Eric (Discworld 9)

[jazzfish]

Faust Eric marks the reappearance of Rincewind, the cowardly wizard last seen banished to the Dungeon Dimensions at the end of Sourcery. Here he's accidentally summoned out of the Dungeon Dimensions by a fifteen-year-old demonologist. Eric (the demonologist) demands that the demon Rincewind grant him three wishes: mastery of the kingdoms of the world, the most beautiful woman in existence, and eternal life. Hijinks, as you might imagine, ensue.

Well, they can't all be winners.

It's slight, is what it is. After the relative thematic weight of Pyramids and Guards! Guards!, and even of Sourcery, Eric just doesn't hold up. It reads like a bunch of set-piece gags: the jungle tribe, the Creation, the Trojan war, the Inferno, all wrapt up in the Faust gag. They're none of them bad gags, mind. I enjoyed the Trojan war in particular ("Lavaeolus," GODDAMMIT PRATCHETT). The writing and the sly humour have matured substantially since Colour of Magic. And the whole scheming-demons metaplot hung together nicely. It just left me with a sense of ... was that it? Really?

Apart from the bit in Unseen University at the very beginning, and the presence of Rincewind and the Luggage, there's almost no reason for this to be a Discworld novel. Not unlike Colour of Magic, honestly. But TCoM had the excuse of being the first Discworld. Eric is just a weird throwback. Good but not what one expects, or necessarily wants.

Up next: Moving Pictures.

Comments

[jazzfish]

Huh. I'd believe that. Unfortunately my ebooks lack illustrations. :( Perhaps I'll try and dig up a copy with them.