This week I read Eragon, by Chrisopher Paolini. I actually don't particularly enjoy the setting in which there are are knights and kingdoms (because I've just seen so many that bore me), but I actually really enjoyed this book. This fantasy book fits the hero's journey pretty well, as it is about a farm boy who finds a dragon egg, which is very, very rare. This story could be summed up simply with just a few sentences:
Once upon a time, there was a farm boy named Eragon.
Then one day, he finds a dragon egg in a forest. (Inciting incident)
Because of this, Ra'zac(assassins) come and try to find the egg. They kill Eragon's uncle.
Because of this, Eragon vowes revenge (call to action) and travels with his dragon, Saphira (supernatural aid/helper), and Brom, his mentor.
Because of this, the evil shade, Durza, finds out about them. He sends the Ra'zac and other minions to kill them.
Because of this, Eragon discovers he is magical, and has more supernatural aid. (Start of transformation)
Because of this, they get hunted even more, and Brom dies.
Because of this, Brom gets replaced by Murtaugh, another helper. He also frees an elf named Arya from jail.
Because of this, she leads them to the rebellion's hideout.
Because of this, Durza the Shade comes to kill Eragon.
Because of this, Eragon kills Durza.
From then on, Eragon is no longer a farm boy, and is a dragon rider.
Everything pretty much fits into the hero's journey pretty perfectly; when he's in the village, he is in his known space. When he leaves, after the call of action, he goes into an unknown space, which becomes known after he reaches the rebellion. He has a mentor, and helpers to help him in his journey. Eragon is tempted by Durza with power when he confronts him. His transformation "finishes" during his final battle with Durza.
This book fits the important mandatory (and sometimes cliche aka Brom, his mentor, dying) storytelling points on the dot. In the final battle, it looks like the rebellion is losing and Eragon is badly hurt (ABYSS), but then has a REVELATION, which allows him to win the battle.
I loved Eragon! I wish I had read the entire series, but I only got through the first book because - I agree with you - dragons and castles can get a little boring at times. It's really interesting to step back and evaluate the structure of books. We never really realize the common literary structure that many fantasy plots seem to follow. I think we start to follow these common guidelines in our own writing without even realizing it. Anyway, nice blog post, Sagar!
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