my main character is bonded with a giant wolf, and i really don't want to use the Eragon method (as i call it) when the author makes the animal speak like human. instead im using the animals body language to show how he's feeling etc. ive seen the Eragon method used in a few books (eg wolf brother) and i was wondering if people prefer this method?
Have you ever read the series by Robert Jordan? The Wheel of Time. There is a character in the book that is bound to wolf kind. The wolf character (actually there is more than one) communicates with the human by sending images; hints of scents -- that convey emotion. The character will translate those meanings -- or what he thinks they mean -- to the reader. It works. The author also gets across the wolf in a non-human way: uncaring of human ways. Although, much of the interaction between the two is conducted in a kind of dreamland. I don't think that is too important though. Perhaps that'll give you some other ideas.
I seem to remember that Andre Norton wrote a number of novels with animal. part animal, and animal-empathic characters. However, I can't name specific ones. But I'm sure she did a better job of it than Paolini. You might also look into Anne McCaffrey's novels. The dragons in her Pern series did have distinct personalities.
