Stephen Donaldson

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Lacedaemonian

So far I am awed by the magnitude of this venture. Is there is a more complex character than Thomas Covenant within the fantasy genre? In fact I am not sure if I have ever come across a character of such depth and colour in any work of fiction. Bukowski created some pretty deprived characters too, but they lacked the imaginitive world and any form of plot. This is a highly intellectual work of fiction, and you have to be intrigued by what drives this man. He is so alien to the location that he can not be held accountable for his actions/inactions. The scope is pure madness.

Couldn't agree with you more about it being a "highly intellectual work of fiction" that to me is really a study into the pyschology of the human condition within a fantasy backdrop and the reason why I've always maintained the T. Covenant series is a landmark series in the fanatsy genre and one of the best to appear in the past 30 years. Not to mention the quality of the writing of course....

[freebird]

I enjoyed all of his works, but I must say that at times some of the things included were a bit offensive, i.e. the rape. But overall I think that he did an awesome job of transferring the pain of Thomas Covenant to the reader. I truly wonder if Mr. Donaldson has personally experienced a great deal of pain in his life, and perhaps he himself is something of an unbeliever. Or maybe he is just a sicko.

[GOLLUM]

UM..I don't think I'd classify Mr Donaldson as a sicko. If you listen to him speak or read any of his interviews he comes across as a highly intelligent and considered indviudal who never writes anything without a reason first. Don't forget that the orginal T Covenant charater as the leperous outcast came to Donladson from his own experience with lepers when he was living in India from ages 4-16 where his father was a doctor treating lepers, so he's really writing like most writers do form their own experiences or what they know of when you think about it.

Over and out..

[Foxbat]

I see Donaldson as the Wagner of Fantasy. He pummels his characters so much as to bare their very souls before the reader - and all to a backdrop of devastation and drama that even the great composer himself would have been proud of....I can just hear the thumping brass and swooping strings as Covenant faces his enemy

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I see Donaldson as the Wagner of Fantasy. He pummels his characters so much as to bare their very souls before the reader - and all to a backdrop of devastation and drama that even the great composer himself would have been proud of....I can just hear the thumping brass and swooping strings as Covenant faces his enemy

Quite a nice analogy in some ways really...

[HieroGlyph]

I've enjoyed re-reading these old comments about Covenant and his 'creator'. There hasnt been much activity around the Donaldson thread, to my slight disappointment. But, if I 'grew up on' Coventant wouldnt I be finding all too many things disappointing!?! Hmmm, maybe thats why folks wish to avoid such psychological meanderings?... "Its a dark an' grim road, down ther', mister. I'd watch thee step if I were thee..."


[Oops: chronologically incorrect. Ive been browsing the older threads having not taken too much notice of the dates on the more recent replies. Or to get to my point: Donaldson is far-from-dead! ]

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by HieroGlyph

[Oops: chronologically incorrect. Ive been browsing the older threads having not taken too much notice of the dates on the more recent replies. Or to get to my point: Donaldson is far-from-dead! ]

Well spotted my fellow time taveller. Donaldson like Rock 'n' Roll will never ever die!...

[demigod.bran]

LOL. gosh got back to my thread after two years and its still going??!! haha. from the start i was 17 and now im 19 nearly 20. hehe.

thanks again for all the responses. iv read all the anne mcafferey dragon books since then. and im currently half way through the wheel of time series. i feel old now.