The Belgariad: Pawn of Prophecy
For whatever reason, I felt compelled to "go home again."
Disclaimer: I often say that watching the Star Wars films is like "going home again." I have several homes.
As what happens, often I feel the need to go back to the Vale of Aldur. I miss many of the characters like I miss my friends. So, I picked up my well-worn copy of the first book in The Belgariad and dived in to Faldor's farm. I got reacquainted with young Garion, his Aunt Pol, and the mysterious storyteller known as Old Wolf.
It occurred to me while I was reading that jumping in is such a wonderful thing. These books are a comfort zone, a place to unwind in, a world with its own troubles and tribulations that must be endured by our preteen protagonist. (Editor's note: this series predates the "young teen" genre push of the early 2000s.)
I don't know why the series isn't as popular as other fantasy series. I do know that there will probably never be a live action series because Master Eddings never wanted the series to be exploited that way. The series has a plethora of characters to appeal to everyone. The young hero is likable enough but he is not my favorite character in the series.
The first book opens with a prologue that explains the history of the world. It's epic in its scope and involves Gods and sorcerers and brave men and the mysterious Orb of Aldur. The first chapter begins simply enough, recounting the first memories of young Garion. Memories of a farm, his guardian, and the quiet life he has known.
It doesn't take too long for the world to expand for Garion. Soon, he finds himself in the midst of a quest to retrieve something that was stolen. We meet Polgara, the good smith Durnik, the enigmatic Old Wolf, the thief Silk, and the giant Barak. We leave the comforts of the farm and head off to see the marvelous world Master Eddings created, the good and bad, the beautiful and terrible. We marvel as Garion does, even though some of it is frightening.
It took me about three days on and off to finish the first book again. (I reread these books every two years or so.) I am now in the midst of rereading Queen of Sorcery, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. (Another strange thing that happens is when I read these, I am reminded of events that are explained in the two biography novels and have to jump to them to read and enjoy. Don't most people read a few books at a time?)
Favorite moments from this book:
Reading and realizing that Durnik is madly in love with Polgara. When events occur and allow Polgara to change from peasant dress to regal clothes, she chooses a blue gown that makes Durnik gasp. (Blue is Polgara's color.)
The beautiful sparring moments between Old Wolf (aka Belgarath) and Polgara.
Crossing the Maelstrom of the Cherek Bore.
Polgara curing the old witch, Martje's blindness.
The boar hunt and Barak's "doom."
Disclaimer: I often say that watching the Star Wars films is like "going home again." I have several homes.
As what happens, often I feel the need to go back to the Vale of Aldur. I miss many of the characters like I miss my friends. So, I picked up my well-worn copy of the first book in The Belgariad and dived in to Faldor's farm. I got reacquainted with young Garion, his Aunt Pol, and the mysterious storyteller known as Old Wolf.
It occurred to me while I was reading that jumping in is such a wonderful thing. These books are a comfort zone, a place to unwind in, a world with its own troubles and tribulations that must be endured by our preteen protagonist. (Editor's note: this series predates the "young teen" genre push of the early 2000s.)
I don't know why the series isn't as popular as other fantasy series. I do know that there will probably never be a live action series because Master Eddings never wanted the series to be exploited that way. The series has a plethora of characters to appeal to everyone. The young hero is likable enough but he is not my favorite character in the series.
The first book opens with a prologue that explains the history of the world. It's epic in its scope and involves Gods and sorcerers and brave men and the mysterious Orb of Aldur. The first chapter begins simply enough, recounting the first memories of young Garion. Memories of a farm, his guardian, and the quiet life he has known.
It doesn't take too long for the world to expand for Garion. Soon, he finds himself in the midst of a quest to retrieve something that was stolen. We meet Polgara, the good smith Durnik, the enigmatic Old Wolf, the thief Silk, and the giant Barak. We leave the comforts of the farm and head off to see the marvelous world Master Eddings created, the good and bad, the beautiful and terrible. We marvel as Garion does, even though some of it is frightening.
It took me about three days on and off to finish the first book again. (I reread these books every two years or so.) I am now in the midst of rereading Queen of Sorcery, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress. (Another strange thing that happens is when I read these, I am reminded of events that are explained in the two biography novels and have to jump to them to read and enjoy. Don't most people read a few books at a time?)
Favorite moments from this book:
Reading and realizing that Durnik is madly in love with Polgara. When events occur and allow Polgara to change from peasant dress to regal clothes, she chooses a blue gown that makes Durnik gasp. (Blue is Polgara's color.)
The beautiful sparring moments between Old Wolf (aka Belgarath) and Polgara.
Crossing the Maelstrom of the Cherek Bore.
Polgara curing the old witch, Martje's blindness.
The boar hunt and Barak's "doom."
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