Tag Archives: david eddings

Book Review: Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

Posted in books, family, photos, travel by

I meant to post this yesterday, but best laid plans and all that. We’re currently down the country, living the dream… sea, sand & finally some rain! BLURB: A magnificent epic set against a history of seven thousand years of the struggles of Gods and Kings and men – of strange lands and events – of fate and a prophecy that must be fulfilled! THE BELGARIAD

Long ago, so the Storyteller claimed, the evil God Torak sought dominion and drove men and Gods to war. But Belgarath the Sorcerer led men to reclaim the Orb that protected men of the West. So long as it lay at Riva, the prophecy went, men would be safe.

But that was only a story, and Garion did not believe in magic dooms, even though the dark man without a shadow had haunted him for years. Brought up on a quiet farm by his Aunt Pol, how could he know that the Apostate planned to wake dread Torak, or that he would be led on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger by those he loved – but did not know? For a while his dreams of innocence were safe, untroubled by knowledge of his strange heritage. For a little while… THUS BEGINS BOOK ONE OF THE BELGARIAD’

MY THOUGHTS: I love this book. Totally adore it. It was the first title I brought with my own money, earned from a paper round (which I hated, BTW). It’s classic high fantasy, good vs evil, with a few twists & turns along the way. Recently I listened to it on Audible, with the gorgeous tones of Cameron B (think Sean Connery *sigh*). Yes, it has gaps and there is a bit of patriarchal character development, but that reflects the period of writing. After all, not many people complain about Tolkien’s writing!

Bits about Books

Posted in books, me by

I was going to do a full sub-series for April, based on books. I downloaded the prompts and all. Then I decided that no, I had enough on my plate so I’d just answer those I can right now. You might learn a little about me; you might find something to read here too. And if you can answer the questions too, please do so in the comments. I’d love some recommends too.

DAY 1. – A book series you wish had gone on longer OR a book series you wish would just end already. Like half the fantasy world, I wish George R Martin would hurry the heck up and finish the series. Who ends up on the Throne? Where can I buy a dragon? Is it practical to have a dragon and work full time (probably not).
DAY 2. – Favourite side character. This is easy. Silk, from David Eddings’ Belgariad & Mallorean series. I loved his humour, sly comments & all the things he got up to. Except when I first started reading the series I was ten, so I didn’t understand HALF the things he got up to until I was in my twenties. Slow, that’s me.
DAY 3. – The longest book you’ve read. It probably isn’t physically the longest, but Hilary Mantell’s Bringing Up the Bodies just seemed to go on and on…but I loved Wolf Hall. Not sure about watching it on TV but probably will, as Si prefers that medium.
DAY 4. – Book turned into a movie and completely desecrated. Oh please. This list would be far too long and you have a life to lead. Next!
DAY 5. – Your “comfort” book. & DAY 6. – Book you’ve read the most number of times. This is easy too – Pride & Prejudice. I would probably read this once a year. I love the flow of the words, the hidden meanings, the way Austen linked everything together & how she created some memorable characters. It’s nearly a perfect book. The BBC adaptation was nearly perfect too.

DAY 11. – Favourite classic book. DAY 20. – Favourite childhood book.Has to be Winnie the Pooh. My favourite early memories are curled up with my Gran reading AA Milne in my bed at her house in the Wellington Hills (Fantail Grove – wow I remember the name of the street!) or on the chaise. Gran’s reading-out-loud style is one I use today; I can hear her voice in the rhythm of “Disobedience”. Louise chose that as her poem for the school years ago too.
DAY 22. – Least favourite plot device employed by way too many books you actually enjoyed otherwise. Misdirection or assumption – used in far too many romance books. Often leaves the hero/heroine in the TSTL category.
DAY 30. – Book you couldn’t put down. Unbroken. Also listening – Z chose a Michael Morpulgo called Private Peaceful. It’s harrowing and topical (given that we are commemorating WWI this year and looking at the prospect of WWIII) but we couldn’t stop.

DAY 27. – Book that has been on your “to read” list the longest. To Kill A Mockingbird, preferably before the “sequel” comes out!

disobedienceDisobedience

By A. A. Milne 1882–1956

     James James
     Morrison Morrison
     Weatherby George Dupree
     Took great
     Care of his Mother,
     Though he was only three.
     James James
     Said to his Mother,
     “Mother,” he said, said he:
“You must never go down to the end of the town,
     if you don’t go down with me.”
     James James
     Morrison’s Mother
     Put on a golden gown,
     James James
     Morrison’s Mother
     Drove to the end of the town.
     James James
     Morrison’s Mother
     Said to herself, said she:
“I can get right down to the end of the town
     and be back in time for tea.”
     King John
     Put up a notice,
     “LOST or STOLEN or STRAYED!
     JAMES JAMES
     MORRISON’S MOTHER
     SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN MISLAID.
     LAST SEEN
     WANDERING VAGUELY:
     QUITE OF HER OWN ACCORD,
SHE TRIED TO GET DOWN TO THE END
     OF THE TOWN—FORTY SHILLINGS
     REWARD!”
     James James
     Morrison Morrison
     (Commonly known as Jim)
     Told his
     Other relations
     Not to go blaming him.
     James James
     Said to his Mother,
     “Mother,” he said, said he:
“You must never go down to the end of the town
     without consulting me.”
     James James
     Morrison’s mother
     Hasn’t been heard of since.
     King John
     Said he was sorry,
     So did the Queen and Prince.
     King John
     (Somebody told me)
     Said to a man he knew:
“If people go down to the end of the town, well,
     what can anyone do?”
 
    (Now then, very softly)
     J. J.
     M. M.
     W. G. Du P.
     Took great
     C/o his M*****
     Though he was only 3.
     J. J.
     Said to his M*****
     “M*****,” he said, said he:
“You-must-never-go-down-to-the-end-of-the-town-
     if-you-don’t-go-down-with ME!”

A. A. Milne, “Disobedience” from The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh. Copyright © The Trustees of the Pooh Properties reproduced with permission of Curtis Brown Limited, London.

Source: The Complete Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh (Dutton, 1998)