Linden Avery/Thomas Covenant/Liking and Hating Them

[Rukh]

I am far more inclined to approve of Linden now, than when I read the 2nd chronicles. Honestly, I have not heard a good criticism of her on this site. I mean, some of you have mentioned her being too intropsective, or being a coward, but I think both of these are way off. The comment about here "taking a nap" when the Demondim were imminent was unfair. The Demondim had withdrawn and were not directly attacking Revelstone. Even Lord Mhoram slept during the siege of Revelstone!!! And, as for her being too introspective, have any of the people who have leveled this criticism read the first series? I mean, let's face it, in the first series Covenant was the single most self-absorbed and infuriating character that existed in fantasy fiction. I literally cannot count the amount of times that I flung one of those books across the room out of sheer frustration with his refusal to face what was going on.
More improtantly though, I think that when we start talking about liking characters we are kind of missing one of the most crucial aspects of SRD's writing in these stories. These stories are not about being likable, or even lovable. It is about experiencing the trials and development of persons who are facing crucial challanges and transformations. I mean, yes, certainly, SRD puts in charcters who are likable and lovable, but many times, though their tales are interesting, they are not the center piece of the story. It is VERY EASY to like Covenant now, but let's face the facts; he is a rapist, and at least indirectly a murderer. I am not saying that he has not given everything to redeem himself, and atone for his wrongs; he has. But, ask yourself a question; (and I would like the women on this site to especially pay attention to this), if you met Thomas Covenant, say around the time of the second chroncies, and if you knew the truth of what he had done, how would you feel about him? No doubt many of us could say that we respected him, and respected the fact that he had taken a great leap forward in fighting for the Land, but it still would not change the facts of what he had done, or how basically unpleasant he is as a person.

[drew]

I must say I agree with you Rukh. It's the story that's the important thing. Most people here that don't like Linden, Loved the 2nd chromicles..and what would the second Chronicles be without Linden? Well TC would have been dead halfway through TWL!!

If you want some good insight on how SRD feels about Linden, check out his website in the Structured Interviews--The video clips under June 2004-he talks about her a bit.