Kevin's Watch

Maybe we should have a thread in the FR area on Linden bad choices and see if they really are.

Sign me up for ROIFLA too. Definitely less frustrating than Covenant!! Man I wanted to rip his lips off for a while there. Still, she definitely retains a lot of his stubbornness. I wish I could be so decisive.

Originally, I didn't mind Linden. I gradually developed a dislike for her, which got stronger as the second chrons progressed. Now I just want her to disappear so I never have to hear about her again. THOOLAH shall remain close to my heart, at least until Linden's demise.

<sheds tear>

That was beautiful, Auleliel.

Thanks, dlbpharmd. I try.

I don't know if I completely like Linden Avery, but I understand her.

I haven't read FR yet, though.

Hmm... well, I like Linden in that I do not wish her any specific harm...and as Ur-Dead pointed out, there wouldn't be a last chronicles without her...

[mod edit - FR spoiler removed]

How could you hate Linden..she is as much of the story as TC, if you love TC then respect his love or beloved

Does this mean she succeeded where TC failed? An anti hero shouldn't be liked.

shadowbinding shoe wrote:Does this mean she succeeded where TC failed? An anti hero shouldn't be liked.

A point well made, my good sir, a point well made...

Although incorrect. Many anti-heroes are likable. Ever watch the Sopranos?

Many anti-heroes are likable.

Totally!! The best anti-heroes, you like in spite of yourself.

Like Jezebel in the Bible. A horrible, murdering, manipulating witch, but the old broad had style. When she knew the jig was up, she put on her makeup before facing the mob.

I'd like her more if she replaced Robert Jordan as my practice rocket launcher target.

Hmm...I apparently voted in the poll but never posted in the thread.

I have always and still find Linden whiny and annoying.

That's just the way it is.

I have always and still find Linden whiny and annoying.

Can you quote a place where Linden actually whines??

I can see how one might find her annoying. But she needs that hardness to make the decisions she has to make. She can't always take care of everyone's opinions of her (especially the Haruchai, who are always on her case). Likeability was never Covenant's strong suit either.

What I find so annoying about Linden is that she's a basket case and she seems to look for any reason to argue with Covenant. When she's mentally or physically paralyzed and curls up in a ball it's irritating and frustrating. I'm well aware of the issues regarding her tortured past and I do have some sympathy for her. I know that since she was able to heal the Land at the end of WGW she's gained a confidence and clarity of mind and purpose the makes her far more palatable. However thus far within the context of the Last Chrons Linden has

Spoiler

performed acts of tremendous import and power that she has no training or background to justify. Her access to her abilities comes too easily (IMHO). She still makes illogical and baffling decisions. If Foul or some other super being is behind Linden's new found, unearned power then the story makes much more sense.

I really like strong, female characters, I've written a couple myself, but Linden (as SRD has created her) is just not what or who I got into the Chronicles for in the first place. Covenant is a butt hole but somehow SRD crafted the man to be someone that somehow commands your attention and respect in spite of his crimes. Linden on the other hand doesn't seem to resonate with me in any positive way. I don't like spending time with her so the parts of the story that occur from her point of view are difficult to navigate for me.
BTW I do not mean to criticize any of you who genuinely like the character with my dislike. I liked Lord Calindrill maybe some of you didn't. It's all a matter of taste.

aTOMiC wrote:Covenant is a butt hole but somehow SRD crafted the man to be someone that somehow commands your attention and respect in spite of his crimes. Linden on the other hand doesn't seem to resonate with me in any positive way. I don't like spending time with her so the parts of the story that occur from her point of view are difficult to navigate for me.

Good posting, I agree.
I've been rereading the 1st and the 2nd Chronicles and TC's absence from the 3rd is a painful loss.
If he doesn't make up for it in a *BIG* way I'm going to demand/bitch that they should remove the name "Thomas Covenent" from the title because so far it has nothing to do with him.

Unless it's his dream, in which case it's all good!

Why do people keep expecting Thomas to somehow jump out of the woodwork and take the lead role? Sure the chronicle is named after him but that's because it's the third trilogy in a series called, not the Chronicles of the Land, not the chorincles of the White gold ring, and not the Chronicles of Lord of the Creche but the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant.

Was the Second chronicle about Thomas Covenant? Sure there was some Thomas Covenant in it but Linden's place was just as central if not more central than his. And yet it was not called the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery (or the Ch. of Thomas and Linden Covenant if you want to be cheesy).

Series' naming is not very flexible. Naming the series after Thomas Covenant means nothing. And yet we have Donaldson himself trying to justify the name with many a winks and hints. He knows his readers want to sniff some of that good LSD, I mean, TC stuff.

Covenant will probably have some role eventually in the series but it's obvious to me that this is Linden's story, not Thomas'. Meanwhile I'm starting to get annoyed at the tantalizing little peaks we get out of him.

Withholding judgment on this point is recommended until you finish Runes of the Earth....

BIG TIME SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T:

Spoiler

...when in the most unabashedly exhilarating moments of the entire series, TC rides in with Jeremiah, who is apparently healed!!:D