The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

[Eternalknight]

What do people think? I found theseries in my local 2nd hand book store, but before I get them I just wanted to know a general opinion.

 

[Urbanmech]

Very angsty. If you like your heroes heroic avoid these books. The world and background are well done and interesting. They make up for the self-loathing of Thomas Covenant.

Well written but very dark.

 

[Umbran]

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are beuatifully written. The series is often rightfully compared with Tolkien in terms of epic scope, but modern readers generally find the writing style more pleasing.

However, the author does his best to make sure you hate the protagonist. This is thoroughly intentional. He is not a character you shold sympathize or identify with. He's a character that's supposed to make you scream "You idiot!" as you throw the book across the room. You will, a few minutes later, go and pick up the bok and continue reading, though.

Many people find they cannot really manage the books, for this reason. They want to like the main character on some level. That's not what Donaldson wants, though. And Donaldson's good at what he does.

 

[SableWyvern]

I'm a huge Donaldson fan, so I say pick 'em up.

They are a very slow read, especially the first book-and-a-bit. But, they rock nonetheless.

The Gap Series is even better, IMO (and with a much more intense pacing). But the two series aren't really comparable, competely different style.

 

[Eternalknight]

Thanks guys. I picked them up, and am about 60 pages into Lord Foul's Bane. So far, I like what I am reading.

 

[reddist]

Just wait.

 

[S'mon]

I absolutely loved the Covenant books. Best to read them while still an angsty teenager who thinks everything is VERY IMPORTANT, though. Middle-aged sci-fi authors like Dave Langford despise Covenant.

 

[Mallus]

It's a textbook example of a love/hate relationship for me. I read all 6 in high school. And 15 years later I still can't make up my mind. I usually recommend them because there's a lot to recommend in them --particularly in the second trilogy where Donaldson seems out to utterly invert the standard fantasy novel. And if you like his world, just wait until you see what becomes of it...

But they aren't fun. I give Donaldson credit; he doesn't just create an antihero, he creates the only example I know of an epic powerlessness fantasy, starring self-pitying possibly delusional everyman who is effectively impotent yet deemed cosmically important...

Here's my usual verdict. They're very good books you probably won't enjoy. And you're not meant to enjoy them, either, at least, not in the way your supposed to with a more tradional fantasy series.

But damnit, there are so many cool parts to them...

 

[reapersaurus]

However, the author does his best to make sure you hate the protagonist. This is thoroughly intentional. He is not a character you shold sympathize or identify with. He's a character that's supposed to make you scream "You idiot!" as you throw the book across the room. You will, a few minutes later, go and pick up the bok and continue reading, though.

Or, you'll have had enough and let the book rot and pick up any one of a hundred books that has more to offer you.

 

[Mathew_Freeman]

I liked so many of the ideas in those books, but there were so many details that agravated me.

Kevin Landwaster for one. Just - why? Why Kevin? It doesn't fit with anything else in the book. These little niggly things annoyed me all the way through the books.

But the ideas behind them are excellent, nonetheless.