How Covenant was 1st introduced & captivated your soul

[Ur Dead]

Read the first chros way back when the 1st paperbacks were printed. At the time we didn't know if SRD was going to write any more. Once the Secind books were printed I got my HB copies as soon as possible. That was a long wait. I was in my mid twenties when I read the first three books. Now I am waiting for these last three..

[justbcos]

I was spending a week in Zuni, New Mexico with my aunt and uncle when I was just starting high school. If you've ever been to the area, you know that there's not too much to do. My aunt and uncle had to work during the day, so I just bummed around the house. No TV, no computer, no anything, really -- just a stereo and a trilogy of books that my uncle recommend that I give a read.

I got through the first chronicles by the end of the week, and I took the second chronicles home. (I will confess that I even bought a white gold ring from one of the local jewelery-makers before leaving.) I thought that the Land was an amazing place and that the inhabitants were fascinating. Thomas Covenant seemed like an intriguing character with potential, and I was itching to really see what happened when the white magic was released.

When I started the second chronicles,,, I was pissed. I hated what Donaldson had done to the Land and the people. I hated how vile and evil everything seemed. I hated that the Lords and Bloodguard were gone. I plodded through all three books, but I didn't leave the second chronicles with the awe that I had for the first ones.

After letting about 6 years pass, I decided to re-read both chronicles. The first set was great even on the second read. What surprised me, though, was that I really appreciated the second chronicles on the second read. They were very moving, and I'll admit even getting choked up at some scenes. I guess that I had gotten over the shock of what had happened to the Land (and realized that that was likely SRD's intent to make the reader upset) and was able to read the story for what it was.

Anyhow, the second chronicles have become my favorites, for now at least. Perhaps the third chronicles will usurp the position, though. Or maybe the first ones will sneak back in. If it takes 2 or 3 years for each book to come out, I might just have to reread all the books to lead up to each new publication. I'll keep you posted on what stays in the lead. heh heh heh

[Counselor]

9 years? We 20-year folk wish we were so lucky. We're just hoping SRD finishes TLCTC before we hit Andelain.

[spacemonkey]

Man, am I the only one with a 10,000 year lifespan here? Some of us here seem to quail at the thought of getting older,myself,I'm looking forward to the next 9076 years!

[V]

I have been an avid reader of everything and anything since before I could walk and before I discovered the Chronicles I had read all the classics; Enid Blyton, Dickens, Bronte, Austin, Wells, Plato, Homa, Asimov, Bova etc., not to mention numerous books on world history, astronomy, physics, archeology etc., I just devoured books.

So you will understand when I say that I knew I had found the greatest author in the world after finishing the first book of the first Chronicles.

I had a favourite habit of having a long hot bath just before bed, where I could relax for 30 mins in perfect peace and quiet and read. At approx 10.30pm I settled down to start Lord Fouls Bane. It was as if I had been sucked into the Land bodily because everything else ceased to exist for me.

As I closed the book marvelling at the experience and feeling a deperate urge to immediately start the second book I realised I was still in the bath and that the water was so cold it was leeching the heat out of my body.

I got out and spent the next 20mins sitting in front of an electric fan heater until my teeth stopped chattering. It was 6.30am. I'm just glad that at that time I only had the first book. If the one book trilogy issue had been out, I may have died of exposure without even realising it.

All the other books have been just as engrossing (I never read one again whilst in the bath!). Despite the warning of the first time however, I have started reading in the evening only to find I've sat up all night when I finish the book in the early hours.

I read all 6 books at least once a year, because the emotional experience is unparalled. I still read everything I can get my hands on and have over 4,000 books at home - many of which I read more than once. Some people have Spring and Autumn Wardrobes, me I have Seasonal Libraries which are brought down from and put away in the loft twice a year.

BUT I HAVE NEVER READ ANYTHING WITH THE POWER OF THE CHRONICLES AND I DOUBT I EVER WILL.

[Waddley]

Welcome to the forum, V! (You know, I have that whole "v" monologue memorized... I kinda dig the movie. I wanted to be V for halloween, but I don't think I have the right voice for it... well, that and I really wanted my current costume. Anyway, point at hand..)

I completely understand what you mean about the emotional experiance with the Chronicles. Now, what you need to do is read Donaldson's Gap Cycle. (if you haven't already) Personally, it hit me 10 times harder than Covenant ever did, and many people on this forum think it's better than Covenant.

Anyway, sorry about the Gap PSA. I really can't help myself

Welcome to the forum again, V, and I hope that you have a lovely time! Check out the 'Tank. It's a happy place.

[paul.mac]

I was wondering through WH Smith's in Luton, I thought it was when I was unemployed but the printers date in the book says it was when I was in employment, so I must have been on holiday. I was drawn by the phrase 'Comparible to Tolkien at his best', pah I thought that's just a line to draw in poor suckers and make them buy the book, so I did. 2 days later I was back buying the rest of the trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed the series and recommended it to everyone I knew. It was better than Tolkien, the story and the imagery was amazing, the best books I'd ever read. A few years later driving through Dunstable I nearly crashed my car as I caught site of a poster in the Book Castle window using the same artwork format as the first trilogy. 'The waiting is over' it said - I knew it had to be more TC books. The next day I went out and bought the book and the remaining 2 from the second trilogy as they became available. I was dissappointed with the 2nd book in the second series (TOT) but upon reflection I think SD down played the story deliberately to make the climax of the last book all the better. My wife says my character changes when I read the books and am doing so again after quite a few years gap. I still think they are an amazing story. LFB was a bit dissappointing this time round, don't know why but the other 2 where just as fresh and exciting to read as they were nearly 30 years ago. I'm currently 1/3rd of the way through TWL and looking forward to re-reading the rest of the second trilogy.

