Thomas Covanent is back!

cbarnett · 09-16-2004, 07:56 PM

For those of us that remember, Stephen R Donaldson wrote two trilogies back in the late 70's and early 80's, dealing with a leper called Thomas Covenant, thrown into a fantasy setting he was definately not prepared for.

I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with these books at the time; they were great to read, with detailed characters and plot (the main character is one of the most flawed I've ever encountered), but the writing style of Donaldson was very challenging for me at the time, and I really needed a dictionary to get through it (and English is my first language!).

Having said that, these books helped set my on the path of fantasy reading (along with LOTR), and I've never looked back.

It appears, though, that the story isn't over yet, and 20 years later, a final trilogy is being released to complete the story of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. This partial interview with Stephen Donaldson reveals a little about it, and the first book, The Runes of the Earth, will be released next month.

I'm certainly looking forward to it.

Craig.

Colin Dunstan · 09-17-2004, 11:24 AM

Ahh... another (and if I understood Donaldson correctly, the final last) Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever!

I think Donaldson's books have never received the recognition they deserve. With powerful and complex fantasy stories, unexpected plots, sub-plots, and a host of magical beings so believably rendered you'd believe you might bump into them on your way to the bookstore, they have everything a fantasy fan can dream of (and are next in league to novels by Tolkien and George RR Martin).

If you are interested in reading this wonderful Covenant series, make sure to start from the beginning. There are six previous novels, in chronical order: Lord Foul's Bane, The Illearth War, The Power That Preserves, The Wounded Land, The One Tree, and White Gold Wielder.

Alexander Turcic · 09-17-2004, 12:16 PM

Newsnet already has a small review (with spoilers!) on the new book.

cbarnett · 09-19-2004, 07:05 PM

Hopefully the ebook version won't be too far behind the hard cover release....

Craig.

Gatton · 10-05-2004, 11:44 PM

Very cool. I just re-read Lord Foul's Bane (1st book of the 1st trilogy) not long ago. I never did make it to the second trilogy so this is as good a reason as any to continue starting over. And what Craig said is absolutely true. If you've never read them Thomas Covenant is a supreme example of the anti-hero. You will hate the guy but he's an interesting character and the abrupt ending of the book makes you want to jump right into the second one.

Thanks for the heads up.

hodad66 · 05-01-2011, 08:32 AM

I'm currently rereading the series and about to begin "The Power That Preserves". I sure wish that I could find these on ebook for my Sony......

09-16-2004, 07:56 PM	#1
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Thomas Covanent is back! For those of us that remember, Stephen R Donaldson wrote two trilogies back in the late 70's and early 80's, dealing with a leper called Thomas Covenant, thrown into a fantasy setting he was definately not prepared for. I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with these books at the time; they were great to read, with detailed characters and plot (the main character is one of the most flawed I've ever encountered), but the writing style of Donaldson was very challenging for me at the time, and I really needed a dictionary to get through it (and English is my first language!). Having said that, these books helped set my on the path of fantasy reading (along with LOTR), and I've never looked back. It appears, though, that the story isn't over yet, and 20 years later, a final trilogy is being released to complete the story of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever. This partial interview with Stephen Donaldson reveals a little about it, and the first book, The Runes of the Earth, will be released next month. I'm certainly looking forward to it. Craig.

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09-17-2004, 11:24 AM	#2
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	Ahh... another (and if I understood Donaldson correctly, the final last) Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever! I think Donaldson's books have never received the recognition they deserve. With powerful and complex fantasy stories, unexpected plots, sub-plots, and a host of magical beings so believably rendered you'd believe you might bump into them on your way to the bookstore, they have everything a fantasy fan can dream of (and are next in league to novels by Tolkien and George RR Martin). If you are interested in reading this wonderful Covenant series, make sure to start from the beginning. There are six previous novels, in chronical order: Lord Foul's Bane, The Illearth War, The Power That Preserves, The Wounded Land, The One Tree, and White Gold Wielder.

09-17-2004, 12:16 PM	#3
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Newsnet already has a small review (with spoilers!) on the new book.

09-19-2004, 07:05 PM	#4
cbarnett MR prodigal son Posts: 1,085 Karma: 1083739 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura H2O	Hopefully the ebook version won't be too far behind the hard cover release.... Craig.

10-05-2004, 11:44 PM	#5
Gatton Groupie Posts: 150 Karma: 368 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2021, assorted Fire tablets.	Very cool. I just re-read Lord Foul's Bane (1st book of the 1st trilogy) not long ago. I never did make it to the second trilogy so this is as good a reason as any to continue starting over. And what Craig said is absolutely true. If you've never read them Thomas Covenant is a supreme example of the anti-hero. You will hate the guy but he's an interesting character and the abrupt ending of the book makes you want to jump right into the second one. Thanks for the heads up.

05-01-2011, 08:32 AM	#6
hodad66 Beachside Member Posts: 88 Karma: 134 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indialantic, Florida Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 3	I'm currently rereading the series and about to begin "The Power That Preserves". I sure wish that I could find these on ebook for my Sony......

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