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Worth the Wait
More than two decades after he completed the Second Chronicles, Stephen R. Donaldson has begun a third series about the leprous Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. In this
Amazon.com exclusive essay, Donaldson explains why The Runes of the Earth has been so long in the making.
Book Description
More than twenty years ago, Stephen R. Donaldson set a literary landmark with the first fantasy bestseller. His New York Times bestselling series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, transformed modern fantasy. Now, at long last, Donaldson introduces the first novel of the much-awaited, four-volume finale to the series that's sold more than ten million copies.
Thomas Covenant lost everything. Abandoned by his wife and child, sick and alone, he was transported while unconscious to a magical, dreamlike world called the Land. Convinced it was all a delusion, Covenant was christened The Unbeliever by the Land's inhabitants-but gave his life to save this newfound world he came to regard as precious.
Ten years after Covenant's death, Linden Avery still mourns for her beloved companion. But a violent confrontation with Covenant's son- who is doing the evil Lord Foul's bidding-forces her back to the Land, where a dark malevolence is about to unmake the laws of nature-and of life and death itself.
Download Description
"The triumphant return of the New York Times-bestselling, critically acclaimed fantasy series that has become a modern classic. Since their publication more than two decades ago, the initial six books in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series have sold more than 6 million copies and have been published in ten countries around the world. Now, starting with The Runes of the Earth, Stephen R. Donaldson returns with a quartet of new Covenant novels that are certain to satisfy his millions of fans, and attract countless new followers. In the original series, a man-living in our world and in our time-is mysteriously struck down with a disease long since believed to have been eradicated. He becomes a pariah in his small town and is abandoned by his wife who departs with their infant son. Alone and despairing, Thomas Covenant falls and, while unconscious, is transported to a fantastic world in which a battle for the soul of the land is being waged. Christened ""The Unbeliever""-for he is convinced the world is only an illusion, a dream-he finds himself slowly forced to accept the role that seems to be his destiny: savior of the Land. At the end of the sixth book, Covenant is killed, both in the real world and in the Land, as his companion, Linden Avery, looks on in horror. His death is both the ultimate sacrifice-and his redemption. At the opening of The Runes of Earth, ten years have passed. Linden Avery comes home one day to find her child building images of the Land with blocks, and senses a terrible foreboding. She had thought that she would never again be summoned to the Land-nor ever again see her beloved Thomas Covenant. But in the Land, evil is unmaking the very laws of nature. . . . "
Customer Reviews:
You all just don't believe in fairies anymore........2007-10-08
I have read most of the reviews regarding this book and I think the biggest problem with some readers is they've just grown-up too much. Not that it is a bad thing, it's just that twenty-some-odd years have passed since they first read the first books, and they have probably evolved in their taste in regards to reading material. Because it had been such a long time I decided that before reading this book I would read all of the previous 7 (yes 7, don't forget Gilden-fire).
I was glad I did, it helped keep this one in perspective in regards to my expectations. I first read these books back in High School when they first came out, I actually read them dozens of times back then, but with getting on with life and all it had been a good many years since my last read. So I dug them out of storage and settled in for a good long month or so of reading. However I ripped through the first 7 in about 10 or 12 days, much quicker than expected. I also noticed that they weren't quite as "difficult" or "wordy" as I remembered. I can only assume I have changed over the years since the books hadn't. In any case they were still the best Fantasy books I've ever read, including this last one.
So yes, I loved it as much as the first 7, and yes the characters are still very similar, that is why I liked it, and that is why others like it. It is sort of the whole point isn't it? If I want different characters or a different plot line I can read the autor's Gap series, or Mordant's need books. You all complain the characters and/or the plot is the same, well that's why I like it so much, I miss those characters and situations. If you want different characters and situations read some of his other books. It's sort of like watching an episode of "Hogan's Heroes" and saying well this episode is just like all of the others, same characters, same plot. No kidding? There's a shocker! That's why we watch the same TV shows each week, even though the plots are all just different spins on the same 3 or 4 situations, and we know the main character will always escape their dire predicament, and yes, the bad guy never really dies as we are lead to believe over and over. That's why the series continues, and we like it for those same reasons. We find comfort with those characters and situations and come back for more every week. This book is like seeing an old episode of Lucile Ball or the Andy Griffith show 30 years later that for some reason you had never seen before, like one of those "lost episodes" someone found in their grandfather's attic where it had been for 30 years since it first aired.
