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425th out of 524 books
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177 voters
The Rivan Codex: Ancient Texts of the Belgariad and the Malloreon (Belgarian Universe)
Join David and Leigh Eddings on a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of the extensive background materials they compiled before beginning the masterpiece of epic fantasy unforgettably set down in The Belgariad and The Malloreon and their two companion volumes, Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress.
Our tour stretches from the wealthy Empire of Tolnedra to the rem...more
Our tour stretches from the wealthy Empire of Tolnedra to the rem...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
November 2nd 1999
by Del Rey
(first published 1998)
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I both loved, and hated this book.
I hated it because it wasn't actually a new 'story' and it wasn't really what the title suggested it would be to a fan of the two series. It wasn't bad though. It was interesting but it definitely was not a page turner. I read it slowly, over the course of several weeks where I typically devoured new Eddings novels in a single sitting. I reread the entire Belgariad and Malloreon while reading it and cross referenced between the novels and the 'text book' as I t...more
I hated it because it wasn't actually a new 'story' and it wasn't really what the title suggested it would be to a fan of the two series. It wasn't bad though. It was interesting but it definitely was not a page turner. I read it slowly, over the course of several weeks where I typically devoured new Eddings novels in a single sitting. I reread the entire Belgariad and Malloreon while reading it and cross referenced between the novels and the 'text book' as I t...more
I have been a fan of David Eddings ever since I read Pawn of Prophecy 20 years ago. I know that his books are derivative, repetitive, and obvious, but even with all this they are enjoyable and fun to read, rather easy and light.
I have over the years added all the books from the Belgariad and Malloreon to my bookshelves at home. When I recently came across "The Rivan Codex" I wondered why I had never added this book, or even read it. I did recall seeing it in the book store when it was first publ...more
I have over the years added all the books from the Belgariad and Malloreon to my bookshelves at home. When I recently came across "The Rivan Codex" I wondered why I had never added this book, or even read it. I did recall seeing it in the book store when it was first publ...more
I find it impressive that they wrote this 460+ page book just to prepare for writing 10 others. As a fan of the original Belgariad and Mallorean, as well as both Polgara the Sorceress and Belgarath the Sorcerer, this "how to" process provided more insight than I initially expected. I found much of it fascinating, but think they could have pared down things like currency for the sake of publishing. Otherwise, a good read.
Maybe I wasnt a big enough fan of the Belgariad and Mallorean to get as much out of this as I could have, but this was only of middling enjoyability to read.
It could be that almost everything in it, I had read before. Much of it repeatedly. It could be that the changing point of view or voice made much of it hard to swallow - for example - one ninute the voice of the book is telling us about creating the large sweeping back story, and the next minute the voice of the book is decrying the events...more
It could be that almost everything in it, I had read before. Much of it repeatedly. It could be that the changing point of view or voice made much of it hard to swallow - for example - one ninute the voice of the book is telling us about creating the large sweeping back story, and the next minute the voice of the book is decrying the events...more
I bought this book as it was the last of the books pertaining to the Belgariad and the Mallorean that I had not read yet. I must say that even though I knew that it was going to be a collection of the ancient texts that were refered to time and time again in the novels, I was a bit dissapointed. I found the book on a whole hard to read, and found myself scanning the pages rather than reading them in order to get it finished.
The best part of it was at the beginning where the author is talking a...more
The best part of it was at the beginning where the author is talking a...more
There are two reasons you'd think of read the Rivan Codex. The first is if you're a fan of the Belgariad (well, or the Malloreon, but they're much of a muchness) If this is the case you'll find plenty to love here. The rich detail Eddings put into creating how his world is admirable whilst the greatest enjoyment comes from seeing how his characters sprang up from his preliminary research. Despite this, even the most hard core fan might get bogged down somewhere between the Battle of Vo Mimbre an...more
As a fantasy writer, I was fascinated to learn how one of the fantasy genre's most successful writers planned out his novels. I was well aware that Eddings was a formulaic writer, but it was interesting nonetheless to hear about his past in addition to reading the sheer amount of extra material he compiled in order to write The Belgariad.
