Christopher Paolini: Difference between revisions
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==Criticism== |
==Criticism== |
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{{see also|Inheritance Trilogy#Derivative nature of the books}} |
{{see also|Inheritance Trilogy#Derivative nature of the books}} |
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Some critics of his work have noted a derivative, indeed, plagiaristic tone of the series |
Some critics of his work have noted a derivative, indeed, plagiaristic tone of the series. |
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==Writing in other media== |
==Writing in other media== |
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Revision as of 21:29, 18 September 2006
Christopher Paolini | |
|---|---|
| Author of Bestseller Eragon Author of Bestseller Eragon | |
| Born | November 17, 1983 California |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Website | |
| Alagaesia.com | |
Christopher Paolini (born November 17, 1983) is the author of the Inheritance trilogy.
Biography
Paolini was born in Southern California, though he was raised and still lives in the Paradise Valley area of Montana. His parents are Kenneth Paolini and Talita Hodgkinson. Paolini is of Italian descent.[1] He has one sister, Angela. Home schooled for his entire life, he graduated high school at the age of 15 through an accredited correspondence course. Following graduation, he started work on what would become the novel Eragon and its sequel, all set in Alagaësia.
Nature influences much of Paolini's writing. In a three-way interview with Philip Pullman and Tamora Pierce, Paolini stated that Paradise Valley is "one of the main sources" of his inspiration.[2] In Eldest Paolini explained that his elves were atheists and vegetarians. When asked if he is a vegetarian, he answered, "No, I am not vegetarian, although I lean in that direction."[3]
Career
In 2002, Eragon was published privately by his parents through Paolini International, LLC. To promote the book, Paolini toured over 135 schools and libraries, discussing reading and writing, all the while dressed in "a medieval costume of red shirt, billowy black pants, lace-up boots, and a jaunty black cap." [4]
During one of his promotional tours, he gave a speech at the school of the stepson of Carl Hiaasen; Hiaasen enjoyed the book so much, he told his publisher, Knopf about it[5]. An offer was made by Knopf for Eragon and the rest of the Inheritance trilogy. After another round of editing, the second edition of Eragon was published in August 2003. At the age of nineteen, he became a New York Times bestselling author[6].
With regard to his prose, Paolini has said, "In my writing, I strive for a lyrical beauty somewhere between Tolkien at his best and Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf"[7]. He has recently written Eldest, the sequel to Eragon. The release date for the final book in the Inheritance Trilogy has not been determined.
Paolini made the cover art for the first edition of Eragon, which featured Saphira's eye. He also drew the maps on the inside covers of his books.[8]
Literary influences
Information from from Paolini's biography on his trilogy's official website.[9]
- Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher by Bruce Coville
- Dune by Frank Herbert
- Magician by Raymond E. Feist
- His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman
- Anne McCaffrey
- Jane Yolen
- Brian Jacques
- E.R. Eddison
- David Eddings
- Ursula LeGuin
- Beowulf
- The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
- Norse mythology
- Old English
- Icelandic sagas
Criticism
Some critics of his work have noted a derivative, indeed, plagiaristic tone of the series.
Writing in other media
A movie adaption of Eragon is scheduled for release on December 15, 2006.
Trivia
- Paolini is red-green colorblind. He sees mostly in blue.
- He likes classical music.
- He has two pets. One is a black-and-white cat named Otis and the other a cocker/Australian sheperd mix named Annie.[10]
References
- ^ http://www.alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm
- ^ http://www.powells.com/authors/hiassen.html
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/037582670X/002-9278409-1982408?n=283155
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/books/bestseller/0528bestchildren.html
- ^ http://www.bordersstores.com/walden/feature.jsp?file=paoliniw
- ^ See reviews: VOYA, "Eragon"; Kirkus, "Eldest"; School Library Journal, "Eldest"
- ^ Paolini, C., Eragon, Paolini International LLC, 2002.
- ^ http://alagaesia.com/christopherpaolini.htm
- {{note}shurtugal}} http://www.shurtugal.com/?id=trilogy/christopher/qanda
External links
- Official website, which includes autobiographical comments from Paolini
- Eragon summary, from Random House
- Video clip from the Amazon.com website
- Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction, from Powell's books