Somewhere and somehow I had missed reading Eric by Terry Pratchett although I am pretty sure that I have read the rest of his Discworld books. This is one of his stories featuring Rincewind who is probably the most incompetent wizard ever. He knows only one spell which he can’t use because it would destroy the universe and he deals with all threating situations in exactly the same way – he runs away as fast as he can. Accompanying Rincewind is the Luggage, an animated trunk with a bad attitude. I have reviewed other Discworld books here, here and here although none of them feature Rincewind. Earlier books which introduce our wizard “hero” and his angry companion include The Colour of Magic and The Light Fantastic.
The title character of this book, Eric, is a teenager who engages with the supernatural to call a demon who will give him long life, wealth and power. Eric, however, is not great at this stuff and he calls forth Rincewind instead and they both spend some time in hell being introduced to the new business practices of its ruler. The author bases the whole story, very loosely, on the legend of Faust and it is obvious from the beginning that Eric and Rincewind will not get anything that they expect.
This is a short book but it’s not lacking in the usual Pratchett jokes and puns so it’s a page turner but there is plenty to think about too and lots of pointed comments about modern life seen through the filter of the Discworld.
If you haven’t already read a Discworld book I would recommend that you start with Guards, Guards or Mort but if you are already a fan then you will find this story most enjoyable and it is great to meet two of the author’s best loved characters again.
Anne Is Reading 