How old were you when you first read Covenant,

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Kinslaughterer
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Post by Kinslaughterer »

I was 12. I found a copy of the Illearth War at a flea market and was interested with the cover. I opened it saw the glossary with all these fantastic names and places and loved it immediately. I think it cost me fifty cents. Not a bad deal at all.
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Post by Guest »

Kinslaughterer wrote:I was 12. I found a copy of the Illearth War at a flea market and was interested with the cover. I opened it saw the glossary with all these fantastic names and places and loved it immediately. I think it cost me fifty cents. Not a bad deal at all.
that's like $0.00095 per page....not a bad deal for like one of the best books ever! :P
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Post by Vorkosigan »

I was 15, and it was sheer luck that I happened onto the series. I was in my high school library and was in a hurry. I grabbed the first book my eyes landed on and checked it out--no reason I could have forseen. It was Lord Foul's Bane. The copies I bought of the series at the local used bookstore are now falling apart... but I hate to give them up. I've had them 13 years.

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Post by Hellfire »

I started reading LFB in 2000 I think- so I was 22 and I just finished WGW a month ago.
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Post by Davin »

I was twelve. Bought it during a family vacation to New Hampshire and annoyed my mother because I spent more time reading than "vacationing". :) Funny thing is, I had to buy the entire series, and any other fantasy book I wanted to read, because our local library considered all of that "adult" material that could only be checked out by those that were 18 or older. Waldenbooks... corruptor of youth. :)

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BeTrueUnbeliever
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Post by BeTrueUnbeliever »

Hello all,

The first time I discovered TCTC was last December and I was 14. My dad and I were at a local Borders waiting to go see The Two Towers. I had read Tolkien, and loved every bit of course and my dad had read TCTC when he was in college. He said to me, "If you loved The Lord of the Rings, you'll love these books." Sure enough, he was right as always. I'm 15 now, a huge fan of fantasy, and I don't believe I was or am too young. I'm sure as I will re-read them over the next years, I'll see things I'd forgotten or overlooked, but I can honestly say that these emotions and feelings are so incredibly intense and powerfully described that its hard to overlook or misunderstand. I don't believe in "set ages" for books or anything of the sort. I am a huge fan of "dark" things or depressing things, so you can imagine that I was hooked on TCTC. Well, keep reading everyone, keep reading and loving the Land. *waves* Later!
~Be true, Unbeliever~

"Believe me, it's easier to just burn the world down, reduce it to innocent or clean or at least dead ash. Which may be what I'm doing." -Thomas Covenant [TPTP pg. 130]
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Post by Skyweir »

hello betrueunbeliever .. i am in awe and a little envious of those who experience TCTC so early in life .. i cannot imagine appreciating TCTC as a youth .. i think i was never that mature .. and am overwhelmed by the love readers so young have for this series .. It is a brilliant work 'B'!

we are very glad to have you at the Watch ..

I was introduced to TCTC only a few years ago .. as an adult .. and like you I loved them so much I like you went in search for more .. and found this great site ..

I am often hesistant to introduce the books to teenagers .. but recently a friend of mine who is nearly 18 came over .. and we talked about stuff and I gave her LFB .. and she is loving it ..

her brother who is now 15 read only LFB a couple of years ago .. and also loved it but said he didnt really understand it all .. so he didnt go on ..

i guess its an individual thing ..

we are honoured to have you among us 'B'
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BeTrueUnbeliever
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Post by BeTrueUnbeliever »

Thanks, Skyweir. I am glad to be among people who share as much passion about TCTC as myself. Where I am, I only know of 2 people who've even heard of TCTC. 'Tis reassuring to know there are more of us out there.
~Be true, Unbeliever~

"Believe me, it's easier to just burn the world down, reduce it to innocent or clean or at least dead ash. Which may be what I'm doing." -Thomas Covenant [TPTP pg. 130]
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Post by Lord Callindrill »