I don't know about you but I never expected to read about these characters or these places again, and I actually found quite pleasing to read about the familiar people and places of The Land once again. Yes Lord Foul is a rather stereo-typical villain, and at times Lindon can be annoying, but I know I thought of Covenant was annoying when I first started reading Lord Foul's Bane as well.
All in all I was excited to read another story about the wonderful people of The Land and their valiant, if not futile, battle against the evil Lord Foul, and that is just what I got.
Not Free SF Reader.......2007-09-25
Yet another annoying differently sized paperback. This one is over-wide. So, annoying to hold and to read, with more sideways eye movement needed. Definitely detracts from the enjoyment. A large amount of italicising of names of other races, groups, clans, or whatever, that got to be a real pain, as it was done continually.
Before I started this I guessed 'ok, with thousands of pages written already, what else can he do? Oh, I know, make the Haruchai antagonists'.
Yep, that is what he did. Bah.
This feels a bit padded. Also had 2 words I had never seen before in the first 150 pages, so I think Donaldson has been playing with his thesaurus for a while. Donaldson is clearly a talented writer, but he may be over indulging a little, here.
One good point - a much needed recap of the other six books that I found very useful, and it seemed in the case of this book, the editing was very good, as far as a lack of typos, etc., compared to a lot of publications recently.
The plot throws Linden Avery back into The Land, after 10 years in the real world, running a psychiatric instutition that has Joan Covenant as a patient. Covenant's son turns up, violence ensues, and it is off they go back to fantasy land, so to speak.
The thing I didn't pick beforehand is that they start playing with time travel.
So, yet again, Lord Foul gets up off the mat, the Staff of Law is nowhere to be found, etc., etc. Throw in some new magical conditions, another group of humans, some magical horses and there you go.
Presumably there are two more, but Reader's Digest versions might do me.
Illogical time travel plot reused.......2007-08-08
I like Donaldson's writing as much as ever, but I am very disappointed by his attempt at a time travel story. [spoiler warning] From reading other time travel stories which contain the same causality logic flaw, I saw what was coming: a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy "the staff disappeared, it could have gone into the future, I should bring it into the future". I cringed and hoped it wasn't so. In vain. If the Staff of Law had been left in the past, many bad things would have been avoided. The only reasonable action related to time travel would be to return Anele to his original time. He would find the staff where he left it and there would be no Kevin's dirt. He would be absolved. Moving both Anele and staff back to the future is the worst possible action Linden could have taken, and it just isn't believable that she would have done it. I can only hope Donaldson has the characters realize their errors, or finds a new perspective on time travel. Otherwise the second and third books of this series will get 2 and 1 stars. These sorts of circular causality time travel plots are overused in fiction and lame to begin with.
It get's better...and worse!!!.......2007-07-09
Just when you thought Steven Donaldson was finished giving twists to the fate of the Land...BAM! Once again he surprises us and catches us in the tide of his spectacular narrating, with the complexity of his characters, evolution of Fouls diverse forms of corruption and his profound belief in humanity and values . I Loved it... again!!!
Incredible addition to the stunning original two Chronicles..........2007-05-22
It took me FOREVER to finally have the patience to get into the original first novel of the first Chronicles way back in the mid 80's (Lord Foul's Bane)...I was young, dumb & stupid and had no real ability to get into a serious Fantasy series without large doses of action, humor and magic. One other factor which didn't help was the fact that Donaldson's imaginative Land was so stunningly original and, well, different than anything that had come before I just had a hard time really getting into it. I am pretty sure I'm not the only one this happened to...but like those who eventually did, I can say that I was profoundly impressed with such an amazing accomplishment. More than likely I'd say that the First & Second Chronicles can stand side-by-side with Tolkien and Martin's 'Song of Ice And Fire' series for sheer scope.
