The Runes Of The Earth

[Panamon Creel]

The thing that bugs me is that he says on his website that he has had the idea of writing this final Covenant series for about 20 years, that being the case why is it taking him so bloody long to write them.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Panamon Creel

The thing that bugs me is that he says on his website that he has had the idea of writing this final Covenant series for about 20 years, that being the case why is it taking him so bloody long to write them.

Well don't forget there's a big difference to thinking about something and actually getting down to commit that something to paper. It's also quite common for authors to have ideas mulling around in thier head for years before they feel the time is right to make the kind of commitment necessary to produce a story. Also Donaldson's world and writing is reasonably well crafted, so for some people it takes longer than others to achieve the standard they're after.

My advice is to stay patient but also read other quality works whilst you await further books in the final series....

[Panamon Creel]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Well don't forget there's a big difference to thinking about something and actually getting down to commit that something to paper. It's also quite common for authors to have ideas mulling around in thier head for years before they feel the time is right to make the kind of commitment necessary to produce a story. Also Donaldson's world and writing is reasonably well crafted, so for some people it takes longer than others to achieve the standard they're after.

My advice is to stay patient but also read other quality works whilst you await further books in the final series....

I'm not too bothered to be honest. As per the recommendations on this site, I've just started the second book of George RR Martins, Song of Ice and Fire series, which I'm thoroughly enjoying and consider him a far better writer then Donaldson. After that, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into Steven Erikson's, Malazan series.
I'm just curious to know what happens next in the Covenant series but I'm not a huge fan of Donaldson. I still think 3 years is far too long between books.
Taken from Donaldson's website;

Actually, I've had the story for "The Last Chronicles" in mind for at least 25 years. When I first began to imagine "The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant," the ideas for this final project struck me at the same time. As a result, while I was writing "The Second Chronicles" I was able to prepare the way for "The Last Chronicles" by creating all of the loose ends and back doors I would need.

When I wrote the original "Covenant" trilogy, I had no intention of pursuing either the characters or the setting further. The story seemed complete to me as it stood. But my editor at that time was Lester del Rey, and he was the King of Sequels. As soon as I finished working on The Power that Preserves, he began to push for more "Covenant." Ignoring my protests, he tried to prod me by sending me ideas for a second trilogy. Well, these ideas were all bad (I thought they were inherently bad, but they may simply have been bad because they weren't mine). And they got worse as Lester pushed harder. Finally he succeeded at sending me an idea so bad that before I could stop myself I thought, "No, that's terrible, what I really ought to do is--" And there, almost involuntarily, I conceived the stories for both "The Second Chronicles" and "The Last Chronicles."

As I imagined it at the time, "The Second Chronicles" was a logical extension of the first "Covenant" trilogy. In the same way, "The Last Chronicles" is a logical extension of the second.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Panamon Creel

I'm not too bothered to be honest. As per the recommendations on this site, I've just started the second book of George RR Martins, Song of Ice and Fire series, which I'm thoroughly enjoying and consider him a far better writer then Donaldson. After that, I'm looking forward to getting stuck into Steven Erikson's, Malazan series.
I'm just curious to know what happens next in the Covenant series but I'm not a huge fan of Donaldson. I still think 3 years is far too long between books.

Yep I know that qoute well. I agree that Martin and Erikson are probably more talented writers than Donaldson but at the time the original Covenant series was coming out in the late 70s and early 80's it was a bit of a gem at that time for me to read as there wasn't that much Fantasy avaialble at my local bookshops. I still enjoy the Covenant books quite a bit though.

Interesting you mention Martin because his latest book Feast Of Crows represented a 5 year gap before his previously published book in the series Storm Of Swords. Along with Erikson and R. Scott Bakker these are the modern masters of the EPIC Fantasy IMHO. Also the current book is really only half of the completed novel as it features only 50% of the POVs, the next book (due out late this year/early next year) contains the remaining POVs for the current story arc. It simply got too big to publish as 1 novel and the fans of course were becoming a little toey about a 5 year wait b/w books.

