The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm by Christopher Paolini

I borrowed this book from one of my colleagues at work, Rachel, with whom I share a love for books by Christopher Paolini. I started The Fork, the Witch, and the Worm on January 4 and finished it on January 16, 2019.

I loved this book!

I love the Eragon series!

This book is not that, but includes some of the same characters in short stories. What this is not - a continuation of the Eragon books as you know them. It doesn't wrap anything up, tell us in linear terms what happens next, or offer any sort of closure of the things unresolved from the Eragon books.

What this is - a collection of short stories, unrelated, that include some of the characters we already know and some new ones we are just meeting.

I thought the stories were quite entertaining. The characters are well developed. The stories are entertaining. You'll read stories about Murtaugh, Angela, and the Urgals, and have bits of Eragon in each.

If you are expecting another Eragon-like book - this is not that. If you like the way and style Paolini writes and his characters, you'll probably like this. Don't go into this with too many expectations - keep an open mind, and I bet you'll like it.

Zarafa by Michael Allin

So, after finishing Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, I picked up Zarafa: A Giraffe's True Story, from Deep in Africa to the Heart of Paris by Michael Allin.  So, yes, this is kind of a random book.  I learned about it in an article the Husband sent me in January.  The article had a list of 5 books that shaped "America's Best New Company," Shinola.  This list was created by Shinola's creative director, Daniel Caudill.  The 5th book on Caudill's list is Zarafa.  The Husband thought I would like this book because I love giraffes.  

Zarafa is about the journey, from Africa to Paris, of a giraffe given to King Charles by Muhammed Ali in the 1820s.  Um, what?  Apparently, Muhammed Ali, not the boxer, but an Albanian man who became the Ottoman viceroy of Egypt, gifted this giraffe to King Charles.  But the story is so much more than that.  There are all kinds of non-Egyptian movers and shakers scheming for money, riches, notoriety, influence that have a role and a mention (or more) in this book.

Before I started reading this book on March 21 (finished on April 14), I thought it would be a fascinating, crazy tale of the overland and sea adventures of a giraffe.  It was that, but it was much more.  Before I go more into the book, I feel the need to mention that I have a BA and MA degree in American History, so I've read a book or two by historians.  I know that often "history books" are dry and rambling, and that authors of history books need to drive their point home time and again by stating and restating the point and evidence over and over.  This makes for very dry and very boring books.

Unfortunately, Zarafa was one of these books.  I didn't want this book to be a "history book."  I wanted it to be a wonderful fiction-like non-fiction book.  I wanted it to be exciting, informative, endearing, and fun.  I wanted a grand adventure of a giraffe.  A lovely, sweet, tall giraffe.  But, sadly, no.  This was a "history book."

There was a lot of information about the players.  For example, Bernardino Drovetti, an Italian-born soldier turned French consul general in Egypt.  Drovetti made his fortune trafficking animals, Egyptian antiquities, and mummies to his European clients.  Muhammed Ali, an Albanian-born mercenary in the Ottoman Turkish army turned Egyptian viceroy.  Ali was "modernizing" Egypt with the African slave trade and "confiscatory taxation."  Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilarie, a prominent French scientist, and savant in the l'Institut d'Égypte, started by none other than Napoleon.  Charles X, a Frenchman, a King, and exiled to Britain during France's revolution.

This whole tale of the giraffe started with "Drovetti's eagerness to ingratiate himself with the new king, Charles X, and Muhammed Ali's desire to befriend him..." and would possibly lessen "resentment toward the viceroy's imminent invasion of Greece."  Of course everything prominent political and royal people do is to gain favor or lessen hostilities for one thing or another (in this case invading Greece).

We go through all of this political background and foundation before we even really learn about the giraffe.  In 1824, the giraffe (a female) was captured as an infant in southeast Sudan and by some miracle made it to Alexandria, and then to Marseille, and then to Paris.  What a journey.  Allin researched how the giraffe was transported, and all of the dangers she faced in her journey.  He detailed this journey as best he could using articles and snippets of information he found in his research.

Once in Paris, Allin details how she was cared for and then moved to Paris.  Spoiler alert - the giraffe walked to Paris.  Rich and influential people along the route were eager to see the giraffe at private events.  And, eventually upon arrival in Paris, the giraffe had the audience of the King.

