Yarr! Dragons!
October 8, 2008 2:51 PM Subscribe
So what's the appeal of Brisingr?
It appears this book is through-the-roof popular in spite of (or because of?) hackneyed plot lines, anaemic writing, and verbosity verging on the flatulent (700+ pages!).
Could some kind soul explain to me who reads this stuff and why?
Thanks ever so.
It appears this book is through-the-roof popular in spite of (or because of?) hackneyed plot lines, anaemic writing, and verbosity verging on the flatulent (700+ pages!).
Could some kind soul explain to me who reads this stuff and why?
Thanks ever so.
This post was deleted for the following reason: if you're genuinely curious, don't insult everyone who might possibly answer your question. feel free to try again next week. -- jessamyn
Response by poster: I'm genuinely curious and genuinely looking for answers. I'm not looking for a pile-on, confirmation, argument or a good rogering. Thank you.
posted by Wolof at 3:08 PM on October 8, 2008
posted by Wolof at 3:08 PM on October 8, 2008
Best answer: You can read just the "five star" reviews at Amazon to see what people liked about it.
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:17 PM on October 8, 2008
posted by The corpse in the library at 3:17 PM on October 8, 2008
Best answer: My 13 year old daughter is reading it because it is the sequel to the equally turgid yet popular Eragon, which she loved at 11.
I think it has the same appeal as most children's fantasy: undetailed main character that the reader can identify with and who is the most important person in the world. You find the plot lines hackneyed, but the young reader doesn't, if only for lack of reading experience.
I'm guess that for the older reader, it's a welcome chance to regress.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:18 PM on October 8, 2008 [2 favorites]
I think it has the same appeal as most children's fantasy: undetailed main character that the reader can identify with and who is the most important person in the world. You find the plot lines hackneyed, but the young reader doesn't, if only for lack of reading experience.
I'm guess that for the older reader, it's a welcome chance to regress.
posted by i_am_joe's_spleen at 3:18 PM on October 8, 2008 [2 favorites]
Were you reading it without reading the first two books? It is the third in a four-book series.
So one reason this one is popular is that the first two were also popular and so the people who liked those want to read this. Also they've been waiting a while since the second book came out a couple years ago, so that can amp up the enthusiasm.
The author was 15 when he wrote the first book, and is now in his early 20s. I've not read any of them, but word has it that his writing has improved, as well it should. But I actually think quality of writing is rarely a good indicator of a book's popularity. On any given best-seller list, some are well-written, some aren't.
A very common criticism of this series is that it mashes up a lot of ideas that have already been done (to death?) in middle grade and young adult fantasy stories. But some people like those ideas so much that they really can't get enough. I'm like that with dystopian literature--no matter how many times it turns out they're really clones, or they're living in the only place left on earth isolated from nuclear fall-out, or--gasp--when you get sent away to the great place they're really just euthanizing you and harvesting you for meat/organs (again)...I can't help myself. I still read it, enjoy it, and crave more. So, I presume, it goes with some Eragon fans.
posted by lampoil at 3:51 PM on October 8, 2008
So one reason this one is popular is that the first two were also popular and so the people who liked those want to read this. Also they've been waiting a while since the second book came out a couple years ago, so that can amp up the enthusiasm.
The author was 15 when he wrote the first book, and is now in his early 20s. I've not read any of them, but word has it that his writing has improved, as well it should. But I actually think quality of writing is rarely a good indicator of a book's popularity. On any given best-seller list, some are well-written, some aren't.
A very common criticism of this series is that it mashes up a lot of ideas that have already been done (to death?) in middle grade and young adult fantasy stories. But some people like those ideas so much that they really can't get enough. I'm like that with dystopian literature--no matter how many times it turns out they're really clones, or they're living in the only place left on earth isolated from nuclear fall-out, or--gasp--when you get sent away to the great place they're really just euthanizing you and harvesting you for meat/organs (again)...I can't help myself. I still read it, enjoy it, and crave more. So, I presume, it goes with some Eragon fans.
posted by lampoil at 3:51 PM on October 8, 2008
My 13 year old daughter is reading it because it is the sequel to the equally turgid yet popular Eragon, which she loved at 11. ...
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone, but I really like kid-lit. I used to read it because I wanted to write it, now I just read it.
I have a college degree in English and have even read Terry Eagleton on post-modern theory, but I really like children's lit.
posted by fiercekitten at 4:30 PM on October 8, 2008
Shhhhh. Don't tell anyone, but I really like kid-lit. I used to read it because I wanted to write it, now I just read it.
I have a college degree in English and have even read Terry Eagleton on post-modern theory, but I really like children's lit.
posted by fiercekitten at 4:30 PM on October 8, 2008
Some people don't have the same taste in reading material as you. I am not a book snob (I have been known to read romance novels) and it's mostly because they're comforting. Books that fit a type- sci fi, fantasy, romance- are comforting because you know they're going to have a happy ending (usually) and you know what to expect. I've always read a ton, and quite a lot of it has not exactly been what my last English teacher would have termed literature. Escapist, comforting, predictable- they all kinda boil down to the same thing.
I also love series. I will stick with a series forever.
posted by MadamM at 4:56 PM on October 8, 2008
I also love series. I will stick with a series forever.
posted by MadamM at 4:56 PM on October 8, 2008
Same reason people watch Gossip Girl or Frasier reruns. It's entertainment. If you like it, you'll want to read it.
Seconding also that kids are young... haven't read much. So most stuff is new to them.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:17 PM on October 8, 2008
Seconding also that kids are young... haven't read much. So most stuff is new to them.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 5:17 PM on October 8, 2008
I like kid fantasy books as well, and I read Brisingr in a day and a half - I just couldn't put it down!
It was a fun read. I like fantasy - I like elves and dragons and dwarfs and magic. And it's an easier read than say Lord of the Rings (which was also good, obviously).
posted by All.star at 5:22 PM on October 8, 2008
It was a fun read. I like fantasy - I like elves and dragons and dwarfs and magic. And it's an easier read than say Lord of the Rings (which was also good, obviously).
posted by All.star at 5:22 PM on October 8, 2008
I could have posted this same question about the Harry Potter books and meant it, but then I would look like a dumbass.
Seriously, I also think it has some to do with the author. Super young kid that most critics say ripped off McCaffrey and Tolkien, but did it well enough to be endearing.
I own first editions of both the self published copy and the major release copy, but have read neither. That also goes toward the popularity in my mind. It's a nice success story.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:29 PM on October 8, 2008
Seriously, I also think it has some to do with the author. Super young kid that most critics say ripped off McCaffrey and Tolkien, but did it well enough to be endearing.
I own first editions of both the self published copy and the major release copy, but have read neither. That also goes toward the popularity in my mind. It's a nice success story.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:29 PM on October 8, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rabbitsnake at 3:01 PM on October 8, 2008