Any of you guys read either of the two Stephen Donaldson Trilogies?

Greyform · 11-16-2006, 11:04 PM

Any of you guys read either of the two Stephen Donaldson Trilogies?

The first set is "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever"

I read these when I was in High school (translation: A really long time ago) but missed out on the second trilogies when I joined the service.

I remember getting into them right after I had read The Lord of The Rings trilogy, and was hoping this was more of the same. As I remember it, this series was a bit darker.

The first book I believe is Lord Fouls Bane.

I am curious what the more modern readers thought of these trilogies. I am considering starting the first three over and then starting in on the second trilogy.

Vorph · 11-17-2006, 02:59 AM

I enjoyed the first Covenant trilogy when I read it a really long time ago, but when I tried to reread the series again not too long ago I realized just how much Donaldson is to blame for the "whiny bitch" protagonists in so much of modern fantasy. It didn't take long for me to remember why I never got past book 5 in the second trilogy (Covenant is not a likable character in the first series, and he gets much worse in the second one) and I gave up on it.

Lusiphur · 11-17-2006, 05:02 AM

Gotta agree with Vorph here. Covenant just needs a slapping.

Mordant's Need and the sci-fi stuff (the name escapes me) is much better.

Arbuste · 11-17-2006, 05:03 AM

I read the first trilogy. I didn't like it. I guess it's nice and original to have a main character you pity, despise and hate for 1,200 pages, but it's not very fun. And not very interesting.
It must be the most overrated fantasy book / trilogy ever.

I'm not going to read the second trilogy.

Greyform · 11-17-2006, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorph

I enjoyed the first Covenant trilogy when I read it a really long time ago, but when I tried to reread the series again not too long ago I realized just how much Donaldson is to blame for the "whiny bitch" protagonists in so much of modern fantasy. It didn't take long for me to remember why I never got past book 5 in the second trilogy (Covenant is not a likable character in the first series, and he gets much worse in the second one) and I gave up on it.

Yeah I kind of remember getting frustrated with him as well.

But if I remember right, he came through in the end. I am disappointed to hear he did not grow in the second trilogy.

Thanks for the feedback.

Nebuchadnezzar · 11-17-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vorph

I enjoyed the first Covenant trilogy when I read it a really long time ago, but when I tried to reread the series again not too long ago I realized just how much Donaldson is to blame for the "whiny bitch" protagonists in so much of modern fantasy. It didn't take long for me to remember why I never got past book 5 in the second trilogy (Covenant is not a likable character in the first series, and he gets much worse in the second one) and I gave up on it.

Tried to read it last year I think it was, and this was exactly why I couldn't even get through the first book. I was so sick of whiny characters and Covenant (and everyone else) whines and whines non-stop.

Frax · 11-20-2006, 08:28 AM

Far better stuff by donaldson

Mordant's Need (2 book set : The Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through )

&

the GAP sequence (Sci-Fi series, pretty good stuff)

There is also a first book for the third Covenant trilogy available.

However all of his books tend to have gritty unlikable characters in many roles.. maybe thats why I like his stuff because its not happy happy joy joy stuff on every page.

Kuro · 11-20-2006, 05:11 PM

I enjoyed the chronicles, but I looked at Covenant as more of a lens through which you get to see the other characters. Everyone else shines brighter compared to him lol.

Brand · 11-21-2006, 09:44 AM

The Thomas Covenant books are not for everyone. The first 2 chapters containa rather shocking scene...Something that influences the series and sets the tone of striving for redemption and the consequences of belief.

Anyway, they were ok...'Power that Preserves' is by far the best of the 7 books.

Oh yeah, the THIRD trilogy is being written now. Runes of the Earth is the first of that third series...It was decent, but seems to be a synthesis of the first two series.

Kuro · 11-21-2006, 12:35 PM

Does it involve the lady from the 2nd book being a bitter douche in order to keep the common theme of main-characterdom in the series?

Brand · 11-22-2006, 09:37 AM

Yes...Yes it does.

11-16-2006, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
Greyform You just keep thinkin' Butch. That's what you're good at. Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 511 +4 Internets	Any of you guys read either of the two Stephen Donaldson Trilogies? Any of you guys read either of the two Stephen Donaldson Trilogies? The first set is "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" I read these when I was in High school (translation: A really long time ago) but missed out on the second trilogies when I joined the service. I remember getting into them right after I had read The Lord of The Rings trilogy, and was hoping this was more of the same. As I remember it, this series was a bit darker. The first book I believe is Lord Fouls Bane. I am curious what the more modern readers thought of these trilogies. I am considering starting the first three over and then starting in on the second trilogy.

11-17-2006, 02:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Vorph Never Go Full Retard Join Date: May 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 5,665	I enjoyed the first Covenant trilogy when I read it a really long time ago, but when I tried to reread the series again not too long ago I realized just how much Donaldson is to blame for the "whiny bitch" protagonists in so much of modern fantasy. It didn't take long for me to remember why I never got past book 5 in the second trilogy (Covenant is not a likable character in the first series, and he gets much worse in the second one) and I gave up on it. __________________

11-20-2006, 08:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Frax Not So Hopey Changey Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Axis of Evil Posts: 2,699	Far better stuff by donaldson Mordant's Need (2 book set : The Mirror of Her Dreams/A Man Rides Through ) & the GAP sequence (Sci-Fi series, pretty good stuff) There is also a first book for the third Covenant trilogy available. However all of his books tend to have gritty unlikable characters in many roles.. maybe thats why I like his stuff because its not happy happy joy joy stuff on every page. __________________ One Last edited by Frax : 11-20-2006 at 08:30 AM.

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11-17-2006, 05:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lusiphur Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bonny Scotland Posts: 364 -3 Internets	Gotta agree with Vorph here. Covenant just needs a slapping. Mordant's Need and the sci-fi stuff (the name escapes me) is much better.

11-17-2006, 05:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Arbuste Smithers, this calls for the league of Evil! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 761 -1 Internets	I read the first trilogy. I didn't like it. I guess it's nice and original to have a main character you pity, despise and hate for 1,200 pages, but it's not very fun. And not very interesting. It must be the most overrated fantasy book / trilogy ever. I'm not going to read the second trilogy.

11-20-2006, 05:11 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kuro Support Beam Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,471 +14 Internets	I enjoyed the chronicles, but I looked at Covenant as more of a lens through which you get to see the other characters. Everyone else shines brighter compared to him lol.

11-21-2006, 09:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
Brand Prince of Nothing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 227 +2 Internets	The Thomas Covenant books are not for everyone. The first 2 chapters containa rather shocking scene...Something that influences the series and sets the tone of striving for redemption and the consequences of belief. Anyway, they were ok...'Power that Preserves' is by far the best of the 7 books. Oh yeah, the THIRD trilogy is being written now. Runes of the Earth is the first of that third series...It was decent, but seems to be a synthesis of the first two series.

11-21-2006, 12:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Kuro Support Beam Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,471 +14 Internets	Does it involve the lady from the 2nd book being a bitter douche in order to keep the common theme of main-characterdom in the series?

11-22-2006, 09:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
Brand Prince of Nothing Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 227 +2 Internets	Yes...Yes it does.