After a fortunate opportunity to interview Mr. Donaldson as this novel came out, I discovered one really HUGE detail that many who are fans of this series did not know. As he finished up the original Chronicles, Stephen never really had plans to write a second series. After being pestered by Lester del Rey about possible storylines, Stephen came up with the plot for the Second AND Last Chronicles at the same time. For those who have read both original series and after getting into this Last Chronicles, you will see how Mr. Donaldson carefully crafted that 2nd series leaving bread crumbs here and there alluding to what will eventually come--but I have to admit that as I read the novels for the first time I missed them altogether not even considering that another series would ever happen...and after waiting for well over 20 years, I just assumed I was right all along. Imagine my surprise finding out that the series would continue, and that for those interested enough, by re-reading the 2nd Chronicles, you would discover amazing storylines that only now would make total sense. While I interviewed Stephen, I asked what I thought was the obvious: Why then did you take so dang long to write the story?? He admitted that he was absolutely certain he wasn't good enough at writing back when he finished the 2nd series to attempt what he knew the series would need in order to be done right. That wasn't the answer I was expecting to be sure. What author admits readily that they aren't good enough?
So after all the wait, how is it? There will ALWAYS be the Thomas Covenant Purists who have read and RE-read the first two series over and over again so often that this final series will NEVER be capable of living up to such anticipation. As I have read here since the novel came out, there are many who consider this newest addition to be every bit as good, and in some ways maybe even better...so obviously there are going to be a great number of split decisions regarding everything. Personally I found the story to fall somewhere in the middle. I tremendously enjoyed going back to such an incredibly detailed world like the Land, and yet some of the noted problems with the story that some have brought up I can identify with as well. While thousands of years have passed, why do so many of the characters seem almost EXACTLY the same as before? I felt a shade of regret at feeling, 'Been There, Done That' a little more often than I would have liked--but having been away from the Land for so long, I ignored a great deal of it simply because I was too excited to be back to complain too much. Will I anxiously buy up a copy of book 2 in this series? DUH. For those who want this series to be similar yet different to the first two series, I really don't know what to tell you other than some of you will absolutely adore it, and some won't. I wish I could be more descriptive, but as always, opinions DO vary. I was too thrilled to finally be reading a new Thomas Covenant book to be too upset, and if you are like me, you will be fine with all the other criticisms...but just as easily you may not be. Sure I realize I am being way too cryptic to be a help to everyone, but for those familiar with Donaldson, this will pretty much make perfect sense, and hopefully it'll help.
Book Description
Historical facts about the runes in plain English. This book looks at what we really know about them and how we know it. There is also a discussion of the popular authors of esoteric runology, and a chapter exposing the myths and misconceptions about runes perpetuated in many popular rune manuals. The Primer will provide you with a basic factual foundation of rune knowledge, and enable you to sort the useful gems from the rubbish in your future investigations.
Customer Reviews:
A Must Read Rune Book.......2007-09-27
Although there are many good books on runes, this is the only one that I've found that clearly separates modern fantasy from historical realities. I was surprised to learn that many of the meanings given to the runes of the Elder Futhark aren't the original meanings but were extrapolated out from younger runic systems as the LIKELY meanings for the runes of the Elder Futhark.
This may not be a big shift for most people, but for me it was earth shattering. All along I had believed that I was working with the genuine, original, runic system of divination and magic not a modern version or interpretation. Now I have to eat crow in front of my pagan and New Age friends to whom I boasted that I was working with a genuine system based on historic fact rather than modern invention like theirs.
Many of the modern myths about runes are exposed in this book as well as the authors who propogate them to line their own pockets. There is also good basic information about what we do know about the runes so you can make an informed decision about how you want to approach them and use them in your own work.
I highly recommend this book! If I could give it 7 stars I would.
the rune PRIMER.......2007-09-18
This is an awful book, and I would only recommend it to someone who's never even heard the word "rune," but for some reason, has an intense desire to learn about it. If you are one of these people, then buy this book because it assumes nothing! It won't try to instill you with any ideas or suggest any sort of system in which runes can be understood. You'll be armed with a whole four paragraphs of information on germanic soul concepts and some rune poems-printed twice in the text!-that you could get off of wikipedia or anywhere on the net for free. But probably none of this would even matter to you, since you would be unfamiliar with the heathen community's scorn for non traditional material, and as such, wouldn't care whether you were avoiding the all consuming terror of non-traditional material!
