Conservative Book Talk

Can man travel through time? As cool as that sounds, I doubt it could be possible. I doubt it from a philosophical point of view: if I could travel in time, why couldn’t I change history? Crichton argues that no significant changes can be introduced, but his explanation falls a bit flat. Science teaches us that the introduction of new elements will always change the environment (ergo, by adding a new person in the past, we change history). So, could you go back and evangelize someone who has already died? So, no, I don’t think time travel could work even though it would be really cool.

In this book, Crichton bases his time travel on concept of the multiverse. This theory is based on quantum physics and Crichton does a good job of explaining it. (It’s a little disconcerting to have journalists treat this theory as tested fact….) Still, instead of actually traveling back in time, they travel via a worm hole back into an alternate universe at an earlier point in time via quantum mechanics. One of the biggest flaws with the logic is here: how can I modify something in a parallel universe and have it affect my current universe? Anyway, that’s nit picking.

If Crichton does one thing well, it’s that he manages to explain science in an understandable manner. Whether it’s a discussion of compression algorithms or quantum mechanics, he does the science justice.

Now, for the negatives: profanity, some descriptive Middle Ages violence, and an honest portrayal of the sins of the past. Not that he goes graphic in these sins, but they are stated and treated as common and unremarkable for that time. These things tend to be glossed over in modern histories, but Crichton doesn’t do that. He makes every attempt to ensure reality in this book.

In fact, this leads us to the benefit of the book: his historical accuracy. This book could be a treatise for the Middle Ages. Repeatedly, the characters lecture each other and passing people about an erroneous term: Dark Ages. In fact, the characters repeatedly tell us that western civilization owes the Middle Ages for modern financial, political, and industrial systems. All three areas were founded in the Middle Ages. In many ways, the time travel and the adventures of the time traveling team are merely artifices used to bring the past to life.

Any book that can cause my wife and I to stop and carry on scientific, political, sociological, or historical discussions is worth reading.

Oh wait, you wanted an idea of the plot? Novel idea for a book review…. This archaeologist is stuck in the past. His assistants/students go back to save him. Now go read the book and revel in the discussion and descriptions of an early period of life.

Tags: History, Matt Gardenghi, Michael Crichton, Middle Ages, Timeline

Just so we’re not confused: We are posting another point of view on Brisingr by another reviewer for more perspective. MTG

Christopher Paolini’s Brisingr is the third book of four in the Inheritance series, and I read it because I had already trudged through the first two books and wanted to know where the epic-length tale was headed. The reason I had first delved into his series was simply out of curiosity; I mean, who wouldn’t want to read a story about a boy and his dragon, right? And after the reviewing world hailed the series a masterpiece, I thought I should see what all the hype was about.

Brisingr (the word for “fire” in the ancient language) begins with Eragon, the last of the free dragon riders, who seeks the destruction of the evil beings who wreaked havoc on his family. He continues seeking for truth: truth about his life, role, and beliefs. He still grapples with his role in the destruction of the evil ruler, a Sauron-like character, who fell from his place as dragon rider years earlier.

Christopher Paolini grew up in Montana and graduated from high school at the age of fifteen. At the age of nineteen he published his first bestseller, Eragon (which also became a movie shortly thereafter). I was skeptical of this new writer at first, thinking that the only reason for his book’s popularity was because of the author’s demographics.

Paolini uses the English language masterfully (and even some of his created Elvish and Dwarvish languages), and I especially enjoyed his employment of new and exciting vocabulary words. His fresh ideas on fantasy bring to life his story; he does his best to avoid the hackneyed fantasy plots where the good guy always defeats the bad guy, gets the girl, and lives happily ever after. He also does a very good job of creating characters who act consistently throughout the plot without being too predictable.

