to the elf city, skip anything related to poems and songs, skip the big party in which involves naked tattooed elves and read the big battles closely near the end for lulz...

"The Seven Promises of Eragon Shadeslayer and Saphira Bjartskular" has almost nothing of importance happening, so you can skip out on it and just read the wiki summary

[Max the Mostly Mediocre]

Werthead, on Jul 11 2009, 16.38, said:

. Then I realised I was expecting it to be the worst movie ever made and instead it was merely horribly mediocre, so it was better by comparison.

I'd say it was horribly boring.

[Peter Irving]

BTW I promise to not in anyway contribute to Paoliniss livlihood in anyway by barrowing the book from the library.

[Prince Who Was Promised]

Peter Irving, on Jul 11 2009, 18.07, said:

ITs my duty to understand how something can be so hated. Also I know its not just because Paolini has a reputation of being a egomaniac.

Paolini's egomatic? Really? Does it show in the interveiws or what?

[Guy Kilmore]

Prince Who Was Promised, on Jul 11 2009, 20.41, said:

Paolini's egomatic? Really? Does it show in the interveiws or what?

Yes.

Plus he lifted an entire scene from one of Eddings books.

There was a thread about it a while back.  I will see if I can dig it up.

[Darzin]

or star wars if you take out all the names and substititute lightsabers for dragons their plots are identical.

[The Pita]

I read Eragon and Eldest, loving them, right before I read AGOT (Right before. I mean, I bought Eldest and AGOT at the same time, because there was a buy 1 book get the other half off sale). They're cliche'd garbage, mostly. Brisingr is even worse than the other two. I read it a few months ago because a friend of mine's brother has it. I read it for the same reason I read TG, after book 5: Because it's fun to mock trash.

Edited by The Pita Enigma, 12 July 2009 - 05:14 AM.