While interesting, it is all academic, and obviously out of context to anyone who hasn't read The Belgariad or The Malloreon. For those who have, you'll only li...more
While interesting, it is all academic, and obviously out of context to anyone who hasn't read The Belgariad or The Malloreon. For those who have, you'll only li...more
My considered opinion is that David Eddings is a little bit of a dick (and a little bit of a misogynist too, although I think he tries). I've been working with that theory since about Belgarath the Sorceror, and this book proved me right.
That said, he's got some good insights on writing, especially writing fantasy (he worldbuilds first, starts the story second), and seeing the origin of all his stories, with notes about the changes he made, makes me want to go reread both the Belgariad and the M...more
That said, he's got some good insights on writing, especially writing fantasy (he worldbuilds first, starts the story second), and seeing the origin of all his stories, with notes about the changes he made, makes me want to go reread both the Belgariad and the M...more
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The Rivan Codex is actually quite entertaining, for what it is - a collection of notes and reference materials used in the creation of the Garion books, bookended by Eddings's firmly-stated opinions about how to go about writing a fantasy series. This was pure 'nip to me when I was a teenager - I am fascinated by the process of worldbuilding, and while large chunks of this are fairly dry, they're interesting, at least to me. (And the bits that aren't purely notes are largely written in the more...more
Allow me to point out that this book is definitely not one to be read from start to finish. It's not that kind of book.
This is the book that you read when you want to gain a full understanding of everything concerning the world and its history. This is where you turn for religious teachings, for currency names and exchange rates.
If anyone ever decided that they wanted to make a game or a movie based on these books, then this is definitely the place that you want to look to get the specific inf...more
This is the book that you read when you want to gain a full understanding of everything concerning the world and its history. This is where you turn for religious teachings, for currency names and exchange rates.
If anyone ever decided that they wanted to make a game or a movie based on these books, then this is definitely the place that you want to look to get the specific inf...more
This book gave a phenomenal look into the creative process behind the saga. Mr. Eddings goes into great detail on his world-building. Countries, rulers, caste systems, economics, clothing styles, imports and exports... You really see how he made the world of the Belgariad and the Mallorean come alive. It was easy because he gave life to the setting before he told a story within it. Brilliant and extremely useful for world-builders.
I remember reading this book over a decade ago and learning for the first time that authors did not always start out glamourously. Not that it deterred me. It did however tell me to write fantasy in a formulaic fashion. I always used to feel terrible that the story ideas I had didn't come out very similar to his formula, which I now understand as a good thing.
This is clearly targeted to those who totally geek-out on Eddings. It is mostly a compilation of the background material compiled to give his world some depth, and in this way it is similar to much of what Christopher Tolkien has published out of his father's source materials.
So, if you are an obsessive completist (hello), or like reading early drafts and tedious background detail, or are considering the colossal mistake of creating your own fantasy world, then this book might be for you. And if...more
So, if you are an obsessive completist (hello), or like reading early drafts and tedious background detail, or are considering the colossal mistake of creating your own fantasy world, then this book might be for you. And if...more
Supposed to be vital documents covering the same period as the books in the Belgariad set and the Mallorean set. But very bitty and boring. Probably only suitable for die-hard fans. Didn't get very far and gave up.
I love any book that includes the original ideas, short stories, and how the characters went from their beginnings to their current form. I love when the writer talks about their deals, contracts, and research.
don't buy this...a repackaging of the previous works. Pisses me off since I wasted $6 of my cash back when I earned about a $100 a month..
As a follow up...I read this "book" around 1999. I woke up twice this week (2012) dreaming about how much this slop pissed me off. So...that should tell you something. One, that I need to get over it; Two, That I really, really, really hate repackaging just to garner idiots (fans?) like me into more sales. Its deceitful and dishonest. Authors should take a nic...more
As a follow up...I read this "book" around 1999. I woke up twice this week (2012) dreaming about how much this slop pissed me off. So...that should tell you something. One, that I need to get over it; Two, That I really, really, really hate repackaging just to garner idiots (fans?) like me into more sales. Its deceitful and dishonest. Authors should take a nic...more
It's not really a story, so it didn't capture my attention the way the books of the Belgariad and the Mallorean did, but it did give some insight as to how Eddings created this world.
