The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever

chris777

chris777

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I started this book a little while ago. I almost feel bad for writing this, as I feel I have done it so often lately. I have not had much luck with my book choices the past year. I can't recall who on this forum it was, but I was urged adamantly to read this series.(Sorry to disappoint that person) I am not a person who needs a happy protagonist. I like the gritty, dark, sometimes depressing worlds. I had/have no issues with that aspect of this book. What is getting to me is two major things. And they are directly related to the publication date.(Pre 80s).
  1. Details! Oh my, do I really need to know the details of the door you just opened? Or how exactly the mountain looks, or each blade of grass? It's overwhelming and makes me skim far too much of this book
  2. Songs? Really, you need a song in every chapter. This is not an exaggeration. There is at least one song per chapter. It's been a poem sometimes, but usually a song. Who sings this much? Why? It's so corny and campy, sorry.
Those might be easy to get past if I felt the story was getting anywhere. But I'm almost done with book 1 and they are just on this long adventure quest. Again, a pre 80s plot device.

Unless something amazing happens in the last few chapters. I do not foresee myself reading book two.

I don't like making threads to bash on a book, I am hoping someone responds with "Yes it's slow but the ending is great and it starts picking up immensely starting with book2" And hopefully not "Much of the same in all the books".
 
I found it improved as it went along. I didn't particularly care for the first book. But I liked the first trilogy by the end. I haven't read any of the others because I didn't like it that much.
 
I read the First and Second Chronicles. I could not get into The Last. Actually, I think that I enjoyed his sci-fi series (Gap Cycle) more, although it was pretty painful at the beginning.

In fairness, it was the late 90's when I read those, except for The Last. Maybe it had been too long and that is why I could not get into it. But I think that it may be that I had a harder time caring about the characters in Chronicles than those in Gap.
 
I've read the first two trilogies loads of times but Lord Foul's Bane is the one that I've reread the least and I've heard that's not unusual for TC fans. The following two are much more powerful.
 
In my opinion, the 2nd book of the First Chronicles, The Illearth War, is one of the finest pieces of epic fantasy I have ever read. The malice and nature of the Ravers, the tragedy of the Giants, a new character seemingly from Covenant's own reality and the result of Covenant's most heinous crime all take the stage.

I don't recall exactly but I believe the singing eases off. Although there are of course some classic musical scenes like the rap battle of Garrotting Deep where the Forestal is "bitchen with his lichen" and Covenant, under the guise of MC Hellfire sets down some serious licks. And of course the bit where Lord Foul tries to break the arch of time by playing Bon Jovi at it on a loop.
 
Hoodwink said:
In my opinion, the 2nd book of the First Chronicles, The Illearth War, is one of the finest pieces of epic fantasy I have ever read. The malice and nature of the Ravers, the tragedy of the Giants, a new character seemingly from Covenant's own reality and the result of Covenant's most heinous crime all take the stage.
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That's good. I actually decided, mostly because I don't have any other books on hand, to give the 2nd one a shot. Wasn't that impressed with the first.

I don't recall exactly but I believe the singing eases off. Although there are of course some classic musical scenes like the rap battle of Garrotting Deep where the Forestal is "bitchen with his lichen" and Covenant, under the guise of MC Hellfire sets down some serious licks. And of course the bit where Lord Foul tries to break the arch of time by playing Bon Jovi at it on a loop.
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See, I want to believe that you are joking. But that all sounds pretty amazing, so it's probably true.
 
Chris, it was me who strongly suggested you read it. I know Donaldson is a very polarizing author; either you love his style or you hate it, for the most part. I though because we both really liked the Acts of Caine and Prince of Nothing that our tastes would coincide on Thomas Covenant as well. Sorry you didn't enjoy it.

As was stated earlier, The Illearth War was magnificent and a true standout in the series.
 
Luckily the songs have stopped. Thank goodness for that. Some complaints I have though:

  • Some of the dialogue is just so disconnected it takes me out of the story. It's normally Thomas, but his angry responses to people seem to be disconnected from what is actually happening on the page.
  • And he seems to be angry and annoying for no other reason than to be angry and annoying. His emotions are so random that it doesn't appear fluid at all. He seems very psychotic, but I don't think that's intended.
  • He is convinced this is a dream, yet he refuses to help because he won't kill anyone? How does that even make sense.
  • The names of things are silly. I know it was part of the trope at the time. You name things simple and literal. Maybe that seemed magestic before, now it seems corny.
  • So much fluff, and description. The war just started, and they then spend 2 1/2 pages talking about how every feels about that. How the land is laid out. I skip so much.

