Believe it or not, I get a lot of flack for owning this hatelisting. I've been accused, had words stuffed in my mouth and got called names. This is not a "Wall of Shame"--no emails or names will be given--but instead a place where I can say my piece and reply to popular accusations and pro-Eragon statements I've received via email. Hopefully this will cut down on the amount of repeated sentiments---at least provide some entertainment.
I have received an obscene number of emails like this:
You suck. Eragon is great.
You're not going to get anything out of emailing me if you send this. I will delete it without a thought. Besides, what is there to say to pathetic whining like that?
I own a website that doesn't have a positive message! Whoa, I'm reeling from how pathetic that is.
You're wasting your time on a hatelisting/a hatelisting about a book---you loser!
I've got three points to make: (1) this isn't some sort of Ku Klux Klan. I'm not trying to spread hateful chaos or anything; just exercising my right to freedom of expression. (2) book hatelistings aren't without purpose either. Being a member of one can help give others an idea of your taste in books and other things too. (3) If you don't think this site is worthy of your time, that's fine, I'm not forcing this on you. What is worthy of my time is up to me.
Ironically, these emails usually have many misspellings.
Eragon is a great adventure story! You can't read!
If you haven't guessed by now, I'll let you in on a little secret: I disagree with that. Obviously I'm inept at reading because I didn't ignore Eragon unoriginality. [This is me. Snorting.] Another email that never will get an answer.
Coming up are common lines for defending Eragon.
Paolini was only a teenager when he wrote this! Give him a break.
When I read a book, I don't check the age of the author to make sure I have the right amount of bias. I'm not impressed and I'm not cutting him slack. I'm treating his book like I would any other.
You shouldn't be reading this book, it isn't for people your age! If you were a kid, you'd love this book. If you liked fantasy, you would ... blah blah blah.
Does anyone want to tell me the lawful right age to be reading Eragon? In my case, I still consider myself a child (I'm only fourteen, folks) and I do like fantasy--but I still don't like the book. But yes, older folks can enjoy "young adult" novels too and no one can tell them what they shouldn't be reading. Say I would have liked it when I was little, so what? I don't like it now. This is just another excuse to try and blow off my opinion as unfair to the author.
LORD OF THE RINGS VS. ERAGON
"There are no similarities between LOTR and Eragon." "It's impossible to say that because LOTR is so old." "There are only a few things that are similar, don't get so upset!"
First of all, no one can tell me that there aren't any similarities. It might not have been a big deal if there had only been a few but when you can't get through a chapter without having expecting Legolas to start prancing around, well, I think that's enough to be annoyed. Secondly, just because LOTR has been around for such a long time doesn't mean that its contents are fair game for anyone! But hey, if you enjoyed Eragon regardless, good for you---just please refrain from whining to me.
Read Eldest, fool!
Once you read Eldest, you will be converted and stop this errant hatelisting nonsense.
I'm going to read Eldest (I need some ammunition against all this "read Eldest or perish hatemail") but that's not going to make Eragon any better. I DON'T OWN THE PAOLINI HATELISTING---I don't hate him. I just hate his book. And if you're wondering, I haven't as of yet considered owning the Eldest hatelisting. We'll see.
I add them as I get them!