[mrsyetigoosecreature]

I suppose you don't have to love the guy. Empathising with him isn't absolutely necessary. I found that when I read the books that the other characters that I liked such as Saltheart and Mhoram made me really want Covenant to succeed and find the will inside himself to help those he grew to care about. You have to try to understand and accept what Covenant was in danger of losing if he let himself believe. He had seen the outcome of Leprosy when allowed to go unchecked. Yes he is a selfish, obstinate man but I think after reading all six books you do feel some measure of pity for him and some understanding of why he behaved the way he did. I think we just have too many preconceived notions of what makes a 'proper' lead character in a book and we are therefore less open to the complexities of someone like Covenant. He does have the selflessness and courage after all to make the ultimate sacrifice at the end of 'White Gold Wielder'