Novel Setting and Style

Book Report Continued

Novel: Eragon

Here I will talk about the style and setting in which the novel Eragon is written in. Style means the way in which something is said, done, expressed, or performed: a style of speech and writing. In my opinion Eragon was not a particularly difficult read. The language flowed easily and although there were some words that left me dumbfounded. However, as I read on, the context in which the word was used was easy enough to take a rough, often accurate guess at what the confusing word meant. This I liked because I believe if you need a to pick up a dictionary whilst reading any novel, its not worth reading. Not in a negative way, I think if that is the case the novel too hard and for you and is made even harder when you’re constantly re-starting.

From this I have gathered that this novel is intended for competent readers of around 13-16 years, although some keen fantasy reading adults would also get and entertaining and educational read.

As I briefly mentioned in my introduction of Eragon, the time that all of the events in this novel is taking place is anywhere between 1300-1500 AD, where the use of mail armour and shields was common. The various peasants of Alagaesia all live in small huts, with a kitchen and an appropriate amount of bedrooms. Immediately outside their houses are their farms, where they grow enough crops just to get them through each harshly cold winter. The peasants, (including Eragon and his family) often struggle financially and so often die of starvation and other various means. This lack of money and food forces Eragon to go out and solo hunt for their winter’s meat.

This way of life was very commonly found in the middle ages, albeit all of the magical things merged into the story!

The above setting and style appeals very much to my reading style. I like to read fast, devoid of disruption and I am genuinely interested in the middle age era. The weapons, armour, castles and way of life intrigues me. I often sit and think about how hard life would have been like back then.

Moreover, many of my classmates who are of similar age to me have read, are reading, or a planning to read Eragon and the other books of the Inheritance Series. I strongly suggest to all those who like fantasy crossed with action novels to give this one a go if you haven’t already…