Erikson is my fav fantasy author of all time, the Malazan books certainly the best Fantasy series I've ever read. The other amazing thing about Erikson is that he pretty much stated he'd write 10 books in 10 years (part of his contract) and gave all 10 Titles upfront. To date (with a minor exception/dealy in Bk 6 Bonehunters) he's been true to this plan in addition to writing several novellas and being engaged on other projects during this same time. Given the length and quality of the books so far this blows me away a little.

Please do post your thoughts on the Erikson subforum when you get to read the books, will be interested in your comments...

[Panamon Creel]

I didn't know about Martins 5 year gap as I've only just started reading his stuff, although he does seem to have put out some other stuff during that gap unlike Donaldson as far as I know.
I also read the Covenant series in the early 80's and have a bit of a soft spot for it as at the time I hadn't read anything like it and its one of the main reasons why I've continued to read this type of fiction over the years.
I am looking forward to reading Erikson but I've put it to one side until I've finished Martins books.
Incidently, are there any other books by Martin worth reading and who is R. Scott Bakker?

[Allanon]

when is next runes book due???

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Allanon

when is next runes book due???

My understanding is that Fatal Revanant is close to completion of its first draft. It's quoted as coming soon, so I'd suspect a 2007 release date. Can't be more definitive but some of our members like Jay who are closer to the publishing world may have more information.

As soon as I hear something more definite I'll try and post it here.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Panamon Creel

Incidently, are there any other books by Martin worth reading and who is R. Scott Bakker?

Absolutely, I won a competition here and am eagerly awaiting a copy of his Masterwork classic come vampire tale Fevre Dream. I've heard good things about it and will be able to post more once I've read it. He's written other stuff that's received solid acclaim. I know he also wrote some Conan tales in the 70s which were probably the best of the Howard-inspired tales of that time. My advice is to wander over to the Martin subforum here, there's probably a bio there on his other work.

R. Scott Bakker is a Canadian author and creator of the recently completed fantasy EPIC trilogy Prince Of Nothing. Easily one of the best fantasy EPIC series I've read and to my mind and some other members here the best example of modern EPIC fantasy going around at the minute along with Martin and Erikson. Highly recommended.

[ommigosh]

I have just finished Runes of the Earth and enjoyed it almost as much as the First Chronicles of Thomas Covenant which for me is easily the best fantasy related series I have ever read.

Marvellous, marvellous stuff and if all of the remaining books are that good, I honestly don't mind how long Donaldson takes to write them.

This one had everything (mild spoiler warning here!!) , exciting beginning, cliffhanger ending, time travel, battle scenes, exciting chases, vows, oaths, betrayals, mistrust, strange alliances, explanations of what has gone before, great new characters, use of magic and delicious descriptions of the wonderful Land as well as TC himself lurking in the background.

Ingenious writing about the Land in Donaldson's fitting operatic style.

[MARKLS21]

Hi folks,i've just purchased,'Runes Of The Earth',and look forward to reading it,unfortunately,i have a Wilbur Smith to finish,three Terry Pratchett's,and 'DaVinci Code',to get through yet,so i'm looking at a few weeks yet.I may crack,and slip Donaldson in there somewhere,'Watch This Space!'.

[Rahl Windsong]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Actually the previous books are on a similar par so do check out the First and Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (2 trilogies). Knowing what you know from Runes shouldn't spioil things too much as there's still plenty of story in the earlier series.

By the time you've got through them and all the other books I recommended to you you'll be ready for the next Malazan book afte Bonehunters...

Recently just finished the first three in this series, The Unbeliever, The Illearth War, and The Power that Preserves, and I must say this series is really an inspiration to anyone who might be feeing down or depressed. I never realized, until I actually thought about it, how easy it is to despise and despair, and how much that effects the way you feel.

It really is good stuff indeed!

Rahl

[Allanon]

ARRGHHH! any news on next one, im soooo impatient!! :-)

[nixie]

Last information I had was October 2007

[Allanon]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! come on october

[Rosemary]

That long? I'm really looking forward to it

I really enjoyed Runes of The Earth, apart from forgetting a few of the characters who have been in his previous books