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Eragon

by Christopher Paolini · 2000

Eragon is the debut fantasy novel by Christopher Paolini and the first book in The Inheritance Cycle. It follows Eragon, a fifteen-year-old farm boy in the land of Alagaesia who finds a mysterious polished blue stone in the… more

First published 2002 · 509 pages · English

30 quotes ★ 3.97 (1,971,541) Fiction

Quotes from the Book

Books are my friends, my companions. They make me laugh and cry and find meaning in life.
People have an annoying habit of remembering things they shouldn't.
Keep in mind that many people have died for their beliefs; it's actually quite common. The real courage is in living and suffering for what you believe.
Eragon looked back at him, confused. "I don't understand." "Of course you don't," said Brom impatiently. "That's why I'm teaching you and not the other way around.
First, let no one rule your mind or body. Take special care that your thoughts remain unfettered... . Give men your ear, but not your heart. Show respect for those in power, but don't follow them blindly. Judge with logic and reason, but comment not. Consider none your superior whatever their rank or station in life. Treat all fairly, or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your beliefs and others will listen.
The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.
The greatest enemy is one that has nothing to lose.
It's amazing that a man who is dead can talk to people through these pages. As long as this books survives, his ideas live.
Mmm....she's doomed! You're doomed!! They're all doomed! Notice I didn't specify what kind of doom, so no matter what happens, I predicted it. How very WISE of me.
After all, how can a mere dragon expect to tell a man like yourself what to do? In fact, everyone should stand in awe of your brilliance of finding the only dead end. - Saphira
It's better to ask forgiveness than permission. - Brom
Into the sky to win or die.
Respect the past; you never know how it may affect you.
Thats the spirit-one part brave,three parts fool.
I'll fight when needed, revel when there's an occasion, mourn when there is grief and die if my time comes...But I will not let anyone use me against my will.
Life is in Fate's hands now. You made your choice to stay... it's too late to change that, so stop agonizing over it.... You're making my scales itch. Saphira, from "Eragon
I believe, Eragon, that you are full of love and that you are looking for one who will reciprocate your affection. No shame exists in that.
Saphira to Eragon: "If anything happens, I’m going to pin you to my back and never let you off. Eragon: I love you too. Saphira: Then I will bind you all the tighter.
To have a child is the greatest honor and responsibility that can be bestowed upon any living being.
From now on you're going to have to think. There's a reason why we're born with brains in our heads, not rocks.
Consider non your superior, whatever their rank or station in life. Treat all fairly or they will seek revenge. Be careful with your money. Hold fast to your belief and others will listen." he continued at a slower pace, " of the affairs of love ... my only advice is to be honest. thats your most powerfull too to unlock a heart or gain forgiveness. that is all i have to say"Garrow to Roran p 64
I didn't think I would ever meet a noble who wasn't corrupt. Now that I have, I find that I prefer them when they're greedy bastards. (Brom to Eragon)
Life is pain...anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something
My heart died a while back. [Eragon]
What is the worth of anything we do? The worth is in the act. Your worth halts when you surrender the will to change and experience life
do not worry about these things. find peace in where and what you are ~saphira to eragon page 429
Atra gulai un ilian tauthr ono un atra ono waise skolir fra rauthr. - Let luck and happiness follow you and may you be shielded from misfortune.
Forgive me if I stare, I knew you were young, but even then I was expecting someone a little more, well, more.
No hunter of the sky should end his days as prey. Better to die on the wing than pinned to the ground.
It s funny to see a hatchling like you beaten by the old one.

Did you know?

  • Christopher Paolini began writing Eragon when he was fifteen years old.
  • The novel was originally self-published by Paolini's family before Alfred A. Knopf acquired it in 2003.
  • Author Carl Hiaasen's stepson discovered the self-published book, which helped bring it to Knopf's attention.
  • Eragon spent more than 100 weeks on the New York Times Children's Best Seller list.
  • It is the first book of the four-volume Inheritance Cycle.
  • A feature film adaptation was released in December 2006.

About Christopher Paolini

Christopher Paolini, born in 1983, is an American author of Italian descent best known for The Inheritance Cycle. He began writing Eragon at age fifteen and became a New York Times bestselling author at nineteen.

More about the author →

About the book

Eragon is the debut fantasy novel by Christopher Paolini and the first book in The Inheritance Cycle. It follows Eragon, a fifteen-year-old farm boy in the land of Alagaesia who finds a mysterious polished blue stone in the mountains. The stone turns out to be a dragon egg, and when the dragon Saphira hatches and bonds with him, Eragon is drawn into an ancient legacy of Dragon Riders and thrust into conflict with the tyrannical King Galbatorix. After the king's servants destroy his home, Eragon flees with the storyteller Brom, a former Dragon Rider who teaches him magic and swordsmanship.

At its heart the book is a coming-of-age quest that weaves together classic fantasy themes: the discovery of hidden destiny, the bond between rider and dragon, loss and mentorship, and the struggle of a small resistance against an all-powerful empire. Paolini draws openly on the traditions of epic fantasy, building a world with its own history, races, and an invented Ancient Language that channels magic. The friendship and telepathic bond between Eragon and Saphira anchors the story's emotional core.

Eragon became a publishing phenomenon: Paolini began writing it at fifteen, his family self-published it in 2002, and after author Carl Hiaasen's family discovered it, Alfred A. Knopf reissued it in 2003. It spent well over a hundred weeks on the New York Times children's bestseller list, launched a four-book series, and was adapted into a 2006 feature film. It remains a touchstone for a generation of young fantasy readers, often cited as a gateway into the genre.

Key characters

  • EragonFifteen-year-old farm boy who becomes a Dragon Rider
  • SaphiraThe blue dragon who hatches from the egg and bonds with Eragon
  • BromVillage storyteller and former Dragon Rider who mentors Eragon
  • MurtaghA mysterious stranger who aids Eragon on his journey
  • AryaAn elf who sends the dragon egg to Eragon
  • GalbatorixThe tyrannical king of the Empire and chief antagonist

Book details

First published
2002
Length
509 pages
Reading time
31 hours
Genre
Fiction
Goodreads rating
3.97 (2M ratings)
First line
“Wind howled through the night, carrying a scent that would change the world.”

Series & reading order

  1. 1 Eragon
  2. 2 Eldest
  3. 3 Brisingr
  4. 4 Inheritance

Movie & TV adaptations

  • IMDb
    Eragon 2006

    Feature film directed by Stefen Fangmeier, starring Edward Speleers

If you liked this, read…

  1. 1
    The HobbitA classic coming-of-age quest through an epic fantasy world
  2. 2
    DragonflightCenters on the telepathic bond between humans and dragons
  3. 3
    The Sword of ShannaraEpic fantasy following a young hero against a dark tyrant

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