Paolini Vs. Lucas

I’m reading Inheritance by Christopher Paolini, the fourth installment of what had originally been the Inheritance trilogy but is now the Inheritance cycle.  Paolini was fifteen when he began writing Eragon, the first book in the cycle.  It was originally a self-published effort that was picked up by Alfred A. Knopf in 2003.

I’ve enjoyed the series; book one, Eragon, book two, Eldest and book three Brisingr.  My main complaint is the amount of time between Brisingr and the final book, Inheritance:  3 years.

The books have been well crafted.  There was a movie, Eragon, based on the first book and it was awful.  It was disjointed and poorly crafted.  It failed to capture the spirit of the book.  The director, Stefen Fangmeier, seemed more concerned with cinematic effects as opposed to storytelling.

I originally bought the book for my youngest son.  We had been reading the Harry Potter series and we were waiting for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.  I was cruising Barnes & Noble and I spied Eragon.  It looked like an easy read and I thought it would be a nice fill in.  It didn’t resonate with him, but it hooked me.

The cycle reminds me of Star Wars.  It’s … JRR Tolkien meets George Lucas.  The book is full of elves, dwarves and good and evil wizards.  The storyline is similar to A New Hope, Episode IV of the Star Wars saga.

I was wondering who Paolini named as influences.  I think every writer can name someone who has influenced their writing.  I was surprised to discover that he didn’t mention Lucas.  Hmm, interesting.

If you're interested in a plot summary of Eragon go to Paolini's site.

The following are details that are striking in their similarity.

The central figure in each tale is an orphaned teen on the cusp of manhood who lives with an uncle on a remote farm.  The boys come into possession of objects:  Eragon finds an egg and Luke Skywalker finds Death Star plans.  These objects are coveted by their respective evil overlord.  Possession of these items leads to the destruction of the boys' homes and the death of their uncles.  The youths flee, and their flight is assisted by wizened older men:  Brom, a weaver of tales and Obi-Wan Kenobi, a recluse, who do what they can to teach their charges the ways of an elite warrior.

Initially both stories don't give any indication that these sage men were once powerful warriors; Brom, a Dragon Rider and Obi-Wan, a Jedi Knight who were forced to live in anonymity when their respective organizations were destroyed.

Both stories had an organization that was betrayed from within and had become nothing more than a memory, the stuff of legends. 
The Dragon Riders had been an elite group of elves and humans that ensured justice is dispensed.  The Jedi Knights were a peacekeeping force.

Brom & Obi-Wan attempt to impart upon the boys the basics of their respective brotherhoods.  Brom and Obi-Wan recognize each lad has an innate ability that could allow them to become the next Dragon Rider and Jedi Knight.  Predictably, each teacher is slain before he can complete the training.

Star Wars has an older being that tries to complete Skywalker’s training after Kenobi’s death.  Likewise, Eragon’s instruction is continued by an ancient Elvin rider.  Both figures are introduced in each saga’s second installment.

It’s not my intent to be negative.  I like the series.  I think Paolini does a super job of bringing the land of Alagaësia to life.  I’m hoping he does a prequel.  We’re given a broad brushstroke regarding life prior to Eragon.  I’d like to know how the Riders rose to prominence and how Galbatorix usurped power?

These are just my random thoughts.  Anyone else care to opine?