Rating: 
Summary: Fantasy Storytelling At It's Best
Review: I'm sure I'll catch hell for it, but I rank Stephen R. Donaldson's "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever" double trilogy right up there with Tolkien's "Lord Of The Rings" work. Before you blast me for this statement, read it for yourself and then see how you feel.
Rating: 
Summary: An appalling book
Review: ...We don't much like the book, it's boring, it's turgidly written, and when is something going to happen?Writer is involved in car crash. Good, we think, is he dead now? But lo and behold, he is spirited away to a wondrous world, a world that should be wonderful, that is, if Donaldson could write. Darn, he's still alive. Not happy to be healthy and whole, he sets about to destroy beauty and youth by savagely raping a beautiful girl who comes to his aid. It all comes across as sensationalist and contrived. You stop reading, think "I'm glad I just borrowed this from the library and didn't waste money on such vacuous dross." You look at the spine of the book, yup, other readers have gone before you and stopped at exactly the same point in the book or earlier. If this sounds like your cup of tea, go for it. Not recommended for children or teens. Donaldson writes like a fingernail screeching down a blackboard. So little time, so many books to enjoy and be inspired by, this isn't one of them. Give it a miss and go get something decent instead.
Rating:
Summary: In many aspects, much better than the likes of Tolkien
Review: People who try to compare Donaldson's work with Tolkien are making a very invalid comparison. Tolkien was a master of mythology and told narrative tales in the style of Homer. There is essentially no character development in Tolkien, the power is in the tale and the world in which it develops. Donaldson builds a rich world, less complicated than Tolkien's, yet he focuses on character development and psychological tension. This is a series for those who understand truly that the greatest freedom comes from total lack of power - this is the point Thomas Covenant makes. By far the best character development of any sci-fi/fantasy series I have ever seen. Tolkien, certainly Zelazney, Goodkind, Asimov, and the rest seem trivially flat by comparison. Unlike other books in the genre, The Chronicles do not entertain with plot devices and sudden revelations, they entertain in the storytelling and the interactions of characters which makes all 6 books worth reading again and again. Those capable of understanding the power of the principles of the characters of the series will find a truly classic work. Comparitively, work such as the Foundation Series by Asimov seem uninspired. Excerpt - 'Foamfollower's question caught him wandering. "Are you a storyteller, Thomas Covenant?" Absently, he replied, "I was, once." "And you gave it up? Ah, that is as sad a tale in three words as any you might have told me. But a life without a tale is like a sea without salt. How do you live?" Covenant folded his arms across the gunwales and rested his chin on them. As the boat moved, Andelain opened constantly in front of him like a bud; but he ignored it, concentrated instead on the plaint of water past the prow. Unconsciously, he clenched his fist over his ring. "I live." "Another?" Foamfollower returned. "In two words, a story sadder than the first. Say no more - with one word you will make me weep." '
Rating: 
Summary: Not what I expexted
Review: This book was recommended to me by the local librarian in my town. She said that if I loved Tolkien I'd surely enjoy this one.
Excited, I took the book and started reading it. After reading it I also took the following two of the trilogy. Well, let me tell you. I don't think that it's even comparable to Tolkien. It has a good plot and an original world. But the leading character is a pain in the .... Christ, I had to read 1000 pages for him to at least try and use his so called unique power. I mean what else did he want to make him believe. I found it very hard to identify myself with him. After a while I kept reading only to see where the book is going to. I really couldn't understand why Thomas was so hesitant to accept so many things. I don't know, other people say the loved it. I didn't. It's something different and unique but that doesn't mean I have to like because of that. In no way comparable to Tolkien or say Robert Jordan. Like I said before, the Land is trully unique, but the leading character is insufferable.
Rating:
Summary: This is no LOTR!
Review: I tend to agree somewhat with the other reviewer who was disappointed. JRR Tolkien was a master of English literature, and his LOTR books are rich in detail to the point of obsessive.The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (or at least Lord Foul's Bane) attempts to match it with some of the nuance such as a similar map, glossary of language/terms, and the unavoidable team of questers from diverse primordial "races". However, most of the characters in Book 1 are undeveloped or at the least too similar with each other (except the giant Foamfollower and Covenant himself). What saves the book is the concept of The Land. I hope Book 2, The Illearth War is more developed. I do believe TCOTC has potential...and I will swim through at least the first 3 books, but for lovers of GREAT literature this is a awkward and repetative read.
On second thought, after making an attempt at book#2, I've noticed more of the same sloppy writing and character development. I've opted to give up on this mess. Tolkien was a master craftsman, Donaldson is a hack.
