The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)
by Stephen R. Donaldson
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Book Summary Information
Author: Stephen R. DonaldsonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Bargain Price
Published: 2005-08-30
ISBN: N/A
Number of pages: 560
Book Reviews of The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)
Book Review: You all just don't believe in fairies anymore.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have read most of the reviews regarding this book and I think the biggest problem with some readers is they've just grown-up too much. Not that it is a bad thing, it's just that twenty-some-odd years have passed since they first read the first books, and they have probably evolved in their taste in regards to reading material. Because it had been such a long time I decided that before reading this book I would read all of the previous 7 (yes 7, don't forget Gilden-fire).
I was glad I did, it helped keep this one in perspective in regards to my expectations. I first read these books back in High School when they first came out, I actually read them dozens of times back then, but with getting on with life and all it had been a good many years since my last read. So I dug them out of storage and settled in for a good long month or so of reading. However I ripped through the first 7 in about 10 or 12 days, much quicker than expected. I also noticed that they weren't quite as "difficult" or "wordy" as I remembered. I can only assume I have changed over the years since the books hadn't. In any case they were still the best Fantasy books I've ever read, including this last one.
So yes, I loved it as much as the first 7, and yes the characters are still very similar, that is why I liked it, and that is why others like it. It is sort of the whole point isn't it? If I want different characters or a different plot line I can read the autor's Gap series, or Mordant's need books. You all complain the characters and/or the plot is the same, well that's why I like it so much, I miss those characters and situations. If you want different characters and situations read some of his other books. It's sort of like watching an episode of "Hogan's Heroes" and saying well this episode is just like all of the others, same characters, same plot. No kidding? There's a shocker! That's why we watch the same TV shows each week, even though the plots are all just different spins on the same 3 or 4 situations, and we know the main character will always escape their dire predicament, and yes, the bad guy never really dies as we are lead to believe over and over. That's why the series continues, and we like it for those same reasons. We find comfort with those characters and situations and come back for more every week. This book is like seeing an old episode of Lucile Ball or the Andy Griffith show 30 years later that for some reason you had never seen before, like one of those "lost episodes" someone found in their grandfather's attic where it had been for 30 years since it first aired.
I don't know about you but I never expected to read about these characters or these places again, and I actually found quite pleasing to read about the familiar people and places of The Land once again. Yes Lord Foul is a rather stereo-typical villain, and at times Lindon can be annoying, but I know I thought of Covenant was annoying when I first started reading Lord Foul's Bane as well.
All in all I was excited to read another story about the wonderful people of The Land and their valiant, if not futile, battle against the evil Lord Foul, and that is just what I got.
Summary of The Runes of the Earth (The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)
In 1977, with the publication of THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER, Stephen Donaldson created a true phenomenon: an epic fantasy instant bestseller that has now sold millions and millions of copies across the world. Thomas Covenant is mysteriously struck down by a disease believed eradicated; abandoned by his wife and young son, he becomes a pariah. Alone, despairing, Covenant falls - and is drawn into a mysterious new world where gentle people work magic and the earth itself brings healing. He is welcomed as the reincarnation of a legendary saviour, but Covenant is convinced he's having delusions. At the end of the sixth book, as Covenant battles to save the world, he is killed - in both worlds - as Dr Linden Avery, his horrified companion, looks on. Now comes the book every fantasy reader has been waiting for. It's ten years later and Linden Avery thought she would never see the Land, or Covenant, her beloved, again. But Lord Foul has stolen her adopted son, and is unmaking the very laws of nature. And though she believes Covenant dead, he keeps sending Linden messages: 'Find me', 'You're the only one who can do this' and 'Remember that I'm dead'. The Land is in turmoil, and Lord Foul has plans for them all ...Amazon.com Exclusive Content
Worth the Wait
More than two decades after he completed the Second Chronicles, Stephen R. Donaldson has begun a third series about the leprous Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. In this Amazon.com exclusive essay, Donaldson explains why The Runes of the Earth has been so long in the making.
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