Order of Reading issue

[smoket22]

Hi guys n galz.

I, like you all, am a big fan of David Eddings work.
I read some of his stuff when I was much younger and I really
want to read them all again from start to finish.
Which brings me to an age old question regarding his books.

Belgarath The Sorcerer..... This is the prequel to the Balgariad series but SHOULD it or should it NOT be read before the series?

I'm really keen to read it before but I've seen a lot of mixed opinion regarding the order they should be read in.

Some feel that reading Belgarath the Sorcerer has various spoilers for us who haven't read the Balgariad, and therefore should read the series first.

Again, I love the idea I can read Belgarath's background story before reading about his adventures later, but I'm worried from what I've heard that I'll spoil the following books.

Can someone put me straight here, lol, I'm a wreck.
I really want to enjoy the entire series and I really want to START with the prequels (Bel and Pol) but i'm worried that I'll spoil the books to come.

Can someone help?

I wanna buy these books before the weekend, so if someone could help quick that would be awesome!!

THANKS!

Tom

 

[The Ace]

Both, 'Belgarath,' and, 'Polgara,' are told in flashback, making Garion's self-discovery rather moot.

IMO, they should be read after the Belgariad/Malloreon to give a more complete picture, although they're certainly worth reading.

 

[devilsgrin]

you should totally read Belgarath and Polgara AFTER completing the 10 Belgarian/Malloreon books. There are too many references throughout them to the adventures of Garion and co. for it not to spoil the series for you.

 

[dekket]

Belgarath should be read after the conclusion of the Mallorean, as the beginning of the book is set just after the birth of Polgara's twins (which occurs at the end of the Seeress of Kell). Polgara is a sequel to Belgarath, which finishes of the story that Ce'Nedra believes Belgarath left incomplete.

 

[X'Nedra]

I read Belgarath first, and that is what lead me to read the 2 series.
I don't have that flash a memory, so not a lot of the surprises were spoilt for me - although he does mention characters from Belgariad/Mallorean which didn't make sense to me.

After I'd read the series' I then went back and re-read Belgarath and I loved it even more!

Polgara was OK, but she irritates me, so I waited till after I was finished re-reading Belgarath to read that.

 

[revengine]

I read Belgarath first, and that is what lead me to read the 2 series.
I don't have that flash a memory, so not a lot of the surprises were spoilt for me - although he does mention characters from Belgariad/Mallorean which didn't make sense to me.

After I'd read the series' I then went back and re-read Belgarath and I loved it even more!

Polgara was OK, but she irritates me, so I waited till after I was finished re-reading Belgarath to read that.

I am SO glad that I'm not the only one who finds Polgara irritating. I'm just finishing up Polgara the Sorceress and it really detracts from enjoying the book her high opinion of herself and how she degrades her father Belgarath every single time she mentions him. The funny thing is I rather like Polgara when reading the other books, but in her own book I've found myself rolling my eyes at some parts because of her unbearable attitude.

Back on topic, I would most definitely recommend reading The Belgariad series first, The Mallorean second, Belgarath third and then Polgara last.

 

[ghost8772]

Back on topic, I would most definitely recommend reading The Belgariad series first, The Mallorean second, Belgarath third and then Polgara last.

if ever. Got the feeling the Eddings' decided to write a book apiece with their alter-ego character. David did Belgarath, Leigh did Polgara.

I will give them this, collaboratively, they work great, a large range of characters, with all sorts of gender quirks thrown about, more accurate than imagined. but she definitely takes herself too seriously, especially as Polgara.

yes, Belgarath (okay and Polgara) I'd also say read after Belgariad and Mallorean, since the story before they reminisce occurs after the closing of those two adventures.

 

[Silvio dante]

I bought Belgarath first being a newbie to David Edding's work. Luckily however, after reading the first few pages of it I kind of had a suspicion that it may not be wise to read it before the Belgariad.

