Rating: 
Summary: Don't worry-- the whole series isn't like this.
Review: Let's be frank. <i>Eric</i> is easily the least of the Discworld novels, both in length and in quality.Perhaps it's because Pratchett was trying to mimick the pessimistic style of his friend Douglas Adams (this is especially apparent when Rincewind and Eric meet the Creator of the universe). Perhaps it's because the "plot" is an incoherent series of wacky, madcap adventures. Perhaps it's because the main character is Rincewind, who despite his status as a fan favorite is less likeable than any other Discworld protagonist. Perhaps it's the lack of a strong villain to tie it all together. In any event, <i>Eric</i> manages to belittle Pratchett's powerful vision, turning what might have been a glimpse into the history of the Discworld into a cut-rate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If you're a budding Pratchett fan, you'll have to read this sooner or later. Just don't expect it to approach the quality of <i>Feet of Clay</i> or <i>Soul Music</i>.
Rating: 
Summary: Short and not very good
Review: Mr. Pratchett is one of the funniest authors alive. This book, however, number nine in his laugh-out-loud discworld series, is a dissapointment. It's not the main character's fault (Rincewind the wizard is a very funny character in some of his other books). The plot, however, is kind of, well, [boring], and his writing is sub-par. My advice? Skip it, unless you want to read it just for completness
Rating:
Summary: Ok discworld book
Review: not as good as some of the others but it could be worse. Rincewind is the main charecter so it's pretty funny. Not really nessecery to read in the discworld series but it helps if you want to get all the jokes.
Rating: 
Summary: Why haven't you read this book yet ? BUY IT !
Review: One of my favorite books of all time, it's right up there with Rainmaker and Nine princes in Amber ! Get it as SOON as possible. Maybe magician:apprentice should be there too :
Rating:
Summary: Only fairly funny
Review: Only fairly funny are rather damning words when applied to any work by Pratchett who is one of the most amusing writers alive. Usually quite funny while being profound and dealing with some of existence's questions, Eric is one of the novels that is not a can't-put-it-down experience. Yes, some nice commentary about the hellishness of modern management. Yes, Rincewind and the Luggage once again run for their lives. It's the sort of novel one must read because it is Pratchett and there are some enjoyable moments. Because it is Pratchett it's better than loads of other things one might read- it's just not the best Pratchett. But of course, worth a read just because.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun enough
Review: Possibly the shortest and most plotless Discworld novel, "Eric" nevertheless has some enjoyable commentary and spoofing, two of the things that Terry Pratchett does well and delightfully. Hardly his best, but not his worst. In the aftermath of "Sourcery," Rincewind is lost in the Dungeon Dimension. But in a million-to-one-chance, he is drawn back into the real world by a fourteen-year-old demonolist awash in hormones and delusions of grandeur. Eric is convinced that Rincewind is a demon, and is demanding three things: that Rincewind make him live forever, give him control of the entire Disc, and give him the most beautiful woman in the world. Rincewind, unsurprisingly, can't do these things. An unwary snap of the fingers sends Eric, Rincewind, the Luggage, and a very sarcastic parrot to the land of the Tezumens, who serve the bloodthirsty demon-god Quetzovercoatl. Their misadventures in the void of non-creation, back in time to the topless towers of Tsort, and finally to hell itself give Eric what he wishes -- or does it? The first word that comes to mind to describe "Eric" is SHORT. This book is slim even with the larger typeface and margins, but in Pratchett's spare style it packs a fair amount of story into the 200 pages. Old favorites like Rincewind and the Luggage return; Eric steals many of the scenes he's in, as he is obsessed with women and power, but whiny and immature - a teen boy with delusions of grandeur. Pratchett adds some delightful spoofing of the Aztecs, especially their preoccupation with human sacrifice and feathered headdresses, and the Trojan War (in which we meet his versions of Odysseus and the relatively plain Discworld counterpart of Helen of Troy), complete with "toppleless towers" and a wooden horse. His vision of a revamped hell -- in which demons show vacation slides to damned mortals -- is somewhat reminiscent of Craig Shaw Gardner's Netherhells, but