Belgariad saga
The Belgariad saga is a novel cycle by the American fantasy writer David Eddings , which was published in five volumes. In the American original, the first volume of the cycle appeared in 1982, the last in 1984. The English original titles of the books contain all terms from the game of chess - this is supposed to reflect that the novels are about the game of fate. This allusion was not included in the German translation.
The universe of the Belgariad saga
The world in which the Belgariad saga takes place is referred to as earth in the books. On this fictional earth there are two continents that are connected by a land bridge. Various forms of magic play an important role in the Belgariad saga, they are practiced by magicians and priests, among others. There are demons in the world of the Belgariad saga, gods who have a very direct influence on people, as well as two overriding powers. In addition to humans, the world is populated by numerous mythical and fictional beings, such as dryads , harpies , dragons and hruglins. Technically, the world of the Belgariad saga is roughly on a par with the Middle Ages. The most common fights are fought with bows and arrows, swords and axes. At the beginning of the series, the naive-childlike hero of the series, Garion, fights against the evil embodied by Torak , a god, and his followers, with the support of friends and protectors .
The series of books The Malloreon Saga takes place in the same world and is, as it were, a continuation of the Belgariad saga. The later published books Belgarath the Magician and Polgara the Magician can be understood as prequels of the Belgariad saga. The Riva Codex is the last book that David Eddings lets play in this world and above all provides background information.
Basic act
The Belgariad saga has a classic quest storyline. The cycle depicts the fulfillment of a prophecy. At the center of the action are a stolen magical jewel and an adolescent: Garion, who against his will becomes the fulfiller of the prophecy and thus saves his world. Garion is supported by the magician Belgarath and his daughter Polgara as well as other helpers, mentors and friends.
The individual books
- Child of prophecy. Bastei Lübbe , Bergisch Gladbach 1984, ISBN 3-404-20189-2 , Pawn of Prophecy. 1982.
- Spell of the snake. Bastei Lübbe, Bergisch Gladbach 1985, ISBN 3-404-20196-5 , Queen of Sorcery. 1982.
- Game of magicians. Bastei Lübbe, Bergisch Gladbach 1985, ISBN 3-404-20203-1 , Magician's Gambit. 1983.
- Tower of the Witcher. Bastei Lübbe, Bergisch Gladbach 1985, ISBN 3-404-20209-0 , Castle of Wizardry. 1984.
- Duel of the magicians. Bastei Lübbe, Bergisch Gladbach 1985, ISBN 3-404-20215-5 , Enchanters End Game. 1984.
reception
"A series that's incredibly popular and well-loved by fantasy fans the world over." ( TV Tropes )
"'Classic' quest fantasy in the best sense of the word, whereby one should keep in mind that he [David Eddings] by no means only used narrative platitudes, but helped to create them himself." ( Bibliotheka Fantastika )
The Belgariad saga is regarded as the model for many fantasy books with quest plots in the 1980s and 1990s.
Individual evidence
- ^ Literature: The Belgariad. TV Tropes, accessed May 18, 2015 .
- ↑ David Eddings. Biblioteka Phantastika, July 7, 2011, accessed May 18, 2015 .
- ↑ Obituary: David Eddings, 1931–2009. (No longer available online.) Sffworld, June 3, 2009, archived from the original on July 10, 2015 ; Retrieved May 18, 2015 .