Losers [Mass Market Paperback]

David Eddings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 1993

Raphael Taylor was a golden boy--blond, handsome, charming, a gifted athlete and a serious student, an angel in every way. Damon Flood was a scoundrel--a smooth, smilling, cynical devil, as devious and corrupt as Raphael was open and innocent. The day Raphael met Damon was the day he began his mysterious fall from grace. And the golden boy fell very fast and very far....

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stepping out of the fantasy genre, bestselling author Eddings fashions a searing indictment of the social-welfare system in this sometimes compelling but unfortunately didactic novel about down-and-outers in the Pacific Northwest.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Raphael Taylor's life seems marked for greatness until his exposure to a world of hedonistic pleasure by college roommate Damon Flood culminates in an accident that leaves him physically and emotionally shattered. Raphael's struggle to rebuild his self-esteem in a society where government assistance programs encourage a loser mentality is the focus of Eddings's latest foray into mainstream fiction. Known for his best-selling fantasies (the "Belgarian," "Malloreon," and "Elenium" series), Eddings here attempts contemporary social commentary with problematic results. Society's outcasts are treated as archetypes, while characters' names imply symbolic connections that are never fully developed. Stripped of their fantasy trappings, the author's opinions assume a heavy-handedness that verges on the polemic. Readers drawn by Eddings's name and reputation may come away disappointed. Purchase only where demand warrants. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 1/92.
- Jackie Cassada, Asheville-Buncombe Lib. System, N.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 295 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey (August 4, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345385209
• ISBN-13: 978-0345385208
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Eddings was born in Washington State in 1931 and grew up near Seattle. He graduated from the University of Washington and went on to serve in the US Army. Subsequently, he worked as a buyer for the Boeing Aircraft Company and taught college-level English. His career as a fantasy writer, with his wife Leigh, has been spectacular.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep, July 21, 2000

By 

Robert A. Hans "wyzardd" (Arvada, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Losers (Mass Market Paperback)

Sure- I bought this only because Eddings wrote it, I never expected it to be so good however. Not fantasy- I actually expected this book to be the start of a new path for the author. Eddings style leaves you feeling that you actually know the characters and I feel I could identify the building Raphe lived in if I ever was in Spokane. Little, unimportant details are left scattered about and really bring the story to life without slowing it down. I read this one in one setting!

Occasionally depressing, but reality can be like that.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A stunning indictment on the American welfare system., November 21, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Losers (Mass Market Paperback)

I must admit I bought this book because it had the David Edding's name on it. A huge fan of his fantasy novels, I believed anything by Eddings had to be good. But, as I started the novel, I realized there was no Belgarath here! The first pass got me about a third of the way through and disappointed; I wanted another Belgariad. I put the book down with a sigh and went on with my life. About six months later I picked it up (because I had nothing else) and never put it down again. (I did the same thing with Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand twelve years ago, but that's another review). I realized this book was not a fantasy nor even a battle between good and evil - it was a view from the inside of todays welfare system! This engrossing story of a young man who looses his leg in an accident and his ensuing fight to not get sucked into the grips of social workers in Spokane, WA speaks volumes of what todays "caring" social programs and welfare does to people in need. The sub-story of good and evil - as portrayed by the main character Raphael and his best friend/destroyer Damon is interesting, but can lose the reader in the beginning. The reader can easily read too much between the lines and get frustrated by it never playing out (hence my first impression), but if you stick with it, you will stop trying to make too much out of that aspect and become swept up in the main plot. This book works on many levels and will not disappoint

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful, great writing from Eddings once again, June 27, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Losers (Mass Market Paperback)

I read this book because I like Eddings' style of writing. It's a little different than his fantasy series, but still provacative, insightful, and heartwarming.

It's not the Belgariad or Elenium, but for a change of pace, read this and think/ponder on it for a week, then you'll appreciate it.