I really don’t understand why so many people hate Terry Practhett’s Eric. Yeah, it goes for humor instead of high philosophy. But it’s really, really funny. At least, I think so. And from what I’ve heard, it’s a pretty good send-up of Faust.
YMMV, I guess, but I don’t understand why people think it’s his worst.
It was written solely to showcase Josh Kirby’s art in the original large format edition, so the plot deliberately skews towards scenes that would look good painted up as illustrations. I believe most people who haven’t read that edition find the resulting story to be less than satisfying.
I’ve only read it in novel form, in which it’s kind of short. I’ve heard that it was originally a graphic novel. I’d really like to see that.
this post would make more sense if up higher in the queue
Well, mostly because of virtually everything else he’s ever written, I suppose. Eric’s a fairly standard fantasy comedy novel. Could have been written by Robert Aspirin or Esther Friesner, and indeed, probably has been, multiple times by both authors. 99% of Pratchett’s other stuff is both funnier and deeper, and the novel suffers badly by comparison.
I agree with Miller: When some authors create a simple, funny little story with no subtext or extra plot development, it’s a triumph and everyone’s happy. When Pratchett does it, he’s operating far below par and his fans are disappointed because they’ve come to expect quite a bit more. The fact it was a graphic novel shorn of its graphics and printed in another medium with no consideration for the differences between the two mediums just makes it worse.
I don’t hate it, I just don’t find it anywhere near his usual standards.
Not enough ‘Gosh’ moments, where he makes me look at something ordinary from a completely new angle, for one thing.
I have the non-illustrated version, I’ve never read Faust, and I don’t like Rincewind as a character (give me Vimes or Lipwig any day). That’s three major negatives for Eric, making it one of the worst Discworld books by far.
Malleus, Incus, Stapes! - or anyone else: have you read the non-illustrated version (and liked it)?
Because I can’t get the illustrated version anywhere and the text-only one is thin but costs the same as the “real” discworld books, which is why I haven’t bought it yet.
I’ve only read the illustrated one, and I really, really,* really* don’t like Josh Kirby’s artwork, so that’s why I don’t like it. As a (short) story it’s OK, but yes, not up to his usual standards (and I like Rincewind.)