has anyone here actually read the Last Dark?

Book 4 of the Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

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renny
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Post by renny »

Omg!

Is it a worthy finale?

How many marks out of 5?
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Post by Creator »

hmmmm 4 out of 5. I liked the pace. I like how elements were resolved. I liked the ending - but can't wait to hear our group describe other "endings" that felt the same.

Also, there is one scene in the climactic battle with Foul - we knew there would be one - that made me LAUGH!!

Finally,
Spoiler
not EVERYTHING is answered ... and while this is the Last Chronicles of Thomas Convenant the Unbeliever, I will be interested what people think of this being the last work in the "universe" SRD has set up!
He/She who dies with the most toys wins! Wait a minute ... I can't die!!!
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Post by Hiro »

Creator wrote:hmmmm 4 out of 5. I liked the pace. I like how elements were resolved. I liked the ending - but can't wait to hear our group describe other "endings" that felt the same.

Also, there is one scene in the climactic battle with Foul - we knew there would be one - that made me LAUGH!!

Finally,
Spoiler
not EVERYTHING is answered ... and while this is the Last Chronicles of Thomas Convenant the Unbeliever, I will be interested what people think of this being the last work in the "universe" SRD has set up!
How do you rate TLD as compared to the other books in the Last Chron's?
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Post by renny »

Endings that felt the same.

Not sure I like the sound of that.

Feeling a real sense of dread
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Post by peter »

4 out of 5 reads as 'was not up to speed so can't give it 5. Should have been 3 but that seems a bit tight so will go for 4'. The book will clearly not satisfy those of us who are already disatisfied with the final series; for those who are it will be a passable ending, neither world shattering or completely dissapointing. This is as I would have expected. As I've said before, it was the journey that was the star, not the end point.
President of Peace? You fucking idiots!

"I know what America is. America is a thing that you can move very easily. Move it in the right direction. They won't get in the way." (Benjamin Netenyahu 2001.)

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

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Post by Creator »

I think that is a VERY good summary!
Spoiler
There was a little deus ex machina -- but he has done that with the insequent and it was done amusingly enough that I didn't mind.
The largest personal annoyance is that he hasn't really explained the physics ... or metaphysics ... of his universe. So those of us who wanted a reconcilement of "Creator" vs. the "Worm" won't be satisfied. I haven't spoilered this, because SRD has already told us that such reconcilement or precise "world building" is not important to him. He feels comfortable in the contradictions! ;)
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Post by starkllr »

I finished it yesterday, and I'm not sure what I think. I don't think I can say much even generally without spoiling things.

I have a lot of issues with the Last Chronicles, in general, TLD included, but I'd rate it as my favorite of the four books, for whatever that's worth.
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Post by renny »

Ah.

That sounds a bit more hopeful.

Some of FR and AATE is really good IMVHO and worthy
Of the chronicles as a whole.

That's all I want really is a worthy ending.
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Linden

Post by madship »

I have just started and to no surprise,
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by the end of the first chapter Jeremiah doesn't want to talk to his mother anymore.
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Post by Savor Dam »

Spoiler
Teenagers. What did you expect? :roll:
Keep reading. You ain't seen nothing yet...
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Post by Mighara Sovmadhi »

Haha, I should not keep reading new posts in this thread. The young-boy-who-skipped-to-the-ends-of-books is trying to come out of me and read the redacted text!
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Post by peter »

:) I nearly posted (well, in fact I did, but removed it) a begging post for someone to lend me an arc. Didn't seem fair on peeps who had sprung big time in order to sate their unrestrained impatience. (mine being equally unrestrained of course, but just welded to a mean streak as wide as the freeway!)
President of Peace? You fucking idiots!

"I know what America is. America is a thing that you can move very easily. Move it in the right direction. They won't get in the way." (Benjamin Netenyahu 2001.)