If you are familiar with rune magic and its modern history, then this book is little more than a polemic against Edred Thorsson. If you know about him, then you probably know some of his ideas aren't as traditional as most heathens would like them to be-like rune yoga, the rune tree of life, etc-but why you would need to buy an entire book to have someone tell you something this obvious is beyond me. Most of the myths he addresses are ideas Thorsson has tried to propogate throughout the scene, such as dutch hex signs, the erulians, etc. I figured out Erilaz didn't mean "rune magician" with a copy of webster's dictionary and the etymologies contained therein as a 15 year old. I'm sure anyone else with half a brain could reach this conclusion on their own as well. Again, I'm not sure why an entire book needs to exist to point this crap out, especially since those parts are available for free on his website.
What you'll be getting with this book that is original are his interpretations of the rune poems. They are on average two or three sentences. You might like that, as it is certainly not the countenance of a would be cult leader. I mean, personally, Sweyn is very commendable on this point. But it just begs the question why even publish a book and sell it for sixteen dollars if all the person is really getting is about ten pages of original rune interpretations, assuming most consumers are expecting primer not to mean "Edred Thorsson violates the holy hatred of non-traditional material and I will prove it"? It would have been a lot more noble of him to print this entire livejournal entrie's worth of information for free on his website and provide a link to wikipedia.
Last, just to make my point as clear as I can, I will take out my copy and add up all the pages that aren't about modern revivals, Thorsson's bad ideas, or his personal encounter's with writers in the rune community. This, to the regular reader, should comprise the "runic primer" alluded to in the title. Survey says: 18 pages. The rest is either rune poems (again, printed twice, lol) you can find for free online or "myth busting." So, 18 pages at 19 dollars with shipping was more than a dollar per page. And even then, I'm neglecting to mention 16 of this 18 pages contain the first round of rune poems printings in the text, so I would estimate generously there is about 5 pages of spiritually useful information in this text. The rest is trivial or information that is widely available for free.
One of the few books on runes you will ever need.......2007-07-25
I know that this is supposed to be a primer just to get you "started", but this is pretty much the only book I use anymore, outside of historical books/writings such as the Poetic Edda, RI Page's anthropological study on the Runes, and Tacitus' Germania.
It is a welcome relief compared to all of the wild speculation and liberties that other writers on runes have taken with regard to their esoteric meaning, and the new edition is even nicer than the 2002 release, because it adds several sections on debunking myths as well as additional discussions. (Especially concerning whether or not there is any true evidence runes were used for divination by the Germanic people at all.)
If you need to look beyond the rune poems to get a better grasp on their meanings, this is the book to get. I've found that if the esoteric description in a book about any given rune is longer than maybe about five sentences, it's because the author is starting to make stuff up. The rune poems were 2 to 4 lines. How do people come up with three pages worth of information on what this rune supposedly means? Sweyn's descriptions are clear, concise, and written with proper historical context.
However, this book is much more than simply about the esoteric aspect of the runes. That's just a small part of a very comprehensive, plain-spoken, book about runic history. And like other people have said, it lists other recommended reading materials which are also important.
I made a set of Elder Futhark runes for a friend not too long ago. (Unsolicited gift.) She knows nothing about runes, as far as I know. I knew exactly which book to get her. This one.
I wish this had been around decades ago when I started working with the runes myself. It's much easier to learn the appropriate thing from the beginning instead of having to unlearn a whole bunch of trash.
A gem of a rune book!.......2007-04-26
This little gem of a book boast 8 Chapters but contains therein, a wealth of useful information about the fuÞark runes that is aimed at the rune novice. It contrasts strongly against many other popular New Ageist themed rune works but in doing so, "The Rune Primer" is different because it dares to directly challenge the many false and deliberately created myths surrounding the very fabric and nature of the runes. Written by an intelligent heathen author and attested with researched information, the author voices his opinions in an objective fashion as he attempts to put the record straight on so much of the misinformation existing out there today on these enigmatic symbols.
If you are caught up in the confusing dogma surrounding the runes or have no idea just why so much postmodernist nonsense came about on ancient runes and runic matters, than this book is certainly a very good starting place to separate the wheat from the chaff. A lot of misinformed ideas are given about the fuÞark runes from various sources and those who propagate such nonsense are clearly identified. This newer edition contains 175 pages of printed material, that's 90 more pages than the author's original submission "Runic Primer".
