Post: Reply | Quote

i was reading in one of the other threads...

you were all talking about Thomas Covenant, this sounds really familar but i cant place it????

someone care to give me some info, are there more then one book? and if so what did you personally think of themhrug">

thanks all, for your time

Post: Reply | Quote

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant were first published in the late seventies and early eighties written by Stephen R Donaldson. This series is extremely popular but it always had a strong love/hate stigma attached to it.

Some people such as I think it's a exceptionally compelling read while others just plain hate it mainly for the main protagonist, Thomas Covenant. He is not a conventional hero per se but a rather more complex character than that. Which, IMHO, makes him all the more real. There is alot of grey in this dark fantasy series like GRRM's. Also this author has no qualms about killing off characters much like GRRM.

But SRD can definitely be a wordy author concerning character introspection to the point he pounds it into your head for pages long. But the payoff of these books is absolutely extraordinary. I love 'em. This series is very multilayered and complex but I recommend buying the first book only or checking them out at the library to see if he is to your liking.

First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
1. Lord Foul's Bane
2. The Illearth War
3. The Power that Preserves

Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
1. The Wounded Land
2. The One Tree
3. White Gold Wielder

Edited by: Druiin at: 1/18/03 7:40:25 pm

Post: Reply | Quote

wow thanks Druiin

i remember getting Lord fouls bane out of the library to read, i was only about 14 and still at school, i remember thinking that it was hard to get into, so i never finished it (think in only read about 50 pgs)....

it was one of my first fantasy books that i got from the library.... maybe now that i am older i can tackle them again..

i think i will get it out of the library in town and give it a go"> i dont know if i will like it again,cause i heard others say that he complains and whines....dont know if i want a whiney herohrug"> but i will have a go at anything...

thanks for all the info.....

what do others think about these books...??

Post: Reply | Quote

okay another to add to my list

*starts to look worried*

Post: Reply | Quote

I refuse to discuss this miserable excuse for a human being (Thomas Covenant...not Soldier) on two threads at once.

Adios

Post: Reply | Quote

my apologise DH

thankyou for you view by the way, i can guess you dont like it... i think its best if i get this book out of the library first

Post: Reply | Quote

Thomas Covenant is a very pessimistic character who reminds me of Job (from the bible). But hey he does go through some difficult times. He is not the normal hero and for me this makes him wonderful.

You really get into him and want to smack him and the frustration becomes real.

These books by Donaldson are brilliant in my opinion and Lord Foul's Bane is a must read.

Jess et al. You just have to read it, love it or hate it, but i promise it will have an effect on you.

Post: Reply | Quote

I hate it when people go all odd on me...just because I bark and snarl and try to bite them. (It takes all the fun out of being a grumpy old man. hrug"> )

Jess, I promise not to growl in your general direction again. Don't ever take anything I say seriously...believe me, no-one else does.

Cool?

Adios

Post: Reply | Quote

Well, I fall into the love category. Tremendous series. This guy really struggles to be a hero and yet you're with him all the way - I guess we should all imagine what it's like to learn you are a modern day leper and then we may understand why he can be such a sod. I think he's very real. Read all the books, it's a complex and I agree with Druiin - compelling journey.

I seem to remember enjoying Mirror Rides Through It too although is that the one with the space man who suddenly arrives in the middle of the Great Hall???? That was horrid whichever book it happened in.

J...you may like to track down and read Lyonesse series (don't get Soldier started!) - I think you may love it!

Post: Reply | Quote

DH bark and snarl as much as you like, i did ask you for you opinion and i got it........besides it takes a lot to offend me and i wouldnt hesitate on telling you if you ever did...

Woof Woof Grrrr Grrrr

and Fi...

it sounds like it is well worth the gander....i will definatly get the first book and struggle with it....if its good i will rave about it, if its bad i will tell you what i broke when i threw it away...

and the Lyonesse series, that sounds very familiar...why will soldier rave about themhrug"> oh well Soldier if you read this please somebody tell me about this series....

Post: Reply | Quote

Jess, I'm guessing Fiona is referring to Jack Vance's 3 Lyonesse books :-
Suldrun's Garden
The Green Pearl
Madouc
Like Fiona, I'll let Soldier do his thing regarding Lyonesse. (I'm a big fan of Vance...but it's been a whille since I read this series.)

Adios

Post: Reply | Quote

Someone here mentioned Jack Vance and it wasn't me. Whoo hoo! Life is so good.

I stole the below from Amazon, I think it says enough about the books:

A monument of fantastic literature to stand beside such classics as DUNE and THE LORD OF THE RINGS, LYONESSE evokes the Elder Isles, a baroque land of pre-Arthurian myth now lost beneath the Atlantic, where powerful sorcerers, aloof faeries, stalwart champions, and nobles eccentric, magnanimous, and cruel pursue intrigue among their separate worlds. In this first book of the trilogy, LYONESSE: SULDRUN'S GARDEN, Prince Aillas of Troicinet is betrayed on his first diplomatic voyage and cast into the sea. Before he redeems his birthright, he must pass the breadth of Hybras Isle as prisoner, vagabond, and slave, an acquaintance of faeries, wizards, and errant knights, and lover to a sad and beautiful girl whose fate sets his bitter rivalry with the tyrant Casmir, King of Lyonesse.

For me, Jack is way up there... he is one of the best writers and his stories are superb.

Post: Reply | Quote

okay that sounds pretty darn cool.......

okay what the hell, i will write that down also and as soon as i have got some of my orders in...then i will get it...

i am sooooo easily talked into reading a book....lol im such a sucker for a good read...lol