Belgarath the Sorcerer recounts his millennia-long existence as the primary agent of the god Aldur in the cosmic struggle against the dark deity Torak. As the immortal disciple tasked with guiding the course of history, Belgarath must navigate the shifting alliances of gods and men while preserving the integrity of the Prophecy. His narrative spans thousands of years, detailing the physical and metaphysical conflicts that shaped the world long before the events of the Belgariad. The story is presented as an autobiographical account, utilizing a retrospective first-person perspective to chronicle the rise and fall of empires and the evolution of his own magical mastery.

Readers often appreciate this work for its ability to provide essential context to the broader series while maintaining a distinct, personal voice for its legendary protagonist. The narrative style is frequently noted for its conversational tone, which contrasts effectively with the grand, mythic scale of the events being described. Many fans of the genre find the exploration of the character's long life to be a satisfying expansion of the established lore. The book is generally regarded as a successful bridge that deepens the reader's understanding of the motivations behind the central conflict of the series.