Bit dissappointed with the Last Runes, but I'm looking forward to the rest of the story. I still recommend the series to anybody who likes fantasy novels. I still think after all this time that they are probably the best fastasy series I have ever read and although my papaerback first edition is falling apart I'll probably read it several more times in the coming years.

My youngest daughter is an avid fantasy reader I keep suggesting the series to her but she doesn't seem to want to pick them up - can't be good if her old man recommends it - but if its still in print after nearly 30 years it can't be bad.

Glad to see there is a forum devoted to the series.

[Sunbeam]

I was first introduced to the Chronicals from a good friend I work with. I started reading this spring 2006, and have completed them, ending in the last, Runes of the Earth. I was capitvated from the very beginning. I am not what you call a reader, music is my first love. Since I had no other books to compare this one to , I was intrigued with the story, the writing and the interest that has been obtained from so many interesting people. I can't wait to return to the Chronicles. I plan on reading all over again, just can't get enough of SRD.

[drew]

WOW. First time through and read all seven in one sitting.
I can only guess how fantastic that must be.

But now it's going to be torutre for you to wait for the next book to come out.

PS-Welcome to the Watch.

[dlbpharmd]

I was first introduced to the Chronicals from a good friend I work with. I started reading this spring 2006, and have completed them, ending in the last, Runes of the Earth. I was capitvated from the very beginning. I am not what you call a reader, music is my first love. Since I had no other books to compare this one to , I was intrigued with the story, the writing and the interest that has been obtained from so many interesting people. I can't wait to return to the Chronicles. I plan on reading all over again, just can't get enough of SRD.

Hi and Welcome to the Watch!

I'm the guilty person who loaned the books to Sunbeam, and it's been great watching her devour the Chronicles. I wouldn't let her join here until she finished everything through ROTE, and now that she has, I'm turning her loose.

Enjoy your time here, and be true!

[Avatar]

Welcome to the Watch everybody. Good to have you aboard.

(Time will tell if we're to curse you or thank you Dlb. )

--A

[Loredoctor]

I was first introduced to the Chronicals from a good friend I work with. I started reading this spring 2006, and have completed them, ending in the last, Runes of the Earth. I was capitvated from the very beginning. I am not what you call a reader, music is my first love. Since I had no other books to compare this one to , I was intrigued with the story, the writing and the interest that has been obtained from so many interesting people. I can't wait to return to the Chronicles. I plan on reading all over again, just can't get enough of SRD.

Welcome to the watch, Sunbeam!

[tjtull]

I was first introduced to SRD when I was a sophomore in high school (1979). I had to do a book report and found The Power That Preserves in the school library. I read the book without getting a lot out of it (read it too quickly but knew there was more to it that I wasn't grasping).

Over the past 27 years I told myself time and time again that I'd get the entire series and read it all. About two months ago I bought the first chronicles and I'm now about to finish up The Illearth War.

Glad I came back to these books and very glad I found this place on the web.

[paradox]

The only way my University would replace my borrower's card for free was if it was already maxed. I tried to find the longest series available in the fiction section. Ended up with LFB... and the rest is destiny...

[Silverleaf]

1983

I was on an 8 hour delay at an airport in Chicago, so I wandered into this very nice book shop a few blocks away and started perusing anything fantasy. The woman there asked me what I was into and when I told her, she mentioned Piers Anthony.

In later years, I read his masterwork, the Incarnate series - with "Being a Green Mother", but on this day I walked around to the end case, and saw a series of books, all with very nice covers. Picked up The One Tree first, read the back and saw it wasn't #1. Read 2 pages of LFB and decided to buy the entire series - minus WGW (which hadn't come out yet.

On the plane, I read LFB in about 3 hours, and was utterly amazed and pleased that such a series existed. The rest is history...

Cheers,

[Hami]

My friend Ramen told me about the books some years ago but i found it difficult to read in English..only read the first pages..

then in Oktober or so i entered the book shop looking for "something" to read
i think i wouldnt have mentioned the TC books if there had not been this *lookinglikeamaleelf* man in front of them

well i bought it read ist then the next and when i ended it the "runes " were publushed in german and i could go on reading.

i am reading everything again at the moment for there a so many details i cant remember

i never thought that there could be a story after "Lord of the rings"books and films impressing me so deep

i am looking forward to the time since 2014

[dANdeLION]

Let's see, I was in high school when I first read the 1st Chrons, about 26 years ago. I got the 2nd Chrons as they came out. I can't say TC captivated me, more like the Land captivated me, and TC at first interested me, then sickened me, then TC justified the Land's faith in him enough for me to accept him. I didn't really actually like him until he started loving Linden, of all things. I guess I was tired of his cowardice when it came to loving things openly. When I was in my early 30's, I realized that a lot of the things I dislikedTC for were actually the things I despised in myself. It was a real "woah" moment for me. Now I just sit back and let SRD tell me more about myself in his brilliant fashion.

[Ramen]

1978 or 79 I made a journey with my sister to Munich, where I found this wonderful book-shop Hugendubel. I searched something fantasy-like in english (as I had just before finished LotR, the Hobbit and the Silmarillion). Starting with LFB I forgot all time, so that my sister found me hours later sitting in the cafeteria of this shop.
I can´t say, TC captured my soul until the the second or third book, it was the land itself and other characters (as mostly Foamfollower .

[covenantparadox]

The truth is that a close friend who I used to party with was in to fantasy and knew I was captivated by LOTR so he recomended it to me back in the late 70's early 80's. I thought he was crazy! It took some convincing to get me to read the first book. I mean a rapist as a hero - really! Well, I found my way past the preconcieved notions and TC/ SRD became truely pivotal influences for me.

So, here I am.