Christopher Paolini
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Christopher Paolini | |
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| Born | November 17, 1983 Southern California, United States |
| Occupation | Novelist |
| Genres | Young adult literature High Fantasy |
| Notable work(s) | The Inheritance Cycle |
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Influences
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Christopher Paolini (born November 17, 1983 in Southern California) is an American writer. He is best known as the author of the Inheritance cycle, which consists of the books Eragon, Eldest, the upcoming Brisingr, and the fourth book. He lives in Paradise Valley, Montana, where he wrote his first book.
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[edit] Biography
Paolini was raised in the Paradise Valley, Montana area. His family members include his parents, Kenneth Paolini and Talita Hodgkinson, and his sister, Angela Paolini.[1] Home schooled for the duration of his education, Paolini graduated from high school at the age of 15 through a set of accredited correspondence courses from American School in Chicago, Illinois. Following graduation, he started his work on what would become the novel Eragon and its sequel Eldest, both set in the kingdom of Alagaësia.
In 2002, Eragon was published by Paolini International LLC, Paolini's parents' company. To promote the book, Paolini toured over 135 schools and libraries, discussing reading and writing, all the while dressed in "a medieval costume of red shirt, billowy black pants, lace-up boots, and a jaunty black cap."[1] Paolini created the cover art for the first edition of Eragon, which featured Saphira's eye. He also drew the maps on the inside covers of his books.[2]
In Summer 2002, the stepson of author Carl Hiaasen found Eragon in a bookstore and loved it, and Hiaasen brought it to the attention of his publisher, Alfred Knopf.[3][4] Knopf subsequently made an offer to publish Eragon and the rest of the Inheritance cycle. The second edition of Eragon was published by Knopf in August 2003. At the age of nineteen, Paolini became a New York Times bestselling author.[5] Eragon has since been adapted into a film of the same name.
Paolini's essay "It All Began with Books" was included in the April 2005 anthology Guys Write for Guys Read.
Eldest, the sequel to Eragon, was released August 23, 2005. The third book in the cycle, Brisingr, is scheduled to be released on September 20, 2008.[6] The series will be expanded to include a fourth book.[7]
[edit] Influences
Paolini's literary inspirations include the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, E. R. Eddison and the epic poem Beowulf.[3] Paolini said that Eragon was "specifically inspired" by the work of Bruce Coville. Other literary influences include David Eddings, Andre Norton, Brian Jacques, Anne McCaffrey, Raymond E. Feist, Mervyn Peake, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Frank Herbert.[8] Other favorite authors include Jane Yolen,[1] Philip Pullman,[8] and Garth Nix.[3]
Nature influences much of Paolini's writing. In a three-way interview with Philip Pullman and Tamora Pierce, Paolini stated that Paradise Valley, Montana is "one of the main sources" of his inspiration.[9]
In the book Eldest, Paolini described his elves as atheist and vegetarians. When asked about his own diet, Paolini answered, "No, I am not vegetarian, although I lean in that direction."[10]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Paolini, C., Eragon, Paolini International LLC, 2002.
- ^ a b c Spring, Kit. "Elf and efficiency (Interview)", Guardian Unlimited, January 25, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.
- ^ David Welch (September 29, 2005). A Kinder, Gentler Carl Hiaasen, Still Pissing People Off Powells.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
- ^ Liz Rosenberg (November 16, 2003). 'Eragon': The Egg and Him. NYTimes.com. Accessed 2007-10-30.
- ^ Press release (January 16, 2008). Random House Accessed 2008-01-16.
- ^ Press release (October 30, 2007). Random House Accessed 2007-10-30.
- ^ a b Talita Paolini Christopher Paolini Q&A Shurtugal.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
- ^ Dave Welch (October 2003). News: Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, and Christopher Paolini Talk Fantasy Fiction Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
- ^ Christopher Paolini. Talking Trilogy Alagaesia.com. Accessed 2008-01-20.
[edit] External links
- Official website, which includes autobiographical comments from Paolini
- Eragon summary, from Random House
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