[tr0dd]

Hey all. Many times have Stephen Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series been heralded as great fantasy and awesome books. As a result, I picked up the first Chronicles and started reading Lord Foul's Bane about a month ago. To my surprise I found the book incredibly boring, and didn't even finish it (I decided to start A Game of Thrones instead).

I guess I'm pretty startled that after so many rave reviews by you guys (and others) I would have expected to gobble up the T. Covenant First Chronicles in the span of two weeks. I though Lord Foul's Bane started off great with the whole crossover scenerio, and I like the anti-hero-ness of Covenant, but the book just got damn boring (to me). As another stark contrast, I found T. Goodkind's books to be major page-turners (aside from Soul of the Fire), and many here at the forum don't seem to care for his writing.

So my question is, in light of what I thought of Lord Foul's Bane, should I finish it off and continue on in the series (i.e. if L. Foul's Bane didn't turn me on, will the rest of the series be boring to me too)? In reality I will probably read the books since I already bought them, but I have many other books on my to-read list, and I can always read Donaldson during a fantasy-book lull.

And Donaldson fans, please don't get too defensive, I realize I'm in the minority here and am somewhat a freak for not liking his writing.

[Rob B]

What the hell are you thinking you literary Unbeliever?!?!? You don't like Donaldson's Covenant books, you are hereby banned by the power of the Wild Magic from my White Gold!!! j/k http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/wink.gif

As many of us here DO like Donaldson, I have seen some say they don't like the writing to the same degree. It is all a matter of preference.

Donaldsons writing style is very distinct and that sometimes sets people off.

I rank the Covenant books very high in my hierarchy. I would suggest maybe putting the book down and coming back to it after some time has passed, (a year? I don't know). I have seen people say they had initial difficulties with the books only to return and thoroughly enjoy them and wonder why they had difficulties in the first place. There are books I had initial difficulties with and later read and enjoyed.

I myself have read the first 3 Sword of Truth books and thought they were page turners as well. Books 1 & 2 I liked but #3 just sort of didn't hold up as well.

Ur-lord and White Gold Wielder,
FitzFlagg

(My wedding ring really is made of White Gold, so beware!!!)

[Cadfael]

I can only second what FitzFlagg has said above, also... Lord Foul's Bane IS very slow, the other books do pick up the pace however, especially the running battle sequence in The Illearth War. It also may be that the books are overhyped on the forum, and new readers may expect too much.

I also wear a white gold wedding ring, because of the infuence of these books, thus... if both me and FF get mad at your dissention... you will be toast http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif However, I suspect because of the paradox of white magic, if we both use it in the same place, we both may cease to exist http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/frown.gif

[DarthV]

I agree with dennizm on the 'slowness' of Lord Foul's Bane. Once I slugged through it and made it on to The Illearth War, things started to get much much more interesting. I started it this past weekend and well I'm halfway through The Power That Preserves! I think I'll read one of the TSR 300 page pulp novels as a filler before tackling the Second Chronicles.

Sith Lord Vader

[This message has been edited by DarthV (edited April 18, 2001).]

[Loki]

Me being as young as i am, hehe it does have it advantages though, i don't know what white gold is i was guessing it was diamond but hey. What is it?

[Rob B]

It is what it sounds like, white gold. Normal gold with a lighter tone, looks almost platinum.

Dennizm has a point, the books are VERY hyped on this forum. (at least by the two of us).

Ur-Lord
~~FF

[Shehzad]

I believe white gold is an allow of gold with platinum or silver. that's what gives it the peculiar colour.

Also, its true that the Thomas Covenant books take some getting into, because the point of the story is neither the action or swift pace, its the ideas and feelings of the protagonist. the change of apce takes a lot of getting used to.

[Ravenlock]

My brother told me about the Thomas Covenant books a while ago and then when I read about them here on the forum I realized they were the books my brother had told me about so I decided to read them. I did like the books; however not as much as I thought I would. Of the first series my favorite one was the Powers that Preserve. I waited a while before reading the second series. When I finally started them I really liked the first book- the wounded land. I didn't like the rest of it however. I was very disappionted in them. THey just weren't what I had expected. I think that they are good books from a literary stand point although they probably aren't page turners. Although I was more interested in finishing the last book then in watching the superbowl. I think that you should read them, but it may be better if you don't start them with any expectations.

[Rhaegar]

I quite enjoyed Lord Foul's Bane and look forward to reading the rest of the series, although I would hesitate to place these books in the "masterpiece" category. Donaldson's writing lacks the vitality and energy of a George R.R. Martin, but it is solid nontheless. But this series excels in terms of sheer originality and scope. These books are certainly no ASoIaF but I like them so far.

[Metosblat]

Tr0dd you are not alone. I also had the same impression when I read Lord Fouls Bane. I LOVED the first 100 pages and I thought the rest would be as good, but it seemed to me that pages 125 to 375 were just extended page fillers to make the whole novel a respectable length. I still thought the book was good as a whole but the middle was diffinately a bore. I'm going to read the illearth war as soon as I my hold comes throught at the library. DAMN THOSE LIBRARY ABUSERS! They borrow out a book then don't return it for six months.

[This message has been edited by Metosblat (edited April 19, 2001).]