Furthermore the author benchmarks 1970s as a transitional period when the runes found a renewed interest, a sort of postmodernist renaissance of all things considered magical and in particular divinatory tools, the runes falling into this category. Key figures cited by the author in this chronology of runic contributors stemming from the 70s are JRR Tolkien, Michael Howard, Ralph Blum and off course Edred Thorsson is known as Dr. Stephen Edred Flowers. Freya Aswynn and Kveldulf Gundarsson are also discussed. I knew both of them during the early 90s, Kveldulf briefly on two occasions and at a reconstructed Seidr session I took part in with him and therefore can verify that the author's subjective observations of these two Ring of Troth characters are indeed very accurate!
This revised edition has Three Rune Poems and the Runatal, original text and new translation with notes, the Gothic Alphabet plus useful websites and a more books for further studies list. In conclusion, allow me to quote a passage from stanza 27 of Voluspo also known as The Wise-Woman's Prophecy. Here the WÖlwa turns from her memories of the past to a statement of some of Othin's own secrets in his eternal search for knowledge (stanzas 27-29)
I know of the horn of Heimdall, hidden
Under the high-reaching holy tree;
On it there pours from Valfather's pledge
A mighty stream: would you know yet more?
Read this book and you will! A boon to any new student of runes and it does what it says on the title, "A Down-to-Earth Guide to the Runes".
My heartfelt congratulations therefore goes out to Sweyn Plowright and I highly recommend this book to all those who search for truth devoid of the glossy New Ageism so prevalent runes today!
A masterwork.......2007-04-19
Sweyn,
You have done something really beautiful with this book.
I feel stripped of all assumptions, beliefs, shoulds, arbitrary laws,
dogma and faith.
I feel you've cleared a path back to what it is all about anyway - RUNA,
the not knowing, the mystery, the not seeking comfort in false answers.
for me this book is brutally skeptical AND YET this thrusts me into a
new freedom.
I really like your translations of the rune poems and I find myself
reading them every morning before heading out to work or whatever for
the day. They inspire me to reconnect with Runa in new ways.
A new creativity is invited - I'm reminded of Nietzsche's reflection on
the death of god - sailing out into infinite seas from the land - only
realise there never was any land...
Thank you so much for reworking your book. It is a masterpiece.
Oh, and I echo others' comments about R. Goodson's review. Sweyn's book offers a powerful critique of authors who pass off their personal ideas as having historical basis - the opposite of parroting them. Goodson must be very confused!
Customer Reviews:
Enchanting Call of the North.......1999-02-12
Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.
Enchanting Call of the North.......1999-02-12
Olson's use of sensory description is a powerful tool in his writing, particularly Ghost Camps of the North (an essay in Ruins of the North). Olson takes the reader on a fantastic adventure in each and every one of his essays. Not only does he take the reader to various geographical locations, but he also takes the reader back to the days of the French/ Canadian Voyageurs, and trappers. Ruins of the North contains work that traces the path the voyagers took from Montreal to Grand Portage, and into the far North The careful description of the Hunting Moon rising has a majical quality about it. Olson is a master nature/ wilderness interpreter that has given the canoeist/ camper a wealth of stories to tell. Reading an essay from Ruins of the North just before one retires at night insures a night filled with vivid dreams, and sound sleep. This can best be illistrated by the Essay The Dream Net.
Average customer rating:
- Wonderful...!
- excellent
- Sone parts are just so WRONG
- Not very Norse
- The best source of information on the subject.
