[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: HP readalikes - Eragon

[Laura Ingalls Huntley]

Steve:
> But isn't it fair to say that any story that falls into
> a genre is 'Predictable' and 'Derivative'. I means
> Tolkien didn't invent elves and dwarfs, and the things
> he did invent were based in legends that already
> existed.

Laura:
For me, Eragon and Eldest were "predictable" in the sense that I could 
*literally* see every single plot "twist" coming the very second the 
book had introduced all the main characters involved in it (and 
sometimes well before that point).  Paolini needs to learn subtlety, 
big time.  I felt like I was being hit over the head with a 
sledgehammer every time we met a new character.  Understandably, this 
sensation had a detrimental effect on my enjoyment of the books.

As for the "derivative" claim -- yes, you can say this about nearly any 
creative work, but I felt that a disproportionate amount of Paolini's 
ideas came directly from well-known fantasy novels.  Just the *sounds* 
of the made-up language and various place names were highly suggestive 
of Tolkien's work, for example.

I got the strong feeling while reading the books that Paolini really 
admired and was very familiar with these "giants" of fantasy 
literature, and his writing is somewhat an attempt to emulate them.  
Not that this is the worst sin a writer could commit or anything, but 
it does show that Paolini needs to grow into himself a bit, I think.

Steve:
>  Orson Scott Card and Eoin
> Colfer are a few other rousing good storytellers.

Laura:
I totally agree with you on this one, although I find putting Colfer 
and OSC in the same category a little weird -- only because Colfer is 
so light and fun, while OSC deals with some Serious Issues in his 
books. ^_^

And, really, I enjoyed Eragon and Eldest fairly well.  I own them both 
and will probably buy the next book as well.  I may even re-read them 
eventually (although I will re-read almost anything if it stays on my 
bookshelf long enough).  I'm just saying that Paolini is an immature 
and inexperienced writer, and it shows a bit around the edges.

Laura