I'm very sorry guys, I tried. I think I'm going to start Raven's Shadow now.
 
Well that's a shame. I read the first two trilogies and loved them all, The Illearth War being one of my all-time favorite books.
 
chris777 said:
Luckily the songs have stopped. Thank goodness for that. Some complaints I have though:

  • Some of the dialogue is just so disconnected it takes me out of the story. It's normally Thomas, but his angry responses to people seem to be disconnected from what is actually happening on the page.
  • And he seems to be angry and annoying for no other reason than to be angry and annoying. His emotions are so random that it doesn't appear fluid at all. He seems very psychotic, but I don't think that's intended.
  • He is convinced this is a dream, yet he refuses to help because he won't kill anyone? How does that even make sense.
  • The names of things are silly. I know it was part of the trope at the time. You name things simple and literal. Maybe that seemed magestic before, now it seems corny.
  • So much fluff, and description. The war just started, and they then spend 2 1/2 pages talking about how every feels about that. How the land is laid out. I skip so much.

I'm very sorry guys, I tried. I think I'm going to start Raven's Shadow now.
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Hm, have been thinking about trying this series but that does not sound too great...
 
bard`s song said:
Hm, have been thinking about trying this series but that does not sound too great...
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This is why I hate giving bad reviews for books. Many other people have enjoyed them. If you think it might be for you, try it. Don't let me sway you. There is a definite type of style for most of the books written around the 70s and before. If you don't like that type of style, I don't think you will like this book. But if you have liked, for example, Wizard of Earthsea style. Give it a shot.
 
I just saw a headline about a rise in leprosy cases in the state of Florida and couldn't help but blurt out "Don't touch me!".

I know, I'm a weirdo.
 
I did read these a long time ago, and they are very hard work, but really felt that they were very rewarding. It's bit similar to the prince of nothing in this regard.

Some of the scene are the most memorable in fantasy, it's a shame you couldn't stick with it.
 
Pizzaman said:
I did read these a long time ago, and they are very hard work, but really felt that they were very rewarding. It's bit similar to the prince of nothing in this regard.

Some of the scene are the most memorable in fantasy, it's a shame you couldn't stick with it.
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Does Prince of Nothing eventually get rewarding (because I did not find anything in the first book made it worth my while).
 
Ryan Mueller said:
Does Prince of Nothing eventually get rewarding (because I did not find anything in the first book made it worth my while).
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It doesn't get any easier to read, the first one just got me interested enough to buy the second, and that's when I was blown away.

The first book was more of a scene setting and set up, now the holy war starts.

Try it, the second book really is one of my all time favourites, hopefully you find the same.

Kellhus really drives the book and is one of most interesting protagonists I have come across.
 
The second book, The Warrior Prophet, is one of the best books I've ever read. As Pizzaman has said the trilogy vaults to the next level at that point.
 
Pizzaman said:
I did read these a long time ago, and they are very hard work, but really felt that they were very rewarding. It's bit similar to the prince of nothing in this regard.

Some of the scene are the most memorable in fantasy, it's a shame you couldn't stick with it.
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PoN is one of my favorites. I never was close to stopping reading that series.

I may pick this back up, I dunno. I like the plot, and I will miss not reading more about the world here. But I just can't be reading a book I am not enjoying. Feels like a waste of time.

I just started Anthony Ryan's Raven's Shadow, and I am finally back to enjoying reading again. So far it's a good book!
 
Thomas Covenant is mandatory reading for all fantasy enthusiasts!

Haven't read the third trilogy yet but will at some point in my life.
 
Hah, I started this series as a kid with "White Gold Wielder" (last book of the second trilogy), so imagine how lost I felt! Took years for me to get all of them read in order (many books back then had nice summaries in front, IIRC this one did as well).

I really think the first 2 series are required reading. The level of world building and such is just astounding. Plus it is so nice to read a non-tolkein/non-pseudomedieval based fantasy series. I'm not as hot on the third series though.
 
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