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RIP David Eddings
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:33 am
by Loredoctor
CARSON CITY, Nev. -- Fantasy writer David Carroll Eddings died Tuesday of natural causes at his home here, his family announced. He was 77.
Eddings wrote more than two dozen novels, including the multi-volume "Belgariad" and "Malloreon" series. Many were written with his wife Leigh, who died in 2007. His last book was "The Younger Gods" published in 2006.
In 1973, Eddings published "High Hunt," a non-fantasy story that explored themes of manhood and coming of age for four men on a hunting trip shortly after the Vietnam War.
Several years later, Eddings read J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" and decided fantasy writing was his calling.
"He said, 'This is where it's at,'" his brother, Dennis Eddings recalled.
Eddings, a Spokane, Wash., native, had owned a home here since 1988.
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:44 am
by Avatar
Never been a big fan, but sad nonetheless. IMO, High Hunt was the best book he ever wrote. Beat his fantasy stuff hands down.
--A
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:52 am
by Damelon
Sad indeed.
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 10:58 am
by Infelice
I read the Belgariad, the Mallorean and books related to these sagas enjoyed them all.
Sad
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:16 pm
by aliantha
RIP indeed, Mr. Eddings. I read the Belgariad and liked it.
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 7:43 pm
by Creator
While some criticized his work for being to light; the Belgariad and related books always brought a smile to my face. Enjoyable through and through. Rest in peace.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 1:32 pm
by ur-monkey
He always said his aim in life is to get people to read books, not to win literature awards.
I read the Belgariad and Mallorean first in 1988, right after finishing TCOTC
for the first time, and I loved its levity in contrast. Eddings (like SRD but in a very different way) provided me with many, many happy hours absorbed in the world he had created, and his characters were most endearing. Though his later work became repetitive and somewhat formulaic, I've always thought of him as a gifted 'page-turner'.
Rest In Peace Dave and Leigh. And thanks!
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:21 pm
by drew
Eddings' charactors were all very real to me.
You knew which one's were in despair, and which one's were going to leave you in stitches.
I think he's the only fantasy author I've ever read, that made me laugh out loud more than once in a book.
I wonder if he was working on anything before he died.
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 2:23 pm
by ur-monkey
I read that his brother said he was working on some sort of fantasy spoof manuscript, but I don't know any details or how far along the manuscript was...
Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 11:45 pm
by stonemaybe
I really enjoyed the Belgariad as a teenager. I remember re-reading Queen of Sorcery (I think that was the name, the 2nd one) loads. RIP Mr Eddings.
Posted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:51 am
by matrixman
I will remember him best for the Belgariad. That series is forever a part of my early 80's memories - right beside the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. But whereas Covenant was thoroughly an adult story, the Belgariad was wrapped up in an aura of innocence.
The Belgariad was a lot of fun. Memorable characters and races spread across a consistent world, swashbuckling battles, exciting travels, and a nice take on the age-old struggle between Good and Evil. I also liked the system or "theory" of magic Eddings developed for the Belgariad universe, maybe because it was relatively simple to understand.
I haven't touched the Belgariad in years, but I think I'll read it again sometime in tribute to Mr. Eddings.