The author of some of my most fondly-remembered books passed away on June 2nd. David Eddings’ Belgariad is a fine, swashbuckling fantasy adventure that captivated me as a child, and is still worth reading as an adult.
Much more original than Terry Brooks’ Shannara books, (and not creepy in retrospect like Piers Anthony’s Xanth series) the Belgariad is a fine series for young adult readers who have enjoyed The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia. They follow a boy named Garion as he discovers his true ancestry and unlocks his powers in a desperate quest against an evil overlord. (Think Prydain Chronicles for teenagers. And if you’ve never heard of Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles, drop everything and get them for your children or yourself.)
These books were so good I kept them a secret from my friends. That’s right, I couldn’t bear to share them. (Patrick, if you’re reading this, I’m very sorry.) Now that I’m all mature and whatnot, I’m sharing them with you now.
Thank you, Mr. Eddings.
h/t: Republibot
Hey Mike, you want a review copy of WEST OVERSEA? I can’t find your e-mail address, but e-mail me with your mailing address and one is yours.
Yes! Swag!
“These books were so good I kept them a secret from my friends.”
Mike has friends? That is the second most unintentionally funny line uttered here since Matt wrote about “all those girls” he’s dated.
I had a friend one time. And another another time.
That’s “friends.”
And I have two “Netflix friends,” so there!
Although now that I think about it, my Netflix friends don’t reply to my notes.
Don’t worry, Mike. You’re always among friends here.
Can you give me a lift to the airport?
And, pray tell, what else has he kept secret all these years?
I’m pretty sure I have read everything David Eddings published. Superb. He will be missed.
I wasn’t a big fan of the “Sparhawk” books, I’m afraid.
In those books, he continually had the characters use the phrase, “Sort of.” It just jumped out at me every time, because it seemed so anachronistic. The stories were fine, but that line bothered me too much.
This is sounding like my Braveheart critique, so I’ll stop.
Sure, Rufus, pal! I could make sandwiches for the ride!
How about tuna? Do you like tuna? I like tuna.
This is gonna be great! You can be in charge of the radio.
We could have shirts made up and wear them on the ride! “Best Friends” sounds good, right?
“Best Friends,” sounds good to me. But we could change it if you want.
This is gonna be great!
How about “Stupid” and “I’m With Stupid” t-shirts? Forgive me Mike. I had a relapse!
You’ll never get a tuna sandwich that way, Fritz.
I love tuna! I’m eating tuna for lunch right now. That is so weird.
wait a minute, if you and Rufus are riding in a car together, are you going to get in trouble for using the carpool lane? Cause I think one of you is imaginary.
Or maybe I’m still just sore from when you were the same person.
Tracy,
We’re both imaginary, so you have nothing to fear.
Tracy, the Fiat they’ll be riding in is imaginary too.
I just got back from the library with The Elder Gods, based on your recommendation, so I’d better like them.
Did ya miss me?
W
Tracy, I don’t think I’m supposed to talk to you. Dr. Zoon was quite clear.
I will say, for anyone who’s interested, that I have never read The Elder Gods, but that I think it’s set within the same universe as The Belgariad. I can’t vouch for its suitability for youngsters or its quality, though. (I did read Belgarath and Polgara, which were both later Eddings books as well, and thought they were very good.
I preread most things before I hand them over anyways.
Ok Ok I won’t hold you responsible if I hate them.
Okay, Dr. Zoon will never look at this old thread.
Did you ever check out any of the books I recommended back in my interview?
Are you talking to me?
Well, I don’t see anybody else around here.
(No, to Tracy. Zoon doesn’t mind me talking to you.
I never close my parentheses.
(I’m a busy man.
–Mike!
Tracy, you can most likely go to Legal Zoom and get the forms for a restraining order, if needed.
That won’t be necessary. We’re riding in a Fiat. Odds are we won’t even get out of the driveway without requiring a major repair.
Restraint by Judicial Fiat! Another step in our national decline!
I’m just replying to this to show Floyd and Mike how easily I can run 5 comments to 5 different posts on the main page, even when they are all over the site, actively commenting.
So Floyd, can you help me out with a restraining order for two imaginary guys in a Fiat?
If any of you try to check dr zoon’s g-ma out of the home, at least take her for some mac and cheese, she loves that stuff.
Don’t tell me you think Floyd exists too! Haven’t you ever heard of a Turing machine?
What?! NO!!! I just read this today. Oh, I am so sad. I absolutely LOVED these series. Each book gets progressively better, culminating in Polgara, which I thought was the crown jewel of the whole series. Loved them. Read them several times, although the genre was never a favorite. I was introduced to these books when I was dating a guy who was all wrong for me. Actually, we were just a bad match for each other. The books, however, have endured and it was worth the crappy relationship just to gain these wonderful stories.
I’ve been trying to introduce Mr. Right to these for years, but he has a hard time getting past the first book. Yes, it’s a little slow, I tell him, but stick with it! He’s too busy listening to Rush and Mark Levin. One of these days…