It is a pretty fantastic tale wrapped up in tons of political maneuvering.  I wish there had been less focus on the politics and more information about the giraffe.  I know it isn't always possible to write more about certain things because, sadly, there is no historical evidence to back things up.  The author would have to assume and take creative license, but then it wouldn't be history any more... 

History is fascinating and wonderful to learn about if it is presented in a way that makes it intriguing and exciting.  I know it is possible - I've read several "history books" that didn't seem history-book-ish.  I wish this was more like those.  I still love giraffes, and I'm still fascinated by how a giraffe came from Africa to Paris.  I just wish this book was more about the giraffe and less about the politics.

Me feeding a giraffe at the SF Zoo - it was magical

The Husband feeding a giraffe at the SF Zoo

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Another big surprise here, after finishing Brisingr on February 15, I eagerly started book 4 in this series (and the last book), Inheritance.  I started Inheritance on February 16 and finished it on March 20.  As per usual with this series, this book picked right up where the last left off.

Inheritance finds everything about to come to a head.  The Varden are ready to make their move to battle Galbatroix and rid the Empire of him for good.  There are many hurdles to pass before they can engage in the battle to end all battles.  There is much planning, hardship, blood, and gore on that path.

Eragon is faced with a challenge given to him, in part, by Solembum the werecat.  So, off Eragon and Saphira go on this challenge not knowing what, if anything, they will find.  The rest of the Varden are left to prepare for their endgame.

     "With the pad of his thumb, Galbatroix pushed open the box's sliding lid.  Then he reached inside and pulled out what appeared to be a large, ivory-colored maggot.  The creature was almost three inches long, and it had a tiny mouth at one end, with which it uttered the skree-skree she had heard before, announcing its displeasure to the world.  It was plump and pleated, like a caterpillar, but if it had any legs, they were so small as to be invisible.

     As the creature wiggled in a vain attempt to free itself from between Galbatorix's fingers, the king said, 'This is a burrow grub.  It is not what it appears to be.  Few things are, but in the case of burrow grubs, that is all the more true.  They are found in only one place in Alagaësia and are far more difficult to capture than you might suppose.  Take it, then, as a sign of my regard for you... that I deign to use one on you.'  His voice dropped in tone, becoming even more intimate.  'I would not, however, wish to exchange places with you.'

     The skree-skree of the burrow grub increased in volume as Galbatorix dropped it onto the bare skin of her right arm, just below the elbow.  She flinched as the disgusting creature landed on her; it was heavier than it looked, and its underside gripped her with what felt like hundreds of little hooks.

     The burrow grub squalled for a moment more; then it gathered up its body in a tight bundle and hopped several inches up her arm.

     She wrenched at her bonds, hoping to dislodge the grub, but it continued to cling to her.

     Again it hopped.

     And again, now it was on her shoulder, the hooks pinching and digging into her skin like a strip of minute cockleburs.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the burrow grub lift up its eyeless head and point it toward her face, as if testing the air.  Its tiny mouth opened, and she saw it had sharp cutting mandibles behind its upper and lower lips...

     ...Then its fat, limbless body contracted, and it hopped four, five inches straight up into the air and then dove headfirst toward the inner part of her elbow.

     As it landed, the burrow grub divided into a dozen small, bright green centipedes, which swarmed over her arm before each chose a spot to sink its mandibles into her flesh and bore its way through her skin..."

Um, gross.  But you can totally imagine what that creature looked like, and the horror of it squirming around on your skin.  Yuck! 

So much happens that I can't really write about details for fear of giving too much away.  But, if you like dragon-fantasy-fiction books, you'll like this series.

The covers of each book have a different colored dragon on them.  At first, I wondered why, but then after the first 2 books, came to learn why.  Also, each book has a 1-word title, and throughout reading each of the books, you'll learn why too.  My favorite learning why was Brisingr - it was AWESOME!

Give these a read - each is quite long - but totally worth it. 

Brisingr by Christopher Paolini

Yet again, after finishing Eldest, I dove right into book 3 - Brisingr by Christopher Paolini.  I started Brisingr on January 11 and finished it on February 15.  And, surprise surprise, it was FANTASTIC!  Book 3 picked up right where Eldest left off, and did not disappoint.

Eragon goes through some crazy shit.  Roran goes through some crazy shit.  Pretty much all of the characters go through some crazy shit.  I can't write about what kinds of crazy they are all dealing with because that would give too much away and I don't want to spoil it for anyone who may want to read these books.

