Eric: Difference between revisions

{{work}}

 

Sometimes counted as the ninth ''[[Discworld]]'' novel, although this is where numbering gets tricky as some prefer to count ''Eric'' as a special. It's shorter than most Discworld novels, was published by a different publisher, and was originally intended to be an illustrated work. The title is officially simply ''Eric'', but on most covers it is preceded by the struck-through title ''Faust'', a reference to how the title character is a [[Twice-Told Tale|parody]] of ''[[Doctor Faustus]]''.

 

 

Meanwhile, the King of Hell, the demon Astfgl, is trying to find them, but is always one step behind. His subordinates are mutinous thanks to his attempts to instil modern business practices in Hell - prior to his rule, the damned souls had worked out that pain was purely subjective and thus all the whippings and flayings were purely for the look of the thing, but Astfgl instituted project planning, health and safety and so on and now Hell torments both the damned and its own demons.

 

{{tropelist}}

* [[Batman Gambit]]: {{spoiler|Vassenego's plan against Astfgl.}}

* [[Be Careful What You Wish For]]: Eric's wishes are (1) to rule all the kingdoms of the world, (2) to meet the most beautiful woman ever, and (3) to live forever. He and Rincewind first visit the Tezumen Empire {{spoiler|who try to sacrifice him out of revenge for their absolutely abysmal living conditions}}, then meet Helen of Tsort {{spoiler|about 20 years past her prime}}, and finally get to live forever {{spoiler|starting from the Creation of the Discworld, meaning it will be quite a few millenia before any people show up}}.

* [[The Chessmaster]]: {{spoiler|Vassenego.}} Which is appropriate, as {{spoiler|he's a parody of Vassago, generally considered the wisest demon in Hell.}}

* [[Cool and Unusual Punishment]]: Astfgl's use of boredom.

* [[Cosmic Egg]]: it turns out that life was created by Rincewind (who had gone back in time) tossing away the Egg-and-Cress sandwich given to him by The Creator.

* [[The Kid with the Remote Control]]: [[Played With]] with Eric himself, whose attempt to summon a fearsome demon that will grant him his every desire lands him with the ineffectual and very human Rincewind instead.

* [[Mayincatec]]: The Tezumen.

* [[Names to Run Away From Really Fast]]: Astfgl is just the first one.

* [[Obstructive Bureaucrat]]: and King of Hell...

* [[Real Dreams Are Weirder]]: [[Discussed]] in the narration when describing the demon guarding the gates of hell.

* [[The Starscream]]: {{spoiler|Vassenego.}}

* [[The Strategist]]: Lavaeolus, who uses his cowardice to help him develop plans with a low chance of getting him (or anyone else) killed.

* [[Too Many Halves]]: Quezovercoatl is described as "half-man, half-chicken, half-jaguar, half-serpent, half-scorpion and half-mad", making him three homicidal maniacs.

* [[Tranquil Fury]]: Astfgl provides a page quote.

* [[Under New Management]]: Hell has recently come under new management, so the traditional punishments get scrapped in favor of mind-numbing eternal boredom.

* [[We Have Reserves]]: The usual attitude of the Ephebian and Tsortean generals - Lavaeolus is considered a bit of a cheater because he actually tries to win battles without huge casualties, instead of using a...

* [[Zerg Rush]]: "The consensus seemed to be that if really large numbers of men were sent to storm the mountain, then enough might survive the rocks to take the citadel. This is essentially the basis of all military thinking."

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Discworld]]