The world of fantasy lost a beloved writer, when author David Eddings passed away on June 2, 2009. Best known for writing The Belgariad and The Mallorean series, Eddings was one of only a few fantasy authors whose works I collected and enjoyed over the years. I loved to see the massive hard cover books displayed so prominently in the fantasy section of my library, and have been delighted to share his books with readers of a younger generation in order to turn them on to the fantasy genre and perhaps spur them on to a love of reading.
What makes The Belgariad most suitable for young readers is that its hero, Garion, is a young farm boy who is suddenly and reluctantly drawn into adventure and greatness through prophecy. His aunt Polgara, who raised him, grandfather Belgarath, and their whole family of sorcerers, aids him on his journeys. Belgarath has a Gandalf-like vibe about him and Polgara is a no-nonsense sorceress whose relationship with Garion becomes strained when he learns of their magical nature. Throughout the series, we see Garion grapple with the everyday struggles of adolescence as well as deal with the newly found information that he comes from a family of sorcerers. We share in his internal questioning of who he is and who he is to become, and watch as he reacts and adapts to the changes in his simple life brought about by the prophecy to ultimately grow into a man and a king. Young readers can certainly empathize with the changes and paces that our reluctant hero has to undergo.
The Mallorean series continues the story of Garion and his family after he has become a king, and relates to another prophecy. These books were followed by a series of prequels that include Belgarath, The Sorcerer and Polgara, The Sorceress. Eddings also completed The Rivan Codex, a summary of the history, gods and people of the Belgariad/Mallorean world.
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Article comments
1 - Jimmy
I was a huge fan of Eddings work when I was younger. When I got older and reread the works I didn't find that as enjoyable but they were still great fantasy with a lot of originality. Fantasy has certainly lost one of its greats. Few authors these days can garner the sales this man and his contemporaries did.