[HDimagination]

Thought that this may be of interest to some here:

http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/news/arc/2009/nz14000.php

While his books may not have been complex, chalengeing or any of the other things that make critics love you, David Eddings had a far larger impact on the fantasy scene than the vast majority of writers, just due to the large amount of people that came to the genre through him.

Like many others, the Belgariad was the first fantasy series that I ever read, and wouldn't hesitate to recomend it to some-one who wanted an accessable way into the genre. Those books have a simplicity and a clarity that will make them timeless, and these days were some single books in fantasy series have a higher page count than the whole of the Belgariad I think that alot of authors could do with learning a lesson or two from him.

In fact, I may go and read them again

[metagaia]

Indeed.  David Eddings was my second (after LOTR) and it was a pleasent contrast to the heavier tone of Tolkein (and many other fantasy authors).

More than any other author, to me David Eddings exemplified the meaning of the word 'fantasy'.  Yes, his ideas weren't exactly original, and his characters and plots were often predictable, but more than any other adventure, after reading the Belgariad I really wished I was a part of that world.  For weeks afterword I would have intermittant dreams of the world and adventuring with the party, something no other fantasy series has managed to do to the same extent.

May you sleep the eternal sleep soundly Mr Eddings; here at least you will be missed  

[Kamikazegerbil]

Of his the only book I've read is The Redemption of Althalus (though I have the Belgariad floating around amonst the mass I've books I've not yet read). Not my first fantasy book but before that I'd only read LotR and Discworld so yes it was someting new. Not the greatest work ever written but still a good, fun read.

Might have to go dig out the Belgariad now.