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Rune Power: The Secret Knowledge of the Wise Ones (Earth Quest)
Kenneth Meadows
Manufacturer: Element Books Ltd
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ASIN: 1852307064 |
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful...!.......2002-03-20
Well,Im an scandinavian Rune Practioner,I learned Runes from
my father which is devoded Odinist,This book is wonderfull because,Its talking about Shamanistic aspects of the Runes,Yes It does have compaircement to the Native American practices,
Ofcourse after all Norseman was tribal people too once and Lapland is part of the land we still live...And similar or not,In this book also wery well explaining the uniqenes of the
Norse shamanism too.I do like Thorson's books but after you read one they all seem same to me,You will get idea when you read this book and learn the true wisdom of the runes...
excellent.......2001-10-02
This is my absolute favourite book on the subject of runes. It is clearly written, very well laid out, and very informative. I don't claim to be an expect on Norse history nor Asatru, and I don't feel I or anyone else needs to be to benefit from the runes. In response to a previous review, I would like to add that I think in mentioning Native American practices, Mr. Meadows was attempting to demonstrate the similarity of the runic system to the Native American medicine wheel. He shows the runes as more of a circle of life, a 'cyclical process', as opposed to seemingly random (at least to me) attributions. This was tremendously helpful to me in being able to see 'the big picture' of the runes. This book details a complete system and structure to the runes that makes perfect sense to me, has meaning for me, so is therefore valid TO ME. Each person must decide for him or herself what is meaningful and useful to them. No one else can define that for them. To sum it up, this is a book I never want to be without. I also recommend Freya Aswynn's 'Leaves Of Yggdrasil'.
Sone parts are just so WRONG.......2001-04-03
Every time he talked about "Native American runes" I had to laugh. There's no such thing! I'll rely on the other reviewer for what is wrong about Meadows' view of Norse runes, but for the native ones Meadows is just making it completely up. Call this book fantasy or fiction for those parts dealing with native beliefs, because he sure should not be taken for the truth there.
Not very Norse.......2000-03-05
This book is okay for someone not into Asatru or wanting to study Norse magick. The author concentrates too heavily on "tree-hugging" concepts and there is too much comparison to Oriental and Native American traditions. If you want a book on Runes from someone who knows, I suggest "Runelore" by Edred Thorsson.
The best source of information on the subject........1999-08-22
I've never written anything like a review before, but after I finished this book I searched the internet for more and ended up here. If you need anything that even resembles correct information this is the book for you. The practical exercises are very informative and it was a well written, well researched and inciteful subject. I learned the runic alphabet in a matter of minutes. And broadened my horizons dramatically. I've read other books on this subject,and this one leaves them all in the dust.
Book Description
In 1977, Stephen Donaldson changed the face of epic fantasy. With the publication of THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER, Donaldson took the world of fantasy publishing by storm, and created a true phenomenon: an epic fantasy instant bestseller that has gone on to sell millions. The 'hero', Thomas Covenant, is mysteriously struck down with a disease believed eradicated; he is abandoned by his wife and young son and becomes a pariah. Alone and despairing, Covenant falls - and is drawn into a mysterious new world, where gentle people work magic and the earth itself brings healing. He is welcomed as the reincarnation of a legendary saviour, but Covenant refuses to believe; he's convinced he's having delusions. At the end of the sixth book, as Covenant battles to save the world, he is killed - in both worlds - as Dr Linden Avery, his horrified companion, looks on. Now comes the book every fantasy reader has been waiting for. It's ten years later, and Linden Avery thought she would never see the Land, or Covenant, her beloved, again. But Lord Foul has stolen her adopted son, and is unmaking the very laws of nature. And though she believes Covenant dead, he keeps sending Linden messages: 'Find me', and 'Don't trust me'. The Land is in turmoil, and Lord Foul has plans for them all . . .
Customer Reviews:
Lightning strikes again for Donaldson.......2007-09-07
First, let me say: Bravo! Well done, Mr. Donaldson!
Next, I want to direct my comments to those readers who have never read any of the Covenant books, but are contemplating reading this book. Your main concern, undoubtedly, is, "How can I possibly enter a complex series at book seven? Won't I be so incredibly lost that it won't make any sense for me to buy this book and see what all the fuss is about Covenant?" Both questions are easily answered. Donaldson has taken extraordinary care to construct the beginning of this book in such a way that if you are entering the Covenant series at this late point, by the time you get to page 200, all that went before will be explained, and you'll (almost) feel as if you have read the first six books. He does this primarily in two ways. First, he has written a "What Has Gone Before" prelude, which succinctly wraps up the essential plots and dilemmas of the first six books into about eight pages. It is *superbly* done. Second, from almost the very beginning of the book itself, he meticulously and purposefully takes the reader back to prior events in the last two trilogies, while at the same time moving the story forward with the tremendous urgency of his past works. While someone like myself (who is probably more familiar with these books than I should be), can see what's happening as plainly as I can see that Shaquille O'Neal is a very large man, people less familiar with the work will not feel burdened or bludgeoned by what is, essentially, catching readers up. For reader like me, this will likely feel somewhat tedious as we know all of the legends of the Land. But for readers who are unfamiliar with the legends, you will find them to be like a drink from the source of a mountain spring. The stories and legends of the Land are as tantalizing, exciting, and wondrous as the story itself.
