- Title:
- Eragon
- Author:
- Christopher Paolini
- Release:
- April 13, 2009
- Format:
- Audiobook
- Narrator:
- Gerard Doyle
- Series:
- Inheritance Cycle, Book 1
As I do, I make my bias’ known at the start of my reviews. This is one of my flavorite books (and series) of all time. Christopher Paolini has been one of my flavorite authors since 2008. That being said, if you think I hold anything sacred, you need only read my review of The Fork, The Witch and The Worm.
I don’t remember the last time I read Eragon, I read and re-read the book numerous times in high school, from August 2008 to early 2010. The last time I read/listened to Inheritance was in 2013 or 2014. I was long overdue for a re-read.
Some of the things that surprised me the most were the amount of world-building and attention to detail. Everything feels incredibly fleshed out and well done. It’s one of those rare books where the characters feel like real people and not mannequins who are summoned as the plot needs them. Characters have backstories and feelings, hopes, and desires.
Eragon goes on an epic journey with ups and downs, triumphs and defeat. While the characters are relatively few and far between, the background characters feel equally as real and fleshed out. Many I know return later in the series so nothing feels like a waste of time in this story.
I’ve expanded my own vocabulary a great deal since I last read this book. I was consistently surprised by the seldom-used and eclectic words Paolini dotted throughout the book. I know there are several versions of Eragon, I’m unsure if the extensive vocabulary Paolini flaunts in this book was in the original. Perhaps someday, I shall do a cumparison review.
The narration was excellent. There weren’t any instances of repeated dialogue, mouse clicks or, other odd noises so commonly found in Audible recordings. I’d only previously heard half of Inheritance in audiobook form when I found it on YouTube back in 2013/2014. Originally, I disliked Saphira’s voice. I always imagined her sounding more feminine. This time around, however, it really didn’t seem as big of a deal to me. While some things are lost while listening to an audiobook; such as the map or the language guide found in the back of the book; I feel the intended pronunciation of words makes up for it to some degree.
While I did go into this listen and review as a long-time fan, I feel that my bias has little effect on my end suggestion. I haven’t read this book since 2013 and I feel it still holds up as well as it ever has. Whether you’ve been a fan for years or you’re new to this series, I think the audiobook is worth picking up alongside the physical copy. Not only for the convenience of listening to such a long book, when you may not have the time or inclination to read it (guilty). The benefit of being able to hear the correct pronunciation of names is another selling point for me.