     "Like a pale, sun-bleached pennant, the dry blade of grass hung from between Arya's left thumb and forefinger.  It trembled in sympathy with each surge of blood through her veins.  Pinching it at the top with her other hand, she tore the leaf in half lengthwise, then did the same with each of the resulting strips, quartering the leaf.  Then she began to plait the strips, forming a stiff braided rod.  She said, 'Galbatroix's true name is no great secret.  Three different elves - one a Rider, and two ordinary spellcasters - discovered it on their own and many years apart.'

     'They did!' exclaimed Eragon.

     Unperturbed, Arya picked another blade of grass, tore it into strips, inserted the peices into the gaps in her braided rod, and continued plaiting in a different direction.  'We can only speculate whether Galbatroix himself knows his true name.  I am of the opinion that he does not, for whatever it is, his true name must be so terrible, he could not go on living if he heard it.'

     'Unless he is so evil or so demented, the truth about his actions has no power to disturb him.' 

     'Perhaps.'  Her nimble fingers flew so fast, twisting, braiding, weaving, that they were nearly invisible.  She picked two more blades of grass... With a pleased expression, she held out her hands, palms-upward.  Resting on them was an exquisite ship made out of green and white grass.  It was no more than four inches long, but so detailed, Eragon descried benches for rowers, tiny railings along the edge of the deck, and portholes the size of raspberry seeds.  The curved prow was shaped somewhat like the head and neck of a rearing dragon.  There was a single mast...  Arya leaned forward and murmured, 'Flauga.'  She gently blew upon the ship, and it rose from her hands and sailed around the fire and then, gathering speed, slanted upward and glided off into the sparkling depths of the night sky.

     'How far will it go?' 

     'Forever,' she said.  'It takes the energy to stay aloft from the plants below.  Wherever there are plants, it can fly.'

     The thought bemused Eragon, but he also found it rather sad to think of the pretty grass ship wandering among the clouds for the rest of eternity, with none but birds for company.

This book is well-written, as are all of the others.  The stories and plots grab you and don't let go.  You won't want to put this book (or any of the books in this series) down easily.  I constantly wanted to read more and more to see what was going to happen.  I had a growing melancholy that there was only one 849-page book left.

Eldest by Christopher Paolini

So, after finishing Eragon by Christopher Paolini on December 14, I dove right into book 2 in the series - Eldest.  I started it on December 15 and finished it on January 10, 2016.  My how time flies - another year of books under my belt - 18 in total in 2015.

Eldest picks right up where Eragon ended, and it does not disappoint.  I still have a tough time believing that a 15-year old wrote these books.  They are so complicated, coherent, detailed, and great for such a young person to have written them.  There are several different plot-lines in Eldest - Eragon, his cousin Roran, Nasuada, and others.  I don't want to give much away here, but OMG - some crazy shit goes down.  Shit you don't expect at all.

There are elements of magical surprise, dwarf violence, gory battle, drug-induced euphoria, dragon-spirit healing, and more.

     "Then the elves began to sing in their clear, flutelike voices.  They sang many songs, yet each was but part of a larger melody that wove an enchantment over the dreamy night, heightening senses, removing inhibitions, and burnishing the revels with fey magic... The throbbing music enveloped Eragon, and he felt a wild abandon take hold of him, a desire to run free of his life and dance through elven glades forever more.  Beside him, Saphira hummed along with the tune, her glazed eyes lidded halfway.

     What transpired afterward, Eragon was never able to adequately recall.  It was as if he had a fever and faded in and out of consciousness.  He could remember certain incidents with vivid clarity - bright, pungent flashes filled with merriment - but it was beyond him to reconstruct the order in which they occurred.  He lost track of whether it was day or night, for no matter the time, dusk seemed to pervade the forest.  Nor could he ever say if he had slumbered, or needed sleep, during the celebration.."

I watched the movie Eragon, with high hopes that it would do a good job visualizing the book.  I was disappointed.  Some parts of the movie were good, but not good enough.  It seemed like a very low-budget version of what could be a spectacular movie.  Maybe, just maybe, if they make any of the other 3 books into movies now, they will be exponentially better.

Paolini is quite skilled at painting detailed, vivid pictures with words.  While reading, I could really envision the surroundings, the characters, I could hear the sounds, I could feel the intensity of situations.  To me, this is what great books should be able to do - bring the reader into the world of the book.  I remember back when I was younger, watching episodes of Gumby and Pokey.  I wish I possessed their power to walk into books - like the intro says "He can walk into any book with his pony pal Pokey too..." - what a fun skill!