So - new readers to Covenant, feel safe. Whereas you couldn't jump into Book 7 of Jordan's Wheel of Time series, you can jump into the seventh book of this series. You will not be disappointed.
And now to the book. There is a wonderfully written 77-page "Prologue", which details the events that take place in the "real world", the events which lead to Linden and, perhaps others, to be conveyed to The Land. I read this in astonishment. I've read everything that Donaldson has ever written, and this was his best piece of writing. It was like reading Henry James. His descriptions were immaculately clear, the kind of descriptions that distinguish good writing from bad; the kind of descriptive writing that allows the reader to touch, feel, hear, see, and smell; the kind of writing that separates truly great writing from mediocre writing (which, sadly, accounts for about 90% of what's being published today, regardless of genre).
When we arrive in The Land, the threat is less clear than it was in the previous Chronicles. In the first, Lord Foul laid it out to Covenant in no uncertain terms - he was going to destroy The Land, destroy The Lords, and he stopped just short at telling him how he was going to do it, so great was his confidence. Foul's approach was distinctly Hitlerian, his tactics a blitzkrieg in every way. In the second, his attack was more insidious and subtle, but still devastating. Here he attacked nature, Earthpower; the Sunbane was a blight that all could see and feel, and the millions of readers who had fallen in love with the stunning beauty and tangible health of The Land in the First Chronicles couldn't help but to weep at the devastation. In the Last Chronicles, the threat is palpable, it is significant, and it is devastating (not to mention terribly creative). The difference is, the threat isn't only Foul. As we delve deeper into the book, and learn some of the secrets therein, we come to realize that The Land has more than one enemy, with perhaps a different agenda than Foul, and only one true defender with any estimable might: Linden Avery, The Chosen.
It is a testament to Donaldson's mastery of The Land that an entire book can be written in a series titled, "The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant", and not have Thomas Covenant in the book for more than ten seconds, and still have that book turn out to be a revelation. In other reviews of sequels, I have been critical, stating that they don't make sense - they don't follow logically from the prior book, or series. (For example, anything by Goodkind; The Mallorean by Eddings; Shannara.) I can't be similarly critical of Donaldson. His sequels follow a perfect logic flow. The Sunbane was *absolutely* what Foul would have done after spending three and half millennia licking his wounds, and while we don't know Foul's full intentions yet, the events that occur within The Runes of the Earth are exactly what they should be, considering the events of the First and Second Chronicles. Donaldson is not writing this to make money, although he is certain to make truckloads of it. He's writing this because he had a vision of how to complete the "Covenant cycle", and waited twenty-one (agonizing!) years to publish Runes because he needed to grow as a writer. Reading Runes, I understand him completely. This book placed demands on him as a writer that he has never encountered before, and the growth during the intervening years served him well.
The result is a book to be savored, reread, and added to the canon of great fantasy. If the First Chronicles were the War and Peace of fantasy literature, I wonder how this will be judged. It is superior - superior to something that is already recognized as one of the most important works of fantasy of all time.
Excellent, cant wait for the next one...but.......2005-09-11
This book is great. I didn't expect a sequel so many years coming would be as good (it didn't hurt that I reread the First and Second Chronicles). My only complaint is the same as another reviewer: not only does Mr. Donaldson seem to like to use the most complex word possible- he uses it too much (I have read/heard the work "puissant" more times in this book then I ever have or ever will again). Plus, while I know writers are supposed to be descriptive, I think ALL the chronicles are TOO descriptive. I have to fight myself to not skip ahead just to see the story move along. Those complaints are minor, though, and I look forward to the next installment. Hopefully this isn't "Robert Jordan style" making us wait years in between books.
