Belgarath the Sorcerer
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| Author | David Eddings and Leigh Eddings |
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| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Del Rey Books |
Publication date | 1995 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 736 pp (paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-345-40395-9 |
| OCLC | 34873399 |
Belgarath the Sorcerer is a book by David Eddings and Leigh Eddings.
Set in the same universe as the Eddings' The Belgariad and The Malloreon, it is a prequel to the other series, although the framework story is set after the events of The Malloreon.
The book opens shortly after the end of The Malloreon with Belgarion, with help from Durnik, pestering Belgarath to write an autobiographical account of the events prior to The Belgariad. The core of the book is in the form of Belgarath's memoirs starting with his becoming an outcast from his village and becoming first disciple of the god Aldur and ending with the birth of Belgarion—a span of about seven thousand years.
Polgara the Sorceress is a companion book to Belgarath the Sorcerer which form the memoirs of Belgarath's elder daughter, Polgara.
Inconsistencies
Belgarath creates inconsistencies with the rest of the books in the series:
- According to Belgarath, the name of the Rivan prince who survived the assassination of the royal family was Geran, whereas in Castle of Wizardry, the name was Gareth. It has been acknowledged that this is a typing error in "Castle of Wizardry".
- In Magician's Gambit, the Voice of Prophecy tells Garion that he has never spoken to Belgarath directly, whereas Belgarath records many conversations between Belgarath and the voice.
- Also in Magician's Gambit, upon finding the Marag slave woman Taiba, Belgarath shows very strong relief and states that he has been "worried for a thousand years" about her whereabouts. This is contradicted by Belgarath, wherein he retains sight of her throughout.
- In Pawn of Prophecy, Belgarath is surprised to be called 'Grandfather' by Garion; yet in Belgarath he is so addressed by all of his descendants.
- In Seeress of Kell, Belgarath and Polgara mention that during the battle of Vo Mimbre the enemy had used illusion in their tactics, and Belgarath recalls trying to keep their side in control; yet this is not shown in Belgarath.
- In Sorceress of Darshiva, Beldin and Belgarath discuss Beldin's first use of sorcery, discussing how Beldin was angry with Belgarath and did damage to a tree; yet in Belgarath this is not the case.
It should be noted, however, that both versions are depicted as subjective.