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

[ironymaiden]

I like the Rincewind books the least.

[jazzfish]

This seems to be a common opinion! I'm a little surprised that I share it, given that I liked Sourcery... but only a little.

(I still have no regrets about reading in pub order and starting with TCoM, though.)

[jessie_c]

Just as The Last Hero, Faust Eric is meant to be read as a graphic-enhanced novel. The print version definitely comes off as second best, and as you say, slight.
It's funny enough, but definitely not a top-tier Discworld book.

[jazzfish]

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