If you have read "The Belgarion" and "The Mallorean" series of fantasy books, you will enjoy this book. If not, don't bother. This is a collection of the background pieces that David Eddings wrote in preparation for writing his epic adventures. Very pleasant trip through the Holy Books of the gods, the Tolnedran histories and the Mallorean Gospels.
This wasn't a bad book, but out of all 13 books dealing with Garion, Polgara and Belgarath, this was was the worst. It is a little dry but is by no means a horrible book.
If I was a truly cynical man I would be tempted to think that this is the literary equivalent of milking the cow to death. Have given us the magical Belgariad, Elenium,(the Mallorean and Tamuli too) and the tepid backfillers of Polgara's and Belgarath's stories (the first admission of Leigh as co-writer and, possibly, the first retrograde step), this was backfilling to the point of absurdity and beyond the point of my tolerance. It removed any sense of the power of my imagination about the world...more
absolutely must have if you are a great fan of the Belgariath and Mallorean. Nice compilation of background info. Comparable to Tolkien's Silmarillion.
Tries to do what Tolkien's Appendices do, but not as interesting (unless you're a total fan of Eddings, I suppose). Never finished it, but OK for a dip in.
This is actually a compilation of the hundreds and hundreds of pages of pre-novel work that Eddings put into his world and it's people. It reads kinda like an encyclopedia. Fun, but not necessary to the story.
More interesting for the autobiographical bits and Eddings' reflections on writing and the fantasy genre than for the fictional material.
For a long time I said anything to do with the Belgariad is pretty much awesome. Then came this exceptional pantload.
For fans of The Belgariad, this book is a wonderful companion. It's like a strategy guide for the series! Loved it.
A fun book that fills in the 'real' aspects and histories of the Belgariad.
Almost like a real atlas/guide book...
Almost like a real atlas/guide book...
A wonderful collection of the background materials put together by David & Leigh before they began writing the Belgariad and Mallorean epic. I bought this to read not only as a fan but as an aspiring fantasy novelist who wanted to see how two of my favourite authors went about building their world.
Fascinating account about how Eddings created the mythical world in his Belgariad, etc., series, and a practical how-to guide on construcing your own.
Jul 26, 2008
Justaguy
added it
David and Leighs "How to write formula and make money" book. Basically their justification for re-using the same tired old plots and characthers that while quite entertaining the first 10 times around are now just irritating. A few helpfull writing tips but over all I found it to be simple self-promoting and not a very enjoyable read. From an author who is starting to make a habit of endings that invalidate all the writing that he has done so far to get there. Leaving you wondering why you even...more
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David Eddings is an American author who has written several best-selling series of epic fantasy novels. David Eddings' wife, Leigh Eddings, is uncredited as co-author on many of his early books, but he has lately acknowledged that she contributed to them all.
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he...more
More about David Eddings...
David Eddings' first books (which were general fiction) sold moderately well. He later switched to writing epic fantasy, a field in which he...more
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“Contemporary fantasists all bow politely to Lord Tennyson and Papa Tolkien, then step around them to go back to the original texts for inspiration--and there are a lot of those texts. We have King Arthur and his gang in English; we've got Siegfried and Brunhild in German; Charlemagne and Roland in French; El Cid in Spanish; Sigurd the Volsung in Icelandic; and assorted 'myghtiest Knights on lyfe' in a half-dozen other cultures. Without shame, we pillage medieval romance for all we're worth.”
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6 people liked it
“Operating by trial and error mostly, we've evolved a tacitly agreed upon list of the elements that make for a good fantasy. The first decision the aspiring fantasist must make is theological. King Arthur and Charlemagne were Christians. Siegfried and Sigurd the Volsung were pagans. My personal view is that pagans write better stories. When a writer is having fun, it shows, and pagans have more fun than Christians. Let's scrape Horace's Dulche et utile off the plate before we even start the banquet. We're writing for fun, not to provide moral instruction. I had much more fun with the Belgariad/Malloreon than you did, because I know where all the jokes are.
All right, then, for item number one, I chose paganism. (Note that Papa Tolkien, a devout Anglo-Catholic, took the same route.)”
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6 people liked it
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All right, then, for item number one, I chose paganism. (Note that Papa Tolkien, a devout Anglo-Catholic, took the same route.)”
