Chronicles of Thomas Covenenant

[stormbard]

For myself personally, when a good story is hit upon, then write it, as in LOTR. 6 books, and none too many. To me, each and every book is a miracle, and opens up new worlds and new experiences.

[Blind Prophet]

Originally Posted by SciFi_Short_Story

Having perused my library of materials bought mostly within a 5-year time frame ending roughly twice that length before today (that's one for the math majors), I noticed a series of books that I fell immediately in love with for its fantastical qualities as well as plot, character development, reader involvement - truly a total package.

And so I ask you all, now: am I the only one that has read these jewels of literature, by Stephen R. Donaldson, which must be read with a dictionary in one hand and a medical manual on the other (the novels themselves supported by book clips...), or have otherse been blessed to be able to enlighten themselves with this beautiful world full of realistically-written people?

Or should I re-read it, because a 12 year old's idea of a good book is far different than a 23 year old's...?

I understood a lot of Donaldson's language, but I have extrenuating circumstances. I was disabled at birth and have consequently spent a lot of time around hospitals and doctors so i can understand some on the medical language. Also as I was not very sporty I read a lot so i have quite a large lexis.

Oh, and if you have a dictionary in one hand, and a medical dictionary in the other, how are you reading the book? lol

[Manarion]

I first bought Lord Foul's Bane quite a few years ago-somewhere around eight years ago or so-and I found it to be frustrating, long, and not much in the way of action or interest. I eventually did get through it, and read through the rest of the series, and most of the sequeling series, but just found the Thomas Covenent books to degenerate as time went on. I would NOT recommend picking them up again or even going near them with anything short of a flamethrower. They're the type of book that you'd rather use as tinder on a camping trip than entertainment-though they might indeed be a good way to put yourself to sleep in a cold tent. I bought Mirror of Her Dreams, but I haven't read it yet as I'm basing his work solely on the Thomas Covenent books.

[The Procrastinator]

If TC drove you up the wall you might prefer Mirror of Her Dreams. Its more "standard fantasy" in many ways than Covenant, so give it a go one day, you never know.

Loved both Chrons of TC myself. I bought the first volume of the new chronicles, but wasn't too impressed with it on the first read. But I'll give it time...

[Ash59]

Manarion should probably stick to Shannara or whatever other fly blown yawnfest of a world his/her imagination is comfy slopping about in. stear clear of 'The Land' for all our sakes.
I confess i don't really understand all this Dictionary/Medical encyclopedia bit - I was 18 when i first started the first chronicles and i managed ok needing neither.
These books are a bleedin' wonder.

[Tansy]

I read these years ago when I was still in my teens and they did keep me reading, but, like LoTR, I found parts of them really hard going, from what I remember they were overly descriptive and I found it hard to stay interested. I remember wanting to slap old TC a few times, and though I can remember waiting avidly for the next installment I can also remember forcing myself to finish some of them.

However, I think my reading tastes have changed over the years and I've no desire to pick up the new Covenant books. I'm not sure how I'd feel about reading them now after reading GRRM etc. I think at the time I read them they were in a league of their own in the genre. I enjoyed the Mirror duology more than TC but they were an easier read.

I certainly didn't feel the need to have a dictionary or medical reference book to hand as I read them, but then I was an avid reader back then.