Summary
Eric is a humorous fantasy novella that parodies the classic tale of Faust. The story follows Eric Thursley, a teenage demonologist who attempts to summon a demon but instead conjures Rincewind, the incompetent wizard from previous Discworld novels. Eric demands three wishes: to rule the world, meet the most beautiful woman who ever lived, and live forever. Rincewind, bewildered and unable to perform magic, finds himself compelled to fulfil these wishes.
Their journey takes them across time and space, starting in the Tezumen Empire, a parody of the Aztec civilisation. Here, Eric is declared Ruler of the World, but quickly discovers the burdens and dangers that come with such a title. They encounter Ponce da Quirm, a explorer parodying Juan Ponce de León, who warns them of the Tezumen’s sinister plans.
Next, they travel to ancient Tsort, the Discworld’s equivalent of Troy. Eric meets Elenor, supposedly the most beautiful woman in history, but finds her far from his romantic expectations. The encounter humorously subverts the idea of legendary beauty, showing its chaotic and often disappointing reality.
Their final destination is Hell, reimagined as a bureaucratic nightmare under the new management of Astfgl, the King of Demons. Hell has been transformed into a place of endless paperwork and mind-numbing boredom, a far cry from the traditional fire and brimstone. Rincewind’s practical knowledge of bureaucracy proves unexpectedly useful in navigating this new underworld.
Throughout their misadventures, Eric undergoes a transformation. His initial arrogance and naivety give way to a more grounded perspective as he realises the hollowness of his grand wishes. Rincewind, despite his usual cowardice and incompetence, displays moments of resourcefulness and even wisdom, particularly in Hell.
The story is peppered with Pratchett’s characteristic wit, wordplay, and satirical observations on human nature, mythology, and societal structures. It cleverly subverts fantasy tropes and expectations, turning Eric’s grand wishes into comical mishaps and learning experiences.
The novella concludes with Rincewind and Eric escaping Hell, having learned valuable lessons about the nature of power, beauty, and immortality. Astfgl is cleverly promoted to a position that effectively neutralises his disruptive management style, restoring a semblance of traditional order to Hell.
Key themes:
- The dangers of unchecked ambition and naïve wishes
- The absurdity of bureaucracy and power structures
- Subversion of classical mythology and fantasy tropes
- Coming-of-age and the loss of naivety
- The nature of true heroism and wisdom
Character Details
Eric Thursley
Eric is a 13-year-old aspiring demonologist and the titular character of the novella. He’s portrayed as a naive, ambitious teenager with an inflated sense of his own abilities. Eric’s character embodies youthful hubris and the desire for shortcuts to success and power. His three wishes – to rule the world, meet the most beautiful woman, and live forever – reflect typical adolescent fantasies.
Throughout the story, Eric undergoes significant character development. He starts as an arrogant and impetuous boy, convinced of his mastery over demonic forces. However, as his wishes are granted in unexpected and often unpleasant ways, he begins to realise the folly of his desires. His experiences teach him valuable lessons about the responsibilities of power, the superficiality of beauty, and the potential tedium of immortality.
Eric’s journey serves as a coming-of-age tale, where he learns to appreciate the complexities of the world and the hollowness of his initial ambitions. By the end of the novella, he has gained a more nuanced and mature perspective on life, demonstrating growth and self-awareness.
Rincewind
Rincewind is the reluctant protagonist, a recurring character in the Discworld series known for his cowardice and incompetence as a wizard. In “Eric”, he is mistakenly summoned by Eric instead of a demon and finds himself forced to act as a wish-granter. Rincewind’s character is defined by his strong survival instinct, his talent for running away from danger, and his perpetual bad luck.
Despite his usual ineptitude, Rincewind displays moments of cleverness and resourcefulness throughout the story, particularly when navigating the bureaucratic nightmare of Hell. His practical knowledge and experience with the absurdities of life often serve as a counterpoint to Eric’s naive ambitions.
Rincewind’s cynical outlook and dry wit provide much of the story’s humour. His reluctant mentorship of Eric, filled with sarcasm and blunt truths, plays a crucial role in the boy’s character development. Throughout their misadventures, Rincewind’s pragmatism and world-weariness serve as a foil to Eric’s youthful enthusiasm, creating a dynamic and often comical partnership.
Astfgl
Astfgl is the newly appointed King of Demons and ruler of Hell. He represents the modern, efficiency-driven manager trying to reform a traditional institution. Astfgl attempts to modernise Hell by introducing bureaucratic systems and psychological torments, moving away from the traditional fire and brimstone approach.
His character parodies corporate management styles and the often counterproductive nature of bureaucratic ‘improvements’. Astfgl’s reforms, while intended to increase Hell’s efficiency in tormenting souls, actually result in chaos and decreased effectiveness. His inability to pronounce his own name adds to the comic portrayal of his inept leadership.
Astfgl’s conflict with the ‘old guard’ of demons and his frustration with the gods’ indifference to his power highlight themes of institutional resistance to change and the absurdity of hierarchical power structures. His eventual ‘promotion’ to a position that effectively sidelines him serves as a satirical commentary on how organisations often deal with problematic leaders.
Reader Fit
“Eric” would appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Humorous fantasy with satirical elements
- Parodies of classical literature and mythology
- Coming-of-age stories with a twist
- Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and similar works
- Light-hearted explorations of philosophical themes
- Clever wordplay and British humour
The novella’s shorter length makes it an accessible entry point for those new to Pratchett’s work, while its connections to the broader Discworld series will satisfy long-time fans.
Quick Facts
- Genre: Comic Fantasy
- Publication Year: 1990
- Reading Time Estimate: 3-4 hours
- Notable Awards: None specific to this novella, but Terry Pratchett received numerous awards for his Discworld series
Related Books
- “Faust” by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – The classic tale that “Eric” parodies
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – Another humorous take on religious themes
- “The Colour of Magic” by Terry Pratchett – The first Discworld novel, also featuring Rincewind
