David Eddings, RIP
I just found out that David Eddings died a couple of days ago and it is affecting me more than I thought it would. While he may never have been an incredibly literary author his books were some of the first proper fantasy I ever read, and were extremely influential when I was a teenager.
The Pawn of Prophacy was the first book of his that I read and his world of high fantasy, children facing the dilemmas of growing up and grouchy old wizards really helped me to imagine worlds outside my own. I’ve read the entire Belgariad series multiple times through out my teens and it lead me to other great authors with other fantastic stories to tell. One day I’m going to give Pawn of Prophacy to another kid who is interested in fantasy and hope it fires their imagination like it did mine.
1 Comment to David Eddings, RIP
I agree. While his books would never win literary awards they frequently topped the best-seller lists. More importantly though is the love they instill in the reader – he was at the forefront of the current fantasy “boom” and his stories deserve to be read for generations to come.
While some authors come across as hypocritical, writing mass market books to serve an existing popular genre, I always felt he believed in his characters and worlds.
Thanks for the memories and many a happy hour engrossed in the pages of his novels. He will be missed.
June 17, 2009