Is Thomas Covenant the most frustrating "hero" ever?

[zoran]

Originally Posted by ElJayDee

I read all 6 Covenant novels quite a few years ago and found him to be the most frustrating character I have ever followed. the first three I found readable but frustrating and the second three seemed almost to be masochism.
I do understand that his failure to do the decent thing relates to his failure to come to terms with his recovered health, but you would think he could have at least got something right, even by accident.
I would truly like to understand what people like about the series that they can re-read it many times. I still have the full first and second chronicles and maybe someone can convince me to re-read them with a different mindset.

Look, I realy like this character, because it has complexity AND because he doesn't allways do the right thing. That's plain realistic - NO ONE does the right thing all the time.

For me, most frustrating characters are those "super - goody- heros" that allways do the right thing.

[dreir]

Yeah, in no way is TC the most frustrating hero ever. If you doubt that, check out Nevare in Robin Hobb's Soldier Son trilogy. And I'm a fan of hers. And many other fans agree with me.

TC is in my opinion one of the most realistic heroes ever protrayed. I know some of us have trouble emphatising with him, but here's a tip. Imagine yourself having leprosy (god forbid) and then put through the things he's had to endure. You'll see that all his actions become completely logical.

Btw, I'm currently on book 2 of my (xth) reread of the first chronicles