Eric: A Discworld Novel (Mass Market Paperback)
by Terry Pratchett
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Read in January, 2008
recommends it for:
anybody who claims they get sense of humour, people who wants to know what happens to helen of troy
Just finished reading Eric. I like it better than the Light Fantastic that I just finished reading before this one. Both features Rincewind the not so much wizard, and of course the Luggage.
I found Eric to be more easily read, perhaps because it is slightly thinner and the typeface is bigger, making it easier on my eyes.
I also find Eric to be really funny and clever, it really is, I mean, it is Pratchett's, what do you expect? But it dawned on me that on later chapters it became funny in...more
I found Eric to be more easily read, perhaps because it is slightly thinner and the typeface is bigger, making it easier on my eyes.
I also find Eric to be really funny and clever, it really is, I mean, it is Pratchett's, what do you expect? But it dawned on me that on later chapters it became funny in...more
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Read in June, 2005
Eric is an oddity. Although it's the ninth Discworld novel to be published, it feels curiously scrappy and unfinished, like a fragment of juvenilia. It's set up as a parody of Faust; it feels like there's a lot more that could have been done with the novel based on this premise. In fact, it feels like there is a lot more set up to happen from this premise, but it never comes about. Eric is one of the most barely sketched in of all of the Discworld characters, for all that he is the...more
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Read in July, 2006
recommends it for:
Literary readers with a sense of humor, fantasy readers, comedy readers
Eric is a strange book, even for Discworld. The first half appears to be a parody of The Iliad (though it covers a part of the story not contained in that poem), while the second half appears to be a parody of The Inferno. That second half could have been intended to parody The Odyssey<i/>'s descent into the underworld, except that while the punishments are the same, it's much more infernal and completely ignores the other twenty-three books of <i>The Odyssey....more
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Read in April, 2008
the ninth book in terry pratchett's discworld series, eric was originally done in a graphic format with artist josh kirby and is transposed here in the mass market paperback version into a traditional novel.
the story concerns the ever-hapless rincewind (arguably one of my least favorite characters in the discworld cannon -- though that's kind of like saying ground beef is one of my least favorite burrito-fillings...it's still a burrito), and his "enslavement" b...more
the story concerns the ever-hapless rincewind (arguably one of my least favorite characters in the discworld cannon -- though that's kind of like saying ground beef is one of my least favorite burrito-fillings...it's still a burrito), and his "enslavement" b...more
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Read in January, 1995
The covers of newer editions of this one do not have 'Faust' in large letters crossed out with a hand written 'Eric' next to it. This book parodies Faust, Dante's Inferno, Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, Conquistadors in the New World, and just about everyone's view of the afterlife, ... oh, and the Creation, too. Rincewind, who's been running around the Dungeon Dimensions since Sourcery, jumps through the first available portal back home, only to meet up with Eric, a kid who's too smart for his own ...more
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Read in May, 2008
recommends it for:
Nerds and Demonologists
So, this isn't the best Discworld book I've ever read. And I think I've read enough by now to know. I think this probably because it doesn't feature characters I like--Granny Weatherwax, Death, etc. Rather, we're back with Rincewind. I KNOW. Again. And the luggage, much as I love it, doesn't really serve much of a purpose here. And it started out so good! With Death and his bees and everything. Though, having worked in an office, I can relate to his idea of hell. It's a little Dilbert-y, but I t...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in January, 2006
recommends it for:
People who want to read ALL of the Discworld Series
Perhaps the funniest thing about this book is the little section where the title usually is written on the top of each page. Typed, it says "Faust," which is crossed out. Handwritten above it is "Eric."
Featuring my least favorite wiz(z)ard Rincewind, I read this late in the series. I have never found "running from trouble" Rincewind terribly interesting, and this book followed suit.
Unless you have no other discworld novels to read, don't bother with Eri...more
Featuring my least favorite wiz(z)ard Rincewind, I read this late in the series. I have never found "running from trouble" Rincewind terribly interesting, and this book followed suit.
Unless you have no other discworld novels to read, don't bother with Eri...more
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Read in January, 2004
Eric, a young, inexpert demonologist, performs a rite to call a demon into his service, but gets the incompetent dead wizard, Rincewind, instead. Rincewind soon finds that by some slip of fate (perhaps on the cosmic banana peel) he has demonic powers- namely, that whatever Eric wishes for is granted by the snap of his fingers. And so begins a Faustian comedy in which he gets everything he asks for, but nothing he expected. While I don’t think it’s one of my favorite Discworld books, it was ...more
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Very funny!: The best part of this book is the title - Faust-crossed out, Eric. But I was tickled pink by the title. While I prefer the books with Nanny Ogg, Granny Weatherwax, Magrat, and now Agnes, this was hilarious. Eric's shining moment was when he told Rincewind he wanted to be a eunich when he grew up. I think I had to put the book down because I was laughing so much.
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Funny Stuff. I'm still new to the Discworld universe, but this one is keeping me hooked. I'm trying to save my four and five star awards for those classic books and personal favorites that will have a place on my bookshelf for the rest of my life. Eric is a bit insubstantial for that, but it is a fun diversion in a Monty Python/Douglas Adams vein. Recommended.
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Read in December, 2007
i’m slowly beginning to understand the discworld series, but i’m probably going about it all wrong. this one was funny. i especially enjoyed the sassy parrot who peppers his conversation (at the most bizarre moments) with the interjection, “wossname.” the luggage was also a fun character to read.
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Read in April, 2008
This is the first Terry Pratchett book that I've "read". (Does listening to an audio-book counting as "reading" it? Discuss.) I'm struck by this book's similarities to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, in terms of the dry humour. This is a good thing...
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It's short and has more going on than Rincewind just running away from everything, which makes it one of the two decent Rincewind novels. The solid parody of Faust and cutting satire of modern business (and this before Dilbert!) make for an excellent book that doesn't overstay its welcome.
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Read in November, 2007
recommends it for:
those who'd like a twisted view of myths and magic
Once again, a great Pratchett book. I love this guy! Eric is a 14 year old boy who tries conjuring a demon. Instead he gets a semi-competent wizard, Rincewind. He makes his 3 wishes, but none of them turn out quite the way he had expected. I laughed out loud all through this one.
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Read in October, 2007
Another fun Terry book. I really enjoyed it although it was a bit less clever than some of his books. The Faust reference and comment on history and how the world was made was great though. Maybe just a bit too short.
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It’s a fine Discworld book, but it’s also one of those rare novels that gets significantly improved by the audiobook version. The timing of Tony Robinson’s reading is simply perfect.
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4 stars for this doesn't equate to 4 stars given in another category like Great Gatsby. But it's funny, and it's awesome and smart and is worth 4 stars for that.
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Read in November, 2007
A short Discworld book. This is a good one. It features Rincewind, and of course the Luggage. This is a nice take on Faust. Very funny, as usual. Well done!
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Horrible book. The comedy falls short every time. It was not humorous even once. Pratchett is a wannabe Kurt Vonnegut and fails miserably.
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This book cracked me up....nothing like taking faust and turning the part of the demon into a trapped Rincewind...very funny
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.44 (1695 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.44 (1532 ratings) number of reviews: 33popular shelves
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