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Summary: An Explanation of the Matriarch
Review: Belgarath the Sorcerer, tells the story of the first of Aldur's disciples, and his perspective on the importance of his family throughout time as they attempt to help set the universe straight after the purpose split at the early time. From his time as an orphan child, to the rise of Eriond as the newest of the gods, to replace the deceased Torak, you're given an interesting perspective on things that is far from the tightly orderly mind of his daughter Polgara, or the wandering mind of his grandson Garion. The only thing I wait for with this series, is the possibility of the Eddings' writing a book telling the story of Beldin, the twisted little 'cousin' of Belgarath.
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Summary: *sigh*...just marvelous
Review: To me, Eddings, like Tad Williams and Raymond E. Feist, writes a kind of perfect fantasy story that harkens back to Lloyd Alexander and the Chronicles of Prydain. It's not what I reach for when I want something trying to be deep and profound, it's what I reach for when I want something completely satisfying. A well written, believable world you can instantly fall into, and want to. Marvelous characters that you want to meet again and again. Stories that hook you early, pace nicely, and keep you hooked til the end. Which is not to imply these books are shallow or merely escapist; but rather that every level on which they can be read meshes so effortlessly that you aren't ever interrupted by your awareness of them. The best storytellers are the ones who never draw attention to themselves, because that draws attention away from the story - they never shout at you through the page. Eddings is a master storyteller, and it was very gratifying to get Belgariad prequels long after you thought the series was, sadly, complete. Both Belgarath and Polgara are excellent reads. If you like The Belgariad and Mallorean books, make sure to read the Servant of the Empire trilogy (written with Janny Wurts) as well!
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Summary: Great background info for Eddings fans
Review: Great background info for Eddings fans, nuff said
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Summary: Finally Belgarath's Point of View!
Review: What a different view of the whole picture (Belgarath's the one telling the story, and so you get his hilarious point of view the whole way through)! This book takes you back before the Belgariad even takes place, starting with Belgarath's childhood, and the earlier parts of his 7,000 year life. This book has all of the things in the Belgariad and the Mallorean that you only briefly read about, such as the cracking of the world, Belgarath's story of becoming a desciple of Aldur, Zedar's treason, The meeting of Poledra and Belgarath, as well as many other stories that are finally revealed in all of their glory in this book. This book is a definate buy for someone who has completed both the Mallorean and the Belgariad. It also clears up a lot of confusion that you might have encountered throughout both the series. WONDERFUL BOOK!
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Summary: An Epic Beginning...
Review: Belgarath. One simple word. A word that means so much. To an ordinary man, Belgarath is nothing. To an Eddings fan, Belgarath is everything. From the start of the Belgariad, through to the end of the Malloreon, he was there, as were you...the reader. This book is an "answer all questions" type of read. It's basically the tale of how he became the figure that he currently is. It begins early in life and progresses through many, many years of EVENTS. Encounters with Aldur, Beldin, Polgara, Chamdar and of course Torak are all chronicled. The significance of many of the EVENTS are explained. The style in which the book is written captivates you from the start. It is indeed a page-turner filled with sadness, anger, joy, and even humour. The autobiographical feel was also something appealing. Belgarath even hints at who really runs the world, and his opinion gets you thinking. Mr. Eddings has done it again and I look forward to any future works of his, as all his past are masterpieces. If you've even wondered "why?" acquire this book. If you've ever wondered "who?" acquire this book. Or, if you just want a good read, acquire this book and you'll see why the Eddings duo are the true sorcerers of the literary world.
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Summary: Belgarath's ultimate story for a captive audience!
Review: Anyone who knows & loves him realizes that he "improves" upon the facts when he feels it is necessary. While it is extremely diverting, Polgara took grievances with the way he handled it & added her own two cents in yet another tome- of course, the whole project was her & Mother's idea :) A true devotee will enjoy seeing certain events from their perspectives, but the pace & feel are much different than the storyline books.
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Summary: I loved and still love this book.
Review: I read this book first before buying the Mallorean and Belgariad series. I'm glad I did. This book makes you wonder and think of the characters. Infact, at the end the end of this book, i was so shocked of how it ended! THAT'S what made me get the series and also the Polagra book! I just HAD to know how it began and ended. I love an author that can do that to his readers!
This book is a great overview of the 2 series! His portrayal of Belgarath is very comical and heartwarming. Whenever i need a good book, i'm sure to pick up and reread this book or start the series all over again.
This book is made to delight the reader. If you are inclined to dissect a book and its author, then you need to relax and let yourself go with this book. This book will let you wonder and feel that you are with Belgarath.
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Summary: More schlock from a master schlock artist...
