How does one imagine comparing Paolini, the young author of "Eragon" with the likes of Lewis and Tolkien. However, it continues to happen, unfairly, I think. The members of the Inklings were powers in their right, in other fields, before they delved into the Narnia Tales and "The Lord of the Rings".Eragon is a typical "hero and his dragon" tale. However, I was taught that there are probably only five original plots and all stories are based on one of those five. Although it has all the elements of the usual tales of this type, it is well written and exciting. There is also a morale deep within this story, greater than the hero fights the bad guys and almost gets the girl and keeps his dragon in the end. The idea that the dragon cannot live if the rider is killed seems to be an analogy for the idea of freedom which would die if the believer of the idea dies. Perhaps it would be better for those who are criticizing this book to read it with more depth than they would play a video game. I'll bet they would find quite a few more hidden messages.Excellent story; good read. I am buying a copy for my grandchildren and perhaps I'll read it again before I pass it along to them.