Kevin's Watch

Nonsense, start posting and you'll soon get over it. We were all new once...and look at us now...

--A

Hi all! Chaplainchris here, first read the Chronicles in about 6th grade, mid-1980s. I took Lord Foul's Bane on a family trip to my grandparents one Christmas, was enthralled, got to the rape scene and was so appalled that I stopped reading, and for some reason stuck the book under my grandparents freezer in their basement. I left it there, never intending to finish it. I'd never read anything so awful, esp. from the "hero."

Then, of course, I couldn't stop wondering what was going to happen to the Land, and I retrieved it several months later on another trip to the grandparents. I've been a huge fan ever since.

Donaldson's vivid descriptions are great, and his characters and the Land itself are so enthralling - so brave and courageous, usually so tortured, but so real and powerful. The story itself, and its themes, get deeper each time I read it, and continues to resonate with me.

So, that's me. I love both the first and second chronicles. I was originally very disappointed with Runes of the Earth, and found it very unbelievable and kind of sci-fi -ish, with the time travelling and all. (Not that sci-fi is bad, but it didn't fit with the Land.) But I reread it in preparation for Fatal Revenant, and discovered that I really, really like it after all, as I do Fatal Revenant. CAN'T WAIT FOR AGAINST ALL THINGS ENDING! Which is why I joined the forum, finally, after lurking periodically over the years - I want to participate in the closed forum for folks who've read ch. 1 of AATE!

So, big Covenant fan. I also really, really like Mordant's Need. Not quite as profound, but not so disturbing either, and still really inspiring. "I have always believed that problems should be solved by those who see them" has had a lasting impact on me since I first read it, and on my ministry.

FWIW, I've not read the Gap series. I tried the first one a couple of times and could never get into it. It felt...dirty and depressing, rather than inspiring. Or is that just me?

Welcome, chaplainchris! No, you're not the first person to have trouble getting through the Gap series. I read them all -- once. Once was plenty. Altho others here love them. I can't explain it.

just saying howdy folks

Hello and welcome, Toddler!
Nice to have someone my age show up...

Be Welcome to the Watch, Toddler.
Be Well Come and True.

Welcome to the Watch Toodler and ChaplainChris. Personally, I think the Gap series is the best writing SRD has ever done. Brutal, yes. But definitely inspired.

--A

Welcome to all! I agree with Avatar (not for the first time ) - the Gap is my favourite SRD series.

Hello and Welcome Chaplainchris and Toddler

There's a nice steady trickle of new members here isnt there?

Many years ago, I thought I'd come off 2nd by swapping my Anne McCaffrey Dragon books for the first 3 TC books and had a similar reaction about the hero (I wanted him to get his come-uppance). However I quickly developed a fascination of all the Land's characters and am the richer for it.

I started the Gap books well over 15 years ago and really enjoyed 'The Gap into'... Conflict. 15 years later and I'm 90% of the way through ... Power after 2 or 3 re-starts. I am savouring them

Ack!

Looks like my orange dot tree skipped over chaplainchris' intro. I definitely didn't mean to slight you there, cc.

Be Welcome to the Watch, chaplainchris.
Be Well Come and True.

Thanks for the welcomes, Menolly (great name - I'm a musician and loved the Harper Hall!), Mick, Stevie G., Aliantha (one of the best things in the Land!), Avatar.

Thanks for the info on The Gap series, all. Maybe one day, when I'm braver...right now I'm scared enough of the torment awaiting in AATE and TLD. (And anxious as anything to read 'em, of course!)

chaplainchris wrote:Thanks for the welcomes,

You're very welcome!

chaplainchris wrote:Menolly (great name - I'm a musician and loved the Harper Hall!)

Thank you!

If you are a musician and haven't discovered the Vespers forum here on the Watch yet, I hope you make your way over there soon.

I'll look forward to your posts.

Hi,

I finally answered the summons. Back in 1978 I bought the first 3 TC books and was immediately hooked.
Us Brits are part of the Land, too, you know.

Greetings webbo! We've got a bunch of Brits here, you'll fit right in.

hi to all i missed saying hi to before.

Based on fantasy sales these days, I'd say Brits are more in the Land than Americans are.... Welcome, webbo.

Be Welcome to the Watch, webbo.
Be Well Come and True.

Welcome, webbo, chaplainchris, Toddler, and all the newbies! It's always a pleasure to see new perspectives!

Hi All,

New to the site, but not to Mr Donaldson. One of my dearest childhood memories is my Grandmother reading me the description of the Ranyhyn when I was a wee nipper of 8 or so!

Looking forward to random debates, as when I've tried to convince my friends to read the Chronicles or even the Gap series they've taken one look a t the size of them and run away screaming! lol

Be Welcome to the Watch, wilkomorph.
Be Well Come and True.

The only "wilko" I can think of offhand is amateur radio lingo. Are you involved with that?