[phil_geo]

So I see a lot of people loving David Eddings around here, and I had a question.

I read the Belgariad back in the mid-80s, and thought it was quite the good read. I then picked up the first couple of books in the Mallorean in the late 80s, and they seemed so similar! They almost seemed like a retelling of the Belgariad with different characters if I recall correctly. I put it down and never read Eddings again.

So my question is: Did I write this guy off too soon? Was the Mallorean one of his weaker works, and his other stuff is incredible, or did I not get far enough into the Mallorean? I think I got halfway through the second book when I put it down. Don't get me wrong, I thought the Belgariad was excellent, but I just started thinking of him as a one-hit-wonder kind of author. Opinions?

[Rob B]

David Eddings is best Fantasy Writer of all time. (http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000359.html) and old topic about Mr. Eddings.

From what I hear he does do just that: writing the same exact story and simply changing the names in each story.

[ChrisW]

Ya if ya have read one you have read them all. Though I must say I did enjoy his books when I first read them and really didnt notice how similair they were. That changed when I read Redemption of Althus(er what ever the name is). I didnt even manage to finish it http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/frown.gif.

[Belgarion]

I will only say this once!

David Eddings has never re-written any stories over again. The plots are different for every book. The only thing that remains constant over the books/series are SOME of the characters and the lands that they stroll around.

David Eddings deliberately wrote more books over the SAME lands and PLACES so that we can revisit all the characters and the histories to see what has developed since the last visit. His secret style of writing is by using NOSTAGLISM which is the main reason why I loved the books and series. You get to see how the many cultured and different lands with different infrastructure of politics/social/economic factors are developed. You get to READ 10 books on the development of the character SILK as well. How many books does this?

Even anti-Eddings fans love SILK. Who doesn't.

I have no problem with people putting down Eddings. We all need to respect other people opinions. BUT WHAT ANNOYS ME IS THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING HE IS A BAD AUTHOR DUE TO DUPLICATION OF PLOTS which is absolutely nonsense!

FitzFlagg, my dear friend, I beleive you never read the series (If I am mistaken, I apologise in advance) and only inherented the anti-Eddings comments by listening to other people comments. PLEASE read the series yourself and decide for yourself. If you still hate it, that is fine. No problem!

Gotta go and read the History of the Runestaff by the excellent Michael Moorcock.

[polgara]

Jeez do you ever shut up Eddings is like a stuck record he doesnt have any new ideas so he repeats himself!

[This message has been edited by polgara (edited October 04, 2001).]

[FitzChivalry]

Keep in mind that Belgarion is David Eddings' grandson and he isn't very objective about him.

[allanon]

Eddings is one of the best IMHO. He is a must read,one of the biggest legends in the genre.

[Penumbra]

Ah, Eddings. One of the Gods..... of formula writing in which the plots are worked out by random electronic generators and the writer simply has to fill in new names and places like a Louis Lamour western. Futile fantasy, infantile imagination, diluted drama and entirely forgettable.

[Belgarion]

Polgara,

My dear mother, I am frankly disappointed with you. When you first came to this website, you praised Eddings very highly. Then within 2 weeks by the influence of the anti-Eddings tribe you changed your mind drastically. How can you be so fickle?

By the way put the dear kettle on mother. Two sugars and semi-skimmed milk please.

[Rob B]

Belgarion:

Exactly what I typed above:

From what I hear he does do just that: writing the same exact story and simply changing the names in each story.

I didn't say I knew from experience.

I will agree with what you said about polgara, she was a praiser of Eddings a while ago.

Truth be told, I've been considering trying Eddings for the simple fact that I can say I have read him, despite the fact that many people who have given me great recommendations have suggested I don't try him and it's not worth it.

Then again, since there is so much other stuff that I want to read rather than just reading to say "I read him," I'll pass.