Review: Look, you don't read David Eddings for classic literature, you read him for the cool sorcery, the sharply drawn characters and a sense of humor. Belgarath the Sorcerer delivers, but it's definitely of the meat and potatoes variety. It's a trip down memory lane for those who have waded through the Belgariad and the Mallorean (which both became progressively more ponderous and lacking in new ideas). The fact that this book even exists suggests that Mr. Eddings is running either a bit low on new ideas, or his bank account, or both.
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Summary: Entertaining though discontinous
Review: Read this only after you've read the Belgariad/Mallorean series and don't mind getting a different view of the character of Belgarath. BtS begins where "Seeress of Kell" left off: in the Vale of Aldur, where the family has gathered to witness the births of Polgara's and Durnik's twins. Soon after, the topic of Belgarath's true past comes up, and Belgarion, Durnik, Ce'Nedra and Polgara begin to bully Belgarath about writing his memoirs. Belgarath remains obstinate until his wife Poledra suggests that memoirs would be a fine idea indeed. Having no choice anymore, Belgarath unhappily hunkers down to tell the story of his life. In the days when the gods walked the earth, he was born in the ancient pastoral village of Gara and orphaned young, gaining himself the name of Garath, "of the town of Gara." Here he learned to steal, lie, and cheat in order to survive. In his own words, "Larceny seethed in my grubby little soul." The boy Garath runs away, stays awhile with the cursed people of Ulgos, and eventually finds his way to the Vale of Aldur. Lost, cold, starving, angry with the harshness of life and ready to die, he is taken in by a kind stranger: the god Aldur. Garath the boy-thief grows into Belgarath the Disciple. Here, the other disciples appear, some of them through hilarious situations that only Eddings can pen. Zedar ("he looked like a Tolnedran, or possibly an Arend" - an insult), Kira and Tira the Alorns, Makor the Melcene, Sambar the Angarak, and Din the Dwarf. Each of these sorcerers is well-made and unique and for the most part, fit with the later/previous stories. Unfortunately, Belgarath's character takes a turn here from the colorful character we learned to love in Belgariad/Mallorean. It seems he isn't really quite as bright as we thought him to be. One would think that someone his age would have learned a thing or two in his lifetime. You may say "Well, he's Belgarath, he's taking liberties with his story." Still, his tales aren't what one would expect from someone as accomplished as Mister Wolf the traveling storyteller. There are far too many discrepancies between this book and the previous ten. There are times even his cunning seems more accidental than planned. The old Belgarath was more fun: the rootless vagabond who drank too much, gambled, chased women ("wenching" - only Eddings could use the term with such aplomb), pocketed things that interested him. The old Belgarath sat in smoky taverns drinking himself into high spirits while he winked at passing barmaids. Since BtS was obviously written after the local Temperance League got their hands on Eddings, we learn that Belgarath wasn't really drinking... he was just making it LOOK like he was. He was only pretending to be drunk so the scary Murgos wouldn't notice him. He wasn't really winking at the pretty barmaids, he was just blinking from all the soot in the air. He wasn't really snoozing in the saddle, he was actually calculating the number of blankets he would need to keep the army warm. His stained, worn, mismatched clothing wasn't accumulated through travels and travails but was carefully designed by the best tailors on the continent. While this new true Belgarath may be politically correct, the old one was more entertaining. The idea of the most powerful sorcerer in the world having numerous flaws and vices made him more believable. Remember, Polgara feared that Belgarath would be a bad influence on the young ones. He wasn't perfect. Well he is now, except for having fewer working brain cells. As strange as this may sound, I felt betrayed. Eddings strains with some of the other major characters in the book. Just because Fulrach and Anheg, Silk and Barak behaved in certain ways shouldn't mean all of their ancestors behaved the same way. Some were indistinguishable from their descendants. On the other hand, the various Salmissras were almost caricaturish in their differences. The Eddings Duo kept their smooth writing style present in the previous ten, and the humor is as sharp as always. When I finished BtS I went back and reread the entire Ten, and alas, Belgarath wasn't the same exciting character I had loved for years.
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Summary: Hilarious!
Review: It was amazing...You have to read both the Belgariad and the Mallorian first or you wont understand some of it. The story fills in the blanks that were left after Eddings finished the two previous series. We all know that Belgarath is probably the funniest character in the whole story, and this is the story of his life. Some of it was a little slow going, but the rest of the story made up for that little tidbit of slowness. I loved this story, and highly recommend it to you iff(if and only if) you absolutely loved the Belgariad and the Mallorian. READ IT! READ IT! READ IT! I DON'T CARE HOW, BUT READ IT!!!!!
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