What book would you walk into?

Eragon by Christopher Paolini

So, after finishing Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, I decided to work my way through the next book series my nephew Alex loaned me - The Interitance Cycle by Christopher Paolini - book 1 - Eragon.  Christopher Paolini was 15 years old (!!!) when he wrote the first draft of Eragon.  This book doesn't seem like something a normal 15 year old would write.  The language and vocabulary are that of a much older and wiser adult, not that of a kid.  I was surprised, and still am, that this book came from a 15 year old.  But age aside, this is a well-written, exciting to read book.  I started it on November 15 and finished it on December 14.

I have to admit that the first part of the book was a bit slow and it didn't immediately grab me.  It seemed to be another fantasy book with elements of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and other similar books.  Nothing reached out immediately and grabbed me.  But as I kept reading, the story slowly grew more exciting and intriguing, and by the end, it was hard to put the book down.  I usually read before going to bed, and usually can only get through like 10 pages before I start the head nod, eyes closing, falling asleep thing.  But with exciting and thrilling books, especially at then end, the excitement keeps me awake and it is hard to put the book down.  I just want to see / read what happens.  This book totally did that.  As I got to the end of the book, so much was going on that though I was so tired and wanted to go to sleep, I kept on reading and reading.

I vaguely remember that this was a movie several years back - 2006 to be exact.  As I sat down this afternoon to write about Eragon, I looked up the movie trailer.  Initially I thought it was an animated film like How to Train Your Dragon.  But when I watched the actual trailer, it is decidedly not an animated film.  It looks dark and gritty, just like the book.  I kind of want to rent or find this on-demand to watch later today.

In a nut shell, Eragon is a boy who lives in a land ruled by an evil king.  One day while out hunting, Eragon finds a peculiar blue stone.  He picks it up in the hopes that he can get someone to buy it so he can use the money to buy food and meat for his uncle and cousin.  The butcher won't buy it, and Eragon is concerned that he is returning home with no food to eat.  One of the townspeople, Horst, buys meat for Eragon in exchange for him working during the springtime.  Eragon gets meat, and gets to keep the stone.

     "The stone has given him nothing but frustration and anger, and now it would not even let him sleep!  It ignored his furious glare and sat solidly, occasionally peeping.  Then it gave one very loud squeak and fell silent.  Eragon warily put it away and got back under the sheets.  Whatever secret the stone held, it would have to wait until morning.

      The moon was shining through his window when we woke again.  The stone was rocking rapidly on the shelf, knocking against the wall.  It was bathed in cool moonlight that bleached its surface.  Eragon jumped out of bed, knife in hand.  The motion stopped, but he remained tense.  Then the stone started squeaking and rocking faster than ever.

     With an oath, he began dressing.  He did not care how valuable the stone might be; he was going to take it far away and bury it.  The rocking stopped; the stone became quiet.  It quivered, then rolled forward and dropped onto the floor with a loud thump.  He inched toward the door in alarm as the stone wobbled toward him.

     Suddenly a crack appeared on the stone.  Then another and another.  Transfixed, Eragon leaned forward, still holding the knife.  At the top of the stone, where all the cracks met, a small piece wobbled, as if it were balanced on something, then rose and toppled to the floor.  After another series of squeaks, a small dark head poked out of the hole, followed by a weirdly angled body.  Eragon gripped the knife tighter and held very still.  Soon the creature was ll the way out of the stone.  It stayed in place for a moment, then skittered into the moonlight.

     Eragon recoiled in shock.  Standing in front if him, licking off the membrane that encased it, was a dragon." 

This event changes Eragon's life forever.  He makes some unbelievable discoveries about the town's storyteller, Broom, he meets some unreal and unusual friends on an adventure of, literally, a lifetime.

The writing and imagination in this book really do seem beyond the abilities of a normal 15 year old.  The details and descriptions of people and places really make it so you can envision everything you are reading about.  I especially like the dialog between Eragon and his dragon, Saphira.  No, silly, dragons can't talk, but they do have a kind of mind-meld with their Rider (Eragon is Saphira's Rider).  Saphira is snarky and opinionated, and I like it!

I'm a few days into the 2nd book in the series, Eldest, and so far I'm really liking it.  Can't wait to see where this book & series goes.