The book’s jacket notes some praise for Paolini’s series: U.S. News & World Report says that Brisingr is “the new ‘It’ book of children’s lit.” I would contend that this statement is indeed far from truth. Objectionable elements crop up throughout the entire seven-hundred-page book. The gore factor in this book has been elevated much from the first two; the author goes into great detail of the manners in which the men die. Foul language is also scattered here and there. Paolini occasionally uses the words in a correct sense, but a majority of the time he uses the words simply as profanity. He has also skillfully woven in philosophical and religious tones. In one situation, a pagan god appears to the dwarves and blesses them. At another time, Eragon wonders if the atheism of the elves is the right way to believe. The book seems ambivalent on the issues and lends itself to further study. I would not recommend this book to children or young adults, who are yet forming their world views, and I think that those who commit to reading this series (this book especially) should do so with caution.

Tags: Brisingr, Christopher Paolini, fantasy, Inheritance, Jonathan Blumer, Youth Fiction

Plot: The third installment to the Inheritance cycle, originally a trilogy, begins a few days after where the last one left off.

Eragon, Roran and Saphira are hiding near Helgrind, a evil looking mountain that hides the Ra’zac, their hated enemies. They are watching a procession of people walking toward Helgrind. As they find out, the people are their to sacrifice to the Ra’zac, whom they consider gods. After a gruesome ceremony, the people leave and Eragon and Roran leave to wait until dawn for their attack on the evil fortress to rescue Katrina, Roran’s betrothed. Morning comes quickly and our two cousins set off on Saphira to find an entrance into the seemingly impenetrable mountain. As it turns out, the dark face of the mountain is a mere illusion. Finding this, the threesome fly inside; it is quiet, but soon the Ra’zac parents, large and ugly winged creatures, attack Saphira together, while their two children attack Eragon and Roran.

After a long fight, they rescue Katrina and Roran and Saphira leave Eragon, unwillingly, to stay and kill the last Ra’zac. He remains for his secret reasons, of course, he kills the Ra’zac and rescues Sloan, the man who betrayed Roran and his entire village to the Ra’zac months before. After learning Sloan’s ‘true’ name and sending him to the elves, Eragon heads back to the Varden on foot. He meets Arya along the way, finding out that she came to find him. Less than a week passes and Eragon and Arya arrive back at the Varden.

They have not too long to recuperate, for not a week passes before Galdaborix sends three hundred soldiers, (who cannot feel pain) to attack the Varden. Along with Thorn and Murtagh. Eragon and Saphira fly out to meet their long time foes in the air, and defeat them with the help of thirteen spell-casters below. Thorn and Murtagh, however defeated, get away. Thus ends the first battle of the book. Nasuada has ever increasing problems with the dwarfs and sends Eragon to encourage the dwarfs to pick a new king, before Galdaborix finds out that Eragon is not in the camp and tries to send Thorn and Murtagh back to attack the Varden.

Positive: Our liking of Eragon increases somewhat in this sequel to the sequel. Though he still could use a bit of help. He is learning to control his temper and tongue, which relieves us greatly. Galdaborix is shown to be even more evil in this book than in the last, and we come to wish him dead and gone long before the end. The author’s writing style is pleasant and detailed, if somewhat long winded. I must admit the book kept my attention most of the time.

Negative: There is a rather gruesome ceremony in the beginning, involving men cutting off their limbs in worship to the Ra’zac, and two slaves are left to be eaten by the Ra’zac. There is a contest between two leaders to see who is braver, which includes cutting ones arms repeatedly (namely eight times) until one of the two gives way and can’t take anymore. Gods are mentioned and one briefly seen. There’s the blood of battles, but not much else. (I think he spends two too many chapters on Roran, Eragon’s cousin.) A man is flogged with fifty lashes.

Overall: The author has a hugely complicated plot, one which is rather creative. I think he has bit too much detail at times. The author is, for the most part, very good at keeping ones attention engaged. I think I have enjoyed the first book best. I mostly enjoyed this book and would recommend it, if the forth makes up for the second and third.

Tags: Brisingr, Christopher Paolini, fiction, Hannassus