How right I was! In saying that I've just completed the Malloreon now and am re-starting Belgarath again this very morning.

I really didn't like saying 'goodbye' to my book friends and at least have the pleasure of going into Belgarath's life now and Polgara's after that.

As an aside I love Belgarath's reluctance to write his story and Garion getting Polgara, Ce'Nedra and poledra to press gang Belgarath to start it. Very funny...

 

[ghost8772]

I bought Belgarath first being a newbie to David Edding's work. Luckily however, after reading the first few pages of it I kind of had a suspicion that it may not be wise to read it before the Belgariad.

How right I was! In saying that I've just completed the Malloreon now and am re-starting Belgarath again this very morning.

I really didn't like saying 'goodbye' to my book friends and at least have the pleasure of going into Belgarath's life now and Polgara's after that.

As an aside I love Belgarath's reluctance to write his story and Garion getting Polgara, Ce'Nedra and poledra to press gang Belgarath to start it. Very funny...

ummmm, I thought Ce'Nedra actually snowballed the press gang. Garion did have some thoughts with the discussion, but didn't have a read part I thought once Ce-Nedra heard about it and flew off on her MUST BE DONE mindset.

 

[Silvio dante]

ummmm, I thought Ce'Nedra actually snowballed the press gang. Garion did have some thoughts with the discussion, but didn't have a read part I thought once Ce-Nedra heard about it and flew off on her MUST BE DONE mindset.

I think Belgarath blames Garion for mentioning it to the women as he knew they'd be able to get Belgarath to write it far easier than Garion or Durnik...

 

[ghost8772]

I think Belgarath blames Garion for mentioning it to the women as he knew they'd be able to get Belgarath to write it far easier than Garion or Durnik...

well yeah he does blame Garion for that, but at the same time, Garion seldom keeps his big mouth shut around his queen.

 

[Silvio dante]

well yeah he does blame Garion for that, but at the same time, Garion seldom keeps his big mouth shut around his queen.

Well she is the boss afterall...

 

[The Ace]

To be fair, Polgara's attitude to Belgarath isn't that hostile deep down.

It's mentioned in the early stages of the Malloreon that they love each other deeply, her sniping and his wincing have just gone on for so long that they've become a habit.

As one who kept peace in Arendia for centuries, built Sendaria and then spent the balance of her life making sure that Garion arrived safely,let alone grew up, then giving Eriond the start in life he needed, she has a right to be big-headed on occasion.

Her contribution to events is at least as great as Belgarath's, and if she'd failed, Torak would be god over the entire world.

 

[devilsgrin]

To be fair, Polgara's attitude to Belgarath isn't that hostile deep down.

It's mentioned in the early stages of the Malloreon that they love each other deeply, her sniping and his wincing have just gone on for so long that they've become a habit.

As one who kept peace in Arendia for centuries, built Sendaria and then spent the balance of her life making sure that Garion arrived safely,let alone grew up, then giving Eriond the start in life he needed, she has a right to be big-headed on occasion.

Her contribution to events is at least as great as Belgarath's, and if she'd failed, Torak would be god over the entire world.

this is exactly my feeling about Polgara. After everything she's done, she has a right to be a bit aloof.
More importantly, PtS gave me even more of an appreciation for her argument with Garion in Nyissa. The amount of pain she's had to deal with, wow, to be even remotely normal after that is kudos to her mental fortitude.

Theres a reason Ce'Nedra's chart the "Rankings of the various Queens of the West" makes special mention of Polgara being above and beyond all the mortal queens. She shaped the west according to her morals, and at least in Sendaria and also in large part Riva, it holds true.

 

[Thaisa]

Honestly, I would avoid reading Belgarath and Polgaras books until after you read the rest of the series, and then wait awhile. Belgarath was a decent read, but the problem is it contradicts alot of what is said in the earlier books- if you give it some time it might not bother you so much. I didn't really care for Polgara's book at all.