The characters in The Belgariad (the first five books of the ten Eddings novels I’m talking about here) aren’t really very complicated. Nearly all the main characters are… well, not exactly flat, but they’re pretty close to being archetypes. He sets up an apparatus of prophecies and identities standing behind all the major characters, keeping them stuck into roles they don’t necessarily even know they’re playing. This has the effect of not only keeping the plot rolling, but it kind of excuses the fact that they slip into types from time to time. If the characters are trapped in this apparatus, can they really burst free into true human form? I don’t know really know, but I think it’s actually an interesting question.
Next up: Castle of Wizardry, by David Eddings.