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard
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Post by Akasri »

kevinswatch.ihugny.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23524

An ARC is floating around here... hopefully it will continue to be passed down the list? *begs* *pleads*
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Post by Savor Dam »

Fear not. It will be passed on, once Menolly and I have read it. I hit the halfway point last night.
Love prevails.
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Change is not a process for the impatient.
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Post by peter »

(Peter squats on his haunches ala dog in begging mode, all scraps of dignity lost!)
President of Peace? You fucking idiots!

"I know what America is. America is a thing that you can move very easily. Move it in the right direction. They won't get in the way." (Benjamin Netenyahu 2001.)

....and the glory of the world becomes less than it was....
'Have we not served you well'
'Of course - you know you have.'
'Then let it end.'

We are the Bloodguard
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Savor Dam
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Post by Savor Dam »

Finished TLD over the weekend and passed it to Menolly. She let me know a few minutes ago of a major event she had just read that tells me she is reading at a good clip, but has still much to read.

I've been asked in other threads for a rating. Can't quantify a rating. Agree with the assessments given above by Creator and starkllr (who is the source of the ARC I read), to which I will add that my frequently-expressed faith in SRD is justified.
Love prevails.
~ Tracie Mckinney-Hammon

Change is not a process for the impatient.
~ Barbara Reinhold

Courage!
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Post by Hiro »

Savor Dam wrote:Finished TLD over the weekend and passed it to Menolly. She let me know a few minutes ago of a major event she had just read that tells me she is reading at a good clip, but has still much to read.

I've been asked in other threads for a rating. Can't quantify a rating. Agree with the assessments given above by Creator and starkllr (who is the source of the ARC I read), to which I will add that my frequently-expressed faith in SRD is justified.
Alright then. Now, how about some spoilers...

or an ARC.

:biggrin:
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Post by Savor Dam »

Admittedly, those who read ARCs of AATE provided lots of spoilers in the hidden preview thread four years ago.

There seems to be a different vibe going on this time. Creator, starkllr and other ARC readers have been quite circumspect, saying only that they've liked it, have reserved their opinion, or shared minor non-spoiling details like the fact that the Giants shared a risqué joke.

I am following that lead. No spoilers here. I absolutely encourage you to read this book...but I am not sharing what happens. RAFO!

As for an ARC, I fully intend to pass forward the ARC I received from starkllr once Menolly has finished it. The mechanism is not yet certain. I may emulate starkllr's lottery method...but there may be another method used. Win Wayfriend's Money is another model that really appeals to me...but I do not necessarily want to weight the odds in favor of those like Wayfriend and myself who have semi-comprehensive Chrons knowledge. This is for the fans, not just the scholars.
Love prevails.
~ Tracie Mckinney-Hammon

Change is not a process for the impatient.
~ Barbara Reinhold

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~ Dan Rather
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Post by madship »

I have only a few chapters left. So far I have enjoyed it much more than AATE. I read through the first part the day I received my copy. But have been rationing myself in the final part. It is the end, I want to make it last.

IMO, AATE could have been condensed into a few chapters split between FR and TLD.
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Post by rdhopeca »

Savor Dam wrote:Admittedly, those who read ARCs of AATE provided lots of spoilers in the hidden preview thread four years ago.

There seems to be a different vibe going on this time. Creator, starkllr and other ARC readers have been quite circumspect, saying only that they've liked it, have reserved their opinion, or shared minor non-spoiling details like the fact that the Giants shared a risqué joke.

I am following that lead. No spoilers here. I absolutely encourage you to read this book...but I am not sharing what happens. RAFO!

As for an ARC, I fully intend to pass forward the ARC I received from starkllr once Menolly has finished it. The mechanism is not yet certain. I may emulate starkllr's lottery method...but there may be another method used. Win Wayfriend's Money is another model that really appeals to me...but I do not necessarily want to weight the odds in favor of those like Wayfriend and myself who have semi-comprehensive Chrons knowledge. This is for the fans, not just the scholars.
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