Rating: 
Summary: Tedious and Disappointing Read
Review: I read this book at the recommendation of a couple of friends, and looked forward to it. However, I was very disappointed by the experience. My main criticisms of the book are that the characters are simplistic and the plot is predictable. The main character is difficult to identify with as a reader. His attitude and actions in many cases are reprehensible and when they aren't, they're boring. It's not necessary to have a sympathetic protagonist, but if they aren't sympathetic, make them at least interesting. The rest of the characters with the exception of the giant are one-dimensional and undeveloped. The plot is unremarkable as well. It follows the tired and predictable path of many fantasy novels with the character having a secret unknown power, joining a group of cohorts on a quest agains a powerful evil, and a climactic showdown. There aren't any plot twists or surprises. However, I did find the setting and concept of the "Land" described in the book very interesting and compelling. I wish it had been developed more. One more caveat, I haven't read the successor books in the series, so perhaps they get better or make the first book more significant. It's a shame if that's the case because I won't ever read another book in this series after wasting a couple of hours on this first volume.
Rating:
Summary: Tolkein Too Would Be Enthralled
Review: Its amazing to me why the last print of this series of 6 books was in 1984. The jacket sleeve of my old 1970s edition says it all - "Comparable to Tolkein at his best". To me, there is Tolkein and Stephen Donaldson, and then everyone else. So many people have imitated Tolkein but only Donaldson has created something unique which lives in one's mind years after one has read the story. The hero is one of the most unconventional in fiction (a leper who has lost his family and shunned by his community) and the situation he finds himself in is unique (having been transported to a mysterious land, he does not believe in its existence nor his powers in it as his leprosy has been cured so long as he remains in the land). Here are some of the memorable characters : - the Bloodguard : men who swore total allegiance to their high lord, and who gave up sleep, food , drink and love for a thousand years. - SandGorgons : dragons that travel in the middle of sand storms and destroy cities with their uncontrolled ferocity - the Rhanyhyn : wondrous horses who can ride hundreds of miles without food or drink - Forestals : keepers of forests millions of years old - Lord Foul : infinitely malicious, infinitely patient. A worthy successor to Sauron - Thomas Covenant the hero : bewildered, consumed by doubt and hatred and despair , unable to believe the wedding ring on his finger holds the secret of defeating Lord Foul, for if this is true than the land is not in his imagination and his leprosy is
cured There are many many others - wizards, dwarves, giants - not cardboard cutouts from Tolkein, but imbued with their own unique characters. I fell in love with these books because like most people who read The Lord Of The Rings, one finished the last page with a deep sense of regret that Tolkein had not made the book longer. When I first read Lord Foul's Bane, it was like Tolkein had continued his work. But Donaldson has not blindly imitated. There is a "modern" flavour to the story, and a deeper exploration of the human psyche than what is in Tolkein. Please go out and buy the books - I guarantee you will end up, like me reading them all in consecutive days over a period of weeks because its impossible to stop turning the pages. The more of you that give this work a chance, the greater the probability some publisher will re-issue this magnificently imaginative work, and make Donaldson what he should be today - the greatest living fantasy writer.
Rating:
Summary: Unbeliever? Try Unbelievable.
Review: I have never had to fight my way to the end of a book like I did with this one, and by the time I turned the last page, I wasn't sure that I'd won the bout. This was literary agony. I should have never even bothered finishing it. The main character is an unlikeable, self-absorbed whiner, the writing is plodding, the overall effect is depressing. Covenant himself is the most unlikeable part of this book; when he's not feeling sorry for himself, he's behaving abominably (won't say how, it's sort of a plot point ... at least as far as a plot exists here). I don't object to anti-heroes. They're valid literary devices. But an anti-hero always manages to have at least one redeeming characteristic, and Covenant has none. Save yourself the waste of time. Go read some Eddings, Duane or Stasheff instead.
Rating: 
Summary: My love/hate way with The Unbeliever
Review: In the realm of science-fiction and fantasy one hopes to be spurred on by feelings of hope and wonder; vast dreamscapes of imaginary worlds and eager suspense as the plot unfolds. At least that is why I usually read such books, for the suspense and the subsequent suprise and joy and fullfilment derived from the outcome revealed. This is not the case with Thomas Covenant. Hope is all but dead throughout the series. Joy is unknown. I did not know that a book of this genre could deal such a crushing blow to the spirit...but it was UNIQUE! DIFFERENT! and ever so INTRIGUING. And I was rewarded for not despairing, for the conclusion of the series is worth the read. Prepare yourself for a rather arduous journey if you intend to read this trilogy. And, have a dictionary nearby...for Donaldson digs up some unused gems throughout. I don't know how this book made me better, but I'm sure it has, somehow.
Rating:
Summary: Hooked!
Review: The first time I read this book, I thought it was a little strange. It started out with a resentful man with leprosy. OK, good so far. When I got farther in I realized that he is a master of fantasy. My teacher recommended it to me and I was immediately HOOKED! Have fun reading!
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