Not great, but another good Covenant book.......2005-07-10
Over twenty years after the "last" book of The (First and Second) Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Stephen R. Donaldson is back with the first book of another ("Last") trilogy. From the author's essay, included here in Amazonland, we learn that the Second and Last Chronicles were conceived at the same time, but Donaldson did not feel ready to write the "Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" until he had become a better, and more confident, writer.
I did not know that Donaldson had ever planned to write more than the first six Covenant books, and was surprised to see the announcement of this book, especially since Thomas Covenant died at the end of Book Six. While it is true that the main character in "The Runes of the Earth" is Linden Avery, Covenant lurks in the background, disembodied, and haunts the story. And, while I will not write a spoiler here, I will give the hint that I wonder if Mr. Donaldson is a fan of Star Trek, where time-travel and resulting paradoxes is a recurrent story concept.
Is Donaldson a better writer now than when Book Six was released? I don't think so, because he was already an excellent writer when Book Six was released, and his few faults are still there. For me, those faults are a tendency to often use the most complex word possible, instead of simpler synonyms; a tendency for the characters to experience all of their emotions to the absolute extreme degree; some weak names for characters or places. The one example in this book, of the weak-name idea, is the character Liand. With "the Land" talked about so often, seeing "Liand" looks too derivative and too obviously suggestive that the character represents and symbolizes the naive goodness of the people of the Land.
Overall, I am glad that Mr. Donaldson has breathed life into the Covenant story again, and I enjoyed "The Runes of the Earth." The twist at the end -- no spoiler included -- leads me to look forward to the next book, "Fatal Revenant," with hope and enthusiasm.
Book Description
Readers learn to decipher and harness the magic of the ancient Nordic runes! Feogh symbolizes financial gain and status . . . Thorn stands for protection, defense, and caution. These and each of the runic alphabet’s many other magic symbols have special meanings all their own. Author Francis Melville presents directions for making amulets and talismans to invoke the power of Norse gods. He describes the method of conducting readings with rune stones to predict future events and bring good fortune. This heavily illustrated volume also presents the history of rune stones, the meaning of the runic alphabet, and the secret symbols attached to each meaning. Rune stones and rune sticks can be purchased from many outlets, but readers who follow the author’s instructions can make runes of their own, using any of several different natural materials, including pebbles, wood, and clay. This fascinating collection of ancient magic lore, with instructions for making and reading runes, is complemented with more than 150 vivid, full-color photos and illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Good book for the meaning of the runes.......2004-05-23
Melville explains well the meanings of the runes and what they are related to. He also gives a brief background into the Gods of the old Germanic peoples. A very well informative and well researched book. However, I think he lacks a little on the part of runecasting, runemagic, and runebinds, But there is enough there to get started if you are a beginner. Very well worth the time and money to read the book.
Average customer rating:
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ASIN: 8251918413 |
Product Description
A rune is a character from an ancient Germanic alphabet used in Scandinavia from the 3rd century to the Middle Ages; "each rune had its own magical significance". This is designed especially for women
Product Description
The latest chapter in Thomas Covenants battle against the evil Lord Foul.
Books:
- The Sacred Romance: Drawing Closer to the Heart of God
- The Team Renzo Gracie Workout: Training for Warriors
- The War for Talent
- The Waste Lands (The Dark Tower, Book 3)
- The Widow's War: A Novel
- Then We Came to the End: A Novel
- This Moment on Earth: Today's New Environmentalists and Their Vision for the Future
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Tony Hillerman: The Leaphorn & Chee Novels: Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, Coyote Waits
- Ugly Americans: The True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys Who Raided the Asian Markets for Millions
Books Index
Books Home
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- Bunny Tales: Behind Closed Doors at the Playboy Mansion
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- Elementos Para Una Teoria General de La Contabilidad
- Transdisciplinarity: Recreating Integrated Knowledge
- Peder Victorious: A Tale of the Pioneers Twenty Years Later
White Gold Wielder (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 3)
The One Tree (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 2)
The Wounded Land (The Second Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Book 1)
Lord Foul's Bane (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 1)
The Power That Preserves (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 3)
