 First edition | |
| Author | Terry Pratchett |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Josh Kirby |
| Language | English |
| Series |
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| Subject |
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| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Victor Gollancz / Corgi |
Publication date | 1990 |
| ISBN | 0-575-04636-8ISBN 0-575-05191-4 (non-illustrated) |
| Preceded by | Guards! Guards! |
| Followed by | Moving Pictures |
Eric, stylized asFaust Eric, is the ninthDiscworld novel byTerry Pratchett. It was originally published in 1990[1] as a "Discworld story", in a larger format than the other novels and illustrated byJosh Kirby. It was later reissued as a normal paperback without any illustrations, and in some cases, with the title given on the cover and title pages simply asEric. (The page headers, however, continued to alternate betweenFaust andEric.)
The story is aparody of the tale ofFaust, and follows the events ofSourcery in which theWizardRincewind was trapped in the Dungeon Dimensions. Rincewind is summoned by the thirteen-year-olddemonologist, Eric Thursley, who wanted a demon to grant his heart's desires. He is disappointed when Rincewind tells him he is unable to grant wishes. Rincewind is disheartened to learn that the spells to confinedemons work on him; Eric'sparrot tells him that because he was summoned as a demon, he is subject to the same terms. The arrival of Rincewind'sLuggage causes Eric to suspect deceit on Rincewind's part. Eric's demands are renewed and Rincewind finds that snapping his fingers allows him to grant the following wishes.
They discover hell steeped in bureaucracy, the Demon King Astfgl having decided that boredom might be the ultimate form of torture. Rincewind uses hisuniversity experience to confuse the demons, so he and Eric can escape. While crossing through the recently reformed levels of hell (satirical forms ofDante'sInferno) they encounter da Quirm and the parrot, as well as Lavaeolus, who tells them where the exit is.
The source of Rincewind's demonic powers is revealed to be Lord Vassenego, a Demon Lord leading a secret revolt against Astfgl. Using Rincewind to keep Astfgl occupied while gathering support amongst the demons, Vassenego confronts his king just as Astfgl finally catches up to Rincewind and Eric. Vassenego announces the council of demons has made Astfgl "Supreme Life President of Hell", and that he is to plan out the course of action for demons. With Astfgl lost in the bureaucratic prison of his own making, Vassenego takes over as king and lets Rincewind and Eric escape, so that stories about hell can be told. As they leave, Rincewind and Eric notice that the path they are fleeing along has good intentions written on each cobble.
Starburst has called it "a series of hilarious pokes at the cliché that is hell".[2]Gardner Dozois, conversely, considered it "downright bad, the only Discworld book [he] actively disliked and found a chore to read". In 2011 The novel was included in the "Gollancz 50" series. The series marked the publisher's 50th anniversary by re-issuing seminal works of science fiction.[3]
| Reading order guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | 9thDiscworld Novel | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | 4thRincewind Story Published in 1990 | Succeeded by |