is perhaps the funniest part of the book. And Pratchett's cleverness shows up in the "fulfillment" of Eric's wishes -- it's a clear example of "be careful what you wish for, you just might get it." Rincewind is gradually growing in dimension, beyond "cowardly wizard," and shows that he does, in fact, have some brains and thought processes. Eric is a twitty teenage boy, a little too clueless to be plausible. And the parrot really steals the show; his acid wit, aggressive demeanor, scruffy appearance, and constant use of the word "wossname" make him a hilarious essential. It's too bad he doesn't appear again in the series. "Eric" is hardly the best book in the series, but it does make a nice diversion for readers who enjoy madcap antics and spoof-filled stories.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious and witty
Review: Pratchett is very funny with his repartee and inside humour. The story of Eric is full of puns aplenty and situations running into the comical extreme. One of Pratchett's best! The Discworld series is the best fantasy series I have ever read
Rating:
Summary: The best work of a brilliant writer
Review: Rincewind's career as a demon is far more successful than his life as a wizzard (sic). Just by clicking his fingers, he grants the traditional three wishes of adolescent demonist hacker Eric. The satire in this book, however, is not directed at the traditions of Faust or Aladdin - Pratchett seems to have real affection for these potentially soft targets. Rather, he describes the politics of Hell: a savage reflection of modern corporate politics. The Demon King's devastating insight is that, for a demon to incite a whole nation to conquer, slaughter, torture and sacrifice their neighbours is, in the long run, far less damaging than telling them 'to labour day and night to improve the lot of their fellow man.' Among the book's strengths are its brevity, pace and its oblique insight into the implications of some of our traditional ideas. Nearly all Discworld novels are brilliant, but this one stands out as the masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: A Mephistophelian Mediocrity
Review: So-Rincewind likes running from danger... we know that. So now he's running through the Dungeon Dimensions. The fact that a teenage demonologist wannabe has him on a leash doesn't seem to slow him down all that much. It's Pratchett who slows down his pace in this book. There's little new in character development, mainly because Rincewind has little character at this point to develop (and had little character to start with!). Some reviewers think that this is a negative point-I disagree. Still, overall the book is too short on development. There's a nice parody of the Trojan wars that sets up Rincewind for an encounter with his Counterweight Cousin later on-so at best, this is a book of continuation. It appears that Prachett didn't have many concepts to develop, and that's a shame. Considering all the people who'll eventually end up in Hell, it would seem he'd have lots of material. It still has Pratchett's humor-but this time it's a bit dry. OK read, and keep it in your collection. Otherwise, a bit of a yawner. Heavens to... Murgatroyd!
Rating: 
Summary: Embarrasing Failure
Review: Terry Pratchett has, in his other work, produced some of the finest fiction ever written, period. Therefore i have higher expectations of his work and judge accordingly. This little book, by Pratchett standards is an embarrasment to the entire series. Apparently the author felt it necessary to reclaim his inept 'wizzard' from the depths of the dungeon dimensions, possibly to appease his fans, so he whipped out this little fart of a story and then moved on. Poor Rincewind deserves better than this, and anyone planning to read their first discworld tale should avoid this trash like the plague. If you really must find out how Rincewind got away from the Dungeon Dimensions, this book is worth about [$$$] or less; personally, i think he'd have done better to wait and write the wizzard's revival into the beginning of 'Interesting Times' I'm sure the wizards of Unseen University could have summoned him themselves for the purpose of that story. I hear that this was originally to be a graphic novel with lots of fine pictures, but i don't really see how any amount of artwork could do much to help this pathetic work; it's missing the character developement, plot work, and the general magic that makes Terry Pratchett what he is, I've read other Pratchett books which I didnt feel were his best, but this is the only book by this author that i would ever call his worst.
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