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Chronicles of Thomas Covenant Discussion

"The first chronicles remains among the top three stories I have read. I do not think Donaldson ever quite achieved the height he reached with these. Thomas Covenant is not just the first, but also the best anti-hero (perhaps Unhero would be more fitting) I have ever encountered. That said, I was rather disappointed in the second chronicles. It is not as fresh or original. It also does not seem entirely consistant with the first chronicles. Perhaps that is why I do not like it very much. It contradicts the world of depth and imagination I hold in my mind when I think of the Land and its people." - Charles Bertrand 8/14/98

I know what you mean here but still really did like the second chronicles. What it lost in depth, I think it mostly made up for in mind-stretchingly interesting characters. It's hard to imagine topping ones like Saltheart Foamfollow or Banor or the Blood Guard though. - Steve 8/15/98

"this book was so hard for me to put down that I found myself reading it on the freeway while commuting to work at 70 mph. Now that's scary." - Lee Meador 7/14/98

Maybe it's a good thing there aren't that many books this good - would government shut down? - Steve

"Neuromancer and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are at the top of my list of 10 most overrated works of Science Fiction. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant struck me as a kind of chrome plated, shallow American pastiche of a fantasy world created for the money as opposed to any real artistic drive. Totally contrived stereotype fantasy characters and situations. A premise that might have made one enjoyable book purposely stretched out over upteen thousand pages. BORING! This book is the Spice Girls of Fantasy novels. By the way have you tried to read anything else written by Donaldson? I rest my case." - Bob 1/19/98

Actually, I've read every one of Donaldson's books and for the most part really liked them all. I bought most of the Chronicles series as soon as they were released. They started over 20 years ago though - maybe I wouldn't like them as much now. At the time, I couldn't stop reading - I remember my wife getting mad at me once on a vacation to the beach because I was into one of those books and ignoring her relatives. - Steve 1/21/98

"To describe the Covenant trilogies as 'shallow' must, I feel, say rather more about the critic than the novels. I read them first when I was about 15 and they left an indelible impression on me. Six years down the line and they remain a source of inspiration - and they're a pretty good read too ! It astounds me that people can't connect with Covenants struggles or with so many of the interpersonal dynamics. I ask ya, how can someone not weep when faced with so hale a spirit as that of Saltheart Foamfollowers, or be stunned when realizing the cost of the Bloodguards pledge ? I'm biased, but (and this will seem pretentious), in their own way, their some of the deepest books around. I wish more could partake of the experience." - Brian McCorry 5/27/98

Interesting how people seem to either love or hate these books. Must be a sign that something deeper than the shallow, entertainment-oriented, "fantasy-romance" quality is going on. These books strike a deep emotional chord, either positive or negative. Steve 5/31/98

"I found the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant to be completely enthralling. I read them back to back with a fellow Sci-fi lover and had her snapping at my heels to finish the next book quickly. More than just a good read, I "lived" it." ­ Trish Milan 5/5/98

I felt the same way. People I've talked to who didn't like it had trouble mainly because of the rape near the beginning. That's a hard issue - how do you feel about how Donaldson handled it? - Steve 5/11/98

"Yes I can see how the rape at the beginning of the story may put some people off. However I felt that as a cornerstone event, fundamental to the entire structure of the saga and to the construction of Covenant's character it was brilliant.

I liked the way Donaldson handled it providing no "real" resolution tangible enough for the reader to feel good about. As it is a difficult issue I would have been disappointed had Covenant been able to deal with it more effectively yet at the same time, as I was reading it I wished he would just get over it! I think he captured the tragedy of rape and its long lasting effects really well." - Trish

Thanks for the well-considered thoughts. I agree with you. Keeping things in an unresolved psychological state of flux kept things more like real life and made the story believable although in a completely strange environment. Good point about rape. Everyone realizes the tragedy of the victim, interesting to see how it creates a tragedy for the perpetrator as well. - Steve 6/9/98

"Frankly, i really disagree with the poster that called "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" shallow. I just cannot see that at all. This series, especially the first one, deals with many complex religio-psychological themes: power and responsibility, the interconnectedness of guilt and heroism, the difficulty/necessity of redemption in the face of one's crimes, the pain of ostracism. There aren't too many people lukewarm about Covenant; you either love it or hate it. But shallow, this series is not." - Corey 2/26/98

"A good read but I've just finished Donaldsons "Gap" series and that leaves his previous works in the dust. Full speed action with no breather until the last pages of book 5." - John 12/15/97

I liked the Gap books a lot too. Interesting how a rape and a person born from it were central themes in both series. Not in the general run of common topics - I like how he pushes the envelope. - Steve 12/16/97

"Here is classical fantasy with just enough of the modern to give it an added dimension. The background is carefully built, the writing has a sweep of grandeur, the imaginative factors display a depth that is seldom seen." ­ Clifford D. Simak (from book jacket)

"I don't think books like this come along more than a few times in a lifetime. I thought I was too old to be struck with wonder again. What can I compare it too? . . .No, it doesn't happen often. With all my heart I'm delighted, excited, I feel the old thrill of gosh-wow again." ­ Marion Bradley (from book jacket)

"An intricately crafted fantasy that presents a most unusual and memorable anti-hero in Thomas Covenant. But it is the spellbinding tapestry of the Land through which he journeys that will linger on in the reader's imagination long after the last page is turned. It will be turned all too quickly." ­ Terry Brooks (from book jacket)

Please email comments to troy@jade-mtn.com.

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