Belgariad (XI) / Malloreon (6) / Belgarath the Sorcerer (1) by David and Leigh Eddings
What happened before and how the world was torn - Belgarath the Sorcerer by David and Leigh Eddings (French Belgarath le sorcier les années noires and Belgarath le sorcier les années d'espoir, in German Belgarath der Zauberer). I read it in English where it contained 723 pages. Originally published in 1995.
Under pressure by Durnik, Garion, Polgara and his wife, Belgarath writes his own biography, starting at his hometown, Gara; and ending at Faldor's Farm. Read his colourful description of the Vale and its inhabitants, his wife, Poledra, the taking of the Orb, his daughters, the heir to the Rivan throne, the Battle of Vo Mimbre and the Godslayer - and all the crises in between.
Very well done, especially his description of Poledra and Polgara. I like how the book is written exactly as how Belgarath would tell them. It's tense and funny, especially the "author's" comments. But he is a little childish, isn't he? The thing with his ex-brother? Seriously?
What I think a little strange as well is that there are so damn many hints about Poledra, and still he doesn't even suspect. But continues whoring and drinking the whole time!
But what I love is how this all starts – I mean all this about Garion and the rest. In the sequel, the beginning is good as well, these parts out of Ce'Nedra's view. I just which they'd said how Pol named her children.
I love Poledra, by the way. She's really cool. And totally has her husband under her paw, which is funny. Eternal Belgarath, under anyone's command?
It's, by the way, really cool how fast he learns, especially how fast he learns to love his wife. That really takes him long! But the cracking of the World is so amazingly described! Poor Ulgos.
The whole retrieving of the Orb is wonderfully done. Riva and his brothers are gorgeous!
I'm so sorry for him. How he broke after her “death”, I mean. Even though what he did really sucked.
The girls' out of his view are pretty interesting as well: Beldaran really is a dear – and it's a little creepy how Riva described her to Belgarath – as the girl he sleeps with in his dreams. That's exactly what the loving father wants to hear!
It's amazing how Belgarath manages all those politics and keeps an eye on everyone. Seriously. That's gorgeours, as his idea how to keep Garion's later stalker in check. What a shame it didn't work...
I also like the brothers of his. How they interact, how they have all another personality. Really.
I give it stars for characters, style, ideas and content. And SoGH.