I first read LFB at age 14 and became enamoured of it immediately. At that age, most of the darker and deeper emotional struggles within the various characters failed to sink in. I'd be inclined to agree with those who feel that this might be a bit of an advantage in the long run. Your initial uncomplicated love for The Land and its beauty is what keeps you coming back as an adult to fully learn to appreciate the rest of the story and to deal with the (sometimes disquieting) emotions that are dredged up inside you.
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Post by CovenantJr »

I was sixteen when I started reading the chronicles for the first time, and I don't think my age detracted from my experience. When I originally got to the end, I didn't think I could read them again, because it felt more like an experience than a book or books...
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Furls Fire
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Post by Furls Fire »

I was in high school back in '77 when I read the first set. I had completed LOTR and was looking for something "like" it. I found the Chronicles. I was enthralled from the start. Covenant was unlike any "hero" I have ever read. His struggles and bitterness and his insistant disbelief had me raging at him, but loving him at the same time. It takes a special author to be able to do that...make the reader love and hate the "hero" at the same time. And even forgive him (raping Lena). The Land itself, all it's Earthpower and treasures (Andelain, Ranyhyn, Giants, etc) simply enveloped me..I wanted to live there. Now, after all these years, and after re-reading more times then I can count, I still find little things new in them. Altho, The One Tree still leaves me feeling depressed. Of all of them, that was the hardest to get through.

I'm looking forward to the new Chronicles, wish we didn't have to wait so long, but I am sure the wait will be worth it. Oh, and Covenant better have a major role in them...without him, it would not be the same, at least for me. He is my favorite leper afterall. :)
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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Post by AHopper »

Helllo everyone first of all

I was 14 when I first read Donaldson and yes I was definitely too young to enjoy it. But Now I am 19 I re-read The Covenant Chronicles and they are tanfastic
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Post by CovenantJr »

Welcome, AHopper! :D
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Foamfollower1013
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Post by Foamfollower1013 »

I first read TCTC about a year and a half ago...I must've been about 15. I was completely caught up in the books. SRD is wonderful at conveying just about any emotion possible, and at making the reader feel all those emotions. Just ask MsMary...I would talk to the book, even yell at the book, and at one point I actually threw the book across the room. I don't think my age detracted from the experience at all, but I'll get back to you in ten years if my opinion on the matter changes. :P

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Post by Fist and Faith »

Foamfollower1013 wrote:I don't think my age detracted from the experience at all, but I'll get back to you in ten years if my opinion on the matter changes. :P
We'll just wait here then. :)
All lies and jest
Still a man hears what he wants to hear
And disregards the rest
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Furls Fire
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Post by Furls Fire »

Well, I was very young at my first read of it as well. Over the years, I have "grown" to appreciate it more and more. I remember thinking after reading LFB for the first time. "wow, this Covenant guy is nothing like Frodo or Aragorn...." I was 16 or 17 when I first got these. Now, I'm almost 40, have read them all at least 10 to 15 times (I lost count). And, I still say that. Altho, I understand Covenant so much better now. He's an amazing character. It takes a special writer to get you to love, hate, empathize, curse, groan at, and grieve for a character...all at the same time.

Keep reading Foamy, I garauntee the more you read them...the more you will get out of them :)

Peace,
Furls Fire
And I believe in you
altho you never asked me too
I will remember you
and what life put you thru.


~fly fly little wing, fly where only angels sing~

~this world was never meant for one as beautiful as you~

...for then I could fly away and be at rest. Sweet rest, Mom. We all love and miss you.

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Ylva Kresh
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Post by Ylva Kresh »

Bump
SLATFATF...
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hierachy
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Post by hierachy »

heh, heh..... bump is a funny word
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Post by dANdeLION »

Ahh memory. I think I must have been a junior in high school, because I read the second chronicles as they were published, and I had already read the first chronicles prior to that. Hier, I'm glad you found your way.
Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion


I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.


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dANdeLION
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Post by dANdeLION »

I do not think I was too young the first time I read it. But, I do notice how I can better understand the motivations of the characters now that I am closer to their age. Now, as for Bugs Bunny; I feel you must be an adult to understand THAT. :screwy:
Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion


I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.


High priest of THOOOTP

:hobbes: *

* This post carries Jay's seal of approval
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