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Who knew? Stephen R Donaldson just added a new Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Well when I say "just" it was 20 years ago but I only just found out this week. I read The Chronicles in the 80s and thought it had ended there.

My question is. Is it worth it?
I totally loved the First and Second Chronicles, but if I'm going to read the "Last Chronicles" I gotta go up into the loft and find my copies of First and Second and re-read all six, and then start on the Last. For Thomas Covenant fans, are the last Chronicles worth reading?

Opinions?

Thank you!

As far as I know, main character of the last chronicles is Thomas's son. I too loved the first trilogy and liked the second, but sheer number of pages in last chronicles makes me suspicious. Not that I haven't bought all four as soon as I learned about their existence, of course...

Fingon wrote: "As far as I know, main character of the last chronicles is Thomas's son. I too loved the first trilogy and liked the second, but sheer number of pages in last chronicles makes me suspicious. Not th..."

Thanks! Maybe, I'll wait for your reviews on Goodreads!

I loved the first three, the second three were OK, but I never felt like the last four were up to the level of the other two series, especially the first one.

A lifetime ago I read about 20 pages of the first one and DNFed it thinking,”Wow, what a whiner! Such a downer!”

I read the first three chronicles in the 80's, and subsequently followed the embittered writer's epic journey in the Land through to the finale in The Last Dark. It is an epic journey of discovery, doubt, misery, wonder, hope, loss, hurt, frustration – never joy. Often loathing. Definitely loathing for his brutal act. As CBRetriever above, I found the first three books compelling, a must read. Was this Land real? Or just the fraught imagination of a leper? This premise evolved as I read on, and became a test of stamina against the emotional drain of Thomas's constant self-loathing. The world building is incredible, and the supporting cast are strongly defined and mostly a welcome relief from Thomas. The prose is intriguing and complex, a battle and a joy; I liked it, but I had to work hard. I'm glad I'm here, I'm pleased that I read it. Would I do it all again? Hmmm …

Thanks for your opinions. I'm going to hold off for the moment. I have such fond memories of the first two series, I'd hate to spoil it now. Partly the lukewarm reactions to the final series, and partly being at a different stage of life it just might not hit the mark the same.

You should jump in and read those last 4 "new" books. They are heavier than the other novels, and while Thomas Covenant's son is a big character, he is NOT the main character. It shifts between Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery.

Oof heavier than the first series and its trigger warnings? I don't know if I'd cope 😅

I did read the last books in the series and yes, they did focus more on Linden. but they were heavy.

I read the first and second chronicles like everyone else. I re read Lord Fouls Bane some years ago and just decided to leave the series as it stood in my mind. I could not handle Thomas at the age I am now. Ha Ha and never felt the need to read the most "recent" books.