this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
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I've started reading Jumper by NameDoesNotMatter. I would like to formally apologise about all the harsh things I've ever spoken about that film.

Fine, the cast is unlikeable and the action scenes are just fisticuffs in the air, but my god, in comparison to the teenage dreck that is the book, it's a masterpiece. At least they tried to build a credible back story for the main character.

In the book, he literally thinks everyone is out to sexually assault him (and somehow they seem to), he solves his problems by throwing money at it, instead of any actual creativity, and the author desperately tries to portray him as a mature-for-his-age adult, despite the fact that his first reaction to anything is crying followed by petty revenge.

I'm just flicking through the pages, pausing at any plot bits, and then flicking on.

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I'm a bit sick of its narratives around sexuality and state, apart from that I really liked the books, but HATED the movie.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Been a long time since I read them. What were the narratives around sexuakity and state?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Roran and Katrina have this weird martial 'A man needs to protecc' and tradwife dynamic.

Eragon is somewhat a minor while try-harding to flirt with Arya who is superhuman even to Eragon as a Rider. It is not out of character, but it really confused me when I read it as a teen.

Nasuada is a glorified dictator. Islanzadi, Hrothgar, Orik and Arya are glorified superhuman dictators. Human civilians have no agency and the great magic system even further cements that (Dwarfs have gods, Elves have the forest and their magic, while human magic doesn't seem to aggregate to create a check on rulers).

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I just re-read them last year. What narrative are you talking about? Is it to do with Eragon not understanding that he’s a teenager and he shouldn’t hit on the elf princess who is literally 80 years older than him?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Arya is not a viable partner for him for at least another five to ten years, IMHO actually for like 20-30 years. Eragon is still a displaced peasant with power not seen for millenia and Arya is a monarch of a superhumanity, who was stuffed with knowledge and experience since birth while having a very different mind. Eragon might not even fully understand yet how relationships work and how truly different elves are.

Roran's martial masculinity and Katrina's clicheed submission, Sloan's power trip etc.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

I think the whole point was that Eragon wasn't right for Arya, I thought that was quite refreshing and a pretty important message for adolescents. It's a pretty big deal, imo that they don't end up together at the end, and eragon has to get over it. I think thats an original part of an overall cliche but enjoyable book. I do agree with roram and Katrina's plot though.