Eragon

Posted: April 2, 2006 | Author: | Filed under: Book of Sand | Leave a comment

by Christopher Paolini

Another “free” book from that book club. I was possibly less interested in reading this than I had been in Inkheart, but, encouraged by the surprising success of Inkheart, I decided to start reading Eragon.
 
Yeah, disappointing. I’d heard all this critical acclaim about how Paolini was homeschooled and wrote this book at age Ridiculous, etc., etc.; but to me it was one of the most generic archetypal hero journeys ever written. I understand that it’s similar to other great hero journeys because they have so much in common, but I felt like Paolini borrowed elements from every well-known story and pasted them together in a horribly obvious way. One word: predictable. And that was the biggest problem, because I almost never try to think about what’s coming next – yet Eragon had no surprises, no twists, and no action intense enough that I kept turning the pages eagerly. Instead, I had plenty of time to let my subconscious work out the hints and foreshadowing, so that nothing caught me off guard.
 
I have a hard time believing that everyone else loves this book, and that it’s been made into a movie, and that there are two more critically-acclaimed novels to follow. But apparently Paolini is a very good writer and I just happened to miss that bit of the book.

hotel rwanda

Posted: April 2, 2006 | Author: | Filed under: Bartleby the Scrivener | Leave a comment

we watched hotel rwanda again tonight. maybe it’s been a bad week — or not so much bad as emotional. that documentary on thursday (seoul train) was rough. and watching this movie tonight…it’s disheartening. I know there are so many of us in the world praying for peace, but are we powerless? what do our efforts do in the face of so much hatred and violence? surely we won’t — we can’t — stop trying, but it does seem futile at times. what can I do here in utah or california that will help ease the suffering of people in north korea or africa?

I don’t want my children born into a world like this. but I feel helpless to make a difference. there must be something I can do. they need wells in africa. simple wells, that are easy to use and easy to fix. they don’t cost much to build and they make a huge difference to the people in the community. how do I build a well in africa? where is someone who will take my money and use it to build a well in africa? I know the church’s humanitarian aid fund is probably the best venue for such endeavors. it’s always been my goal to serve as a senior missionary when I’m older, but today I decided that I’ll go on a humanitarian mission if circumstances allow. that way I can make a difference.

but what now? what can I do with my resources and my talents? jarom told me I should consider an african studies major if I’m serious about helping there. I do want to help. I want to spend my life helping other people be better off. but I don’t know how. donating money is not my best option right now. I want to DO something…make something, go somewhere, be somebody that changes one facet of life for one person in need. that would be enough for one day. and the next day I would help another person. I have other things to give besides money, and I think they could be put to good use, if only I knew how.