The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant)
by Stephen R. Donaldson
|
|
Sign in to Goodreads to see your friends' reviews of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever.
discuss this book
friend reviews (0)
To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
lists with this book
This book is not in any lists. Go add it to a list.
other reviews (showing 1-20 of 305)
Read in March, 2008
Stephen Donaldson's epic The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever doubtlessly belong among the classics of fantasy literature, and at least among fantasy readers of my own age, they are considered part of what you are expected to have read. Now I finally have.
It begins well, with the unlikely protagonist Thomas Covenant -- a best-selling author fallen victim to leprosy who is thrown into a parallel world -- arriving in the Land, a place that cannot possibly exist and which Cov...more
It begins well, with the unlikely protagonist Thomas Covenant -- a best-selling author fallen victim to leprosy who is thrown into a parallel world -- arriving in the Land, a place that cannot possibly exist and which Cov...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1982
Great, amazing books. Turns romantic, sylvan fantasy on its ear. Many people complain about these books because it moves slowly, or because the main character is reprehensible. The only thing I can say is “Deal.” When you have a series of books centering on the salvation of a lost and embittered man, he’s not going to start out being a nice guy! If you want your fantasy heroes to be handsome, valorous, strong, and virtuous, go re-read Tolkien. These books are not about saving the wor...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I've read tons of fantasy, but the Thomas Covenant series remains my favorite. The characters are real and not only question their motives but their reality as well.
At first this series seems another LOTR rip off, but quickly turns into a journey of faith and truth. Donaldson is a master storyteller, and I don't say that lightly.
The only downfall of this series is it's heaviness. The main character is not the hopeful, innocent, and driven hero of which fantasy readers are accustomed. ...more
At first this series seems another LOTR rip off, but quickly turns into a journey of faith and truth. Donaldson is a master storyteller, and I don't say that lightly.
The only downfall of this series is it's heaviness. The main character is not the hopeful, innocent, and driven hero of which fantasy readers are accustomed. ...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Lord Foul's Bane is the first book in a six book fantasy series that kept my wife, Corie, and me eagerly awaiting the next book. We couldn't wait for the paper back edition, so we went to the author's book signing at The Tattered Cover and paid top dollar for the hard cover edition.
Each book in the series is close to 1000 pages, so I would only recommend it for fast readers! Thomas Covenant, who is dying from leprosy, goes into a coma and enters The Land--a new world of magic and enchantme...more
Each book in the series is close to 1000 pages, so I would only recommend it for fast readers! Thomas Covenant, who is dying from leprosy, goes into a coma and enters The Land--a new world of magic and enchantme...more
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
The vote was 213 to 197 in favor of a revision of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill that was backed by the Democratic leadership.
One member voted present.
The vote came after a unique secret session Thursday night in the House. It was the first time the House has met in secret since 1983 .
The Democratic plan would allow telecommunications companies to be sued for their role in the administration's much-disputed warrantless surveillance program -- something that Pr...more
One member voted present.
The vote came after a unique secret session Thursday night in the House. It was the first time the House has met in secret since 1983 .
The Democratic plan would allow telecommunications companies to be sued for their role in the administration's much-disputed warrantless surveillance program -- something that Pr...more
Like this review?
yes
1 comments
Read in January, 1993
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (like most of Stephen Donaldson's works) are quite gritty, and therefore not everyone's cup of tea. Covenant is unlikable but sympathetic protagonist, and the series is as much about Covenant's journey of self discovery as it is about the traditional science-fiction/fantasy motifs. Highly recommended!
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I've tried. And tried. And it will never happen. I will never like this series. I made myself read the first trilogy last year, in order to get past the infamous first scene (You know what I'm talking about). I hated it. So, put it in the "life is too short" category! Some people love this series. So, try it if you'd like.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1984
The entire Chronicles by Donaldson is one of my all-time favorites. Such a fascinating concept, to give us a main character who is not heroic but must in the end redeem the sacrifices made on his behalf. Out of all the fantasy I've read I think Donaldson is the best writer I've come across in the genre.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
More than just a fantasy trilogy, it's an exploration of leprosy and the journey(physically, mentally, even spiritually) of a man suffering from it.
Sure there's magic and strange creatures, but that is just the surface.
It's the last fantasy work I ever read.
Sure there's magic and strange creatures, but that is just the surface.
It's the last fantasy work I ever read.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1982
The premise is really interesting, but you'd better like getting into a character's head if you read this because Thomas Covenent has ISSUES and you will know all of them by the end of this series. Covenent is an extremely tortured and confused character.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1995
I agree with many, that the second half of the trilogy is not as worthwhile. And yet, the Unbeliever is someone you should spend time with-- go as far as the first three books and enjoy! Would that we could live in unspoiled Andelain.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1984
recommends it for:
Self-loathing fantasy geeks
I learned that lepers hate themselves too.
Looking back I see his symbolism with the Land and Lord Foul and all that is just an exploaration of leprosy itself.
Regardless, I really liked how cranky that leper was.
Looking back I see his symbolism with the Land and Lord Foul and all that is just an exploaration of leprosy itself.
Regardless, I really liked how cranky that leper was.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
See review for Lord Foul's Bane. Intense conclusion to the First Chronicles, very well done, excitingly concluded. No wonder public demand alone required Donaldson to write the Second Chronicles, q.v.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
I thought that this fantasy type novel was different and very catching. There was one part that was a little racy, but looking back, it really was necessary for the evolution of the story.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1993
Another book that I read when I was fairly young. A weak man with leprosy is transported to an alternative world where he must become the hero by overcoming himself.
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
Read in January, 1991
I read this one pretty young. It kind of fucked me up. But for fantasy readers who want the darkness not to go away, here you are...
Like this review?
yes
add a comment
