To go wherever dreaming goes . . .

[Realmtreader]

The Books written by Stephen Donaldson have been entangled in the blood of my life for many, many years. They have sustained me when naught else could. They have taught me more about spirituality, writing, and being than any normal (mundane) life experience, such as schooling or churches.
I should introduce myself, though there isn't much to say. I'm 19 years old, and whatever other fact I could offer I am either unable or unwilling to give at the moment. But this isn't about me.
The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant are, among all literary works, my most prized and most admired. I rather prefer the Second Chronicles to the First, although I find both to be wonderous beyond description. If I had to choose a favorite character, I would have to say Linden.
I have had several dreams, visions, and imaginings about a Third Chronicles, about how Linden would 'replace' Covenant (though I do believe that the wonder that is Thomas Covenant can never be truly replaced - only honored), about new characters, and new wisdoms.
To find that Stephen is indeed intent on creating a third set of works seems to have taken my heart from within me. I had not dared hope that it would be true.
Thus far, I have accumulated that Linden will be the cardinal protagonist in the new story, at least initially. This seems fitting. I have read some debates claiming that pushing forward anymore in the Land, especially with Linden, would be a hollow attempt - that no evil, conflict, or problem could hope to be equal to her power, that creating a new Land-wide wound or disease would fall into redundancy. I've heard that a prequel would be a grand idea, describing the Land before Covenant's time. Also, others have stated that entirely new characters should be primary in the story as opposed to the Sun-Sage and healer - such as Covenant's son. These are all very, very good proposals. However, I think I can see how Stephen could create a new story with Linden, among others, in the Land.
What I have absorbed so far has astounded me. I have read a few things about Linden adopting an autistic boy, and that he has been stolen and taken into the Land by some force - I think it was said that it was Foul, but I am uncertain of that memory - and that Linden must retrieve him. Little else have I seen. I have read much speculation, all very intriguing and insightful. As this still fills my mind with such vibrations that I can't seem to think clearly, one idea sings strongly above the others - at least for now.
I am enthralled by the idea of an autistic character. Because I, too, am considered autistic.
This has seemingly infinite implications! Though autism is so heterogenous that it at times defies definition (and I greatly wish to see how Stephen writes this character), I realize that the character will not necessarily have any special resemblance to myself, for example, at least in the aspect of his autism. Nonetheless, I feel as if an unconscious desire has been fulfilled within me. I found it very easy to identify on an intimate level with each character in the stories. However, with Linden I linked the deepest, I believe, and the idea of someone who could possibly respresent another spirit with which I could so meld is overwhelming.
Even without that, the very idea of a Third Chronicles, after long last, being born is enough to rob me of sleep for nights upon nights.
As my first post, I only wish to show a bit of myself and, perhaps, to bring up the issue of autism and to invite any knowledge to cure whatever ignorance I have shown.
I will follow the Sun-Sage, and the ur-Lord, wherever they may go - wherever dreaming goes. As my heart returns to my body, I feel it is warm with anticipation to partake in the next journey.
Thank you all very much for your attention.

[Treble]

Wow, that was a great post. Your clarity of expression and obvious passion are to be greatly admired, and it does indeed appear that the comparisons between your own life and the forthcoming books have produced some wonderful kismet.

Having read no other SRD books other than the TC ones, I fear the intervening years may have irrevocably changed his approach and style, and have natural concerns about the direction of the new work. Does anyone else share my fears?

Seeing what a fantastic and profound effect the previous books have had upon you, I truly hope they live up to your expectations as well as mine. Again, thanks for your post.

[Fist and Faith]

Realmtreader,
I feel the same way about TCTC. They are a part of me, they helped me solidify some of my thinking and feelings. I feel closer to some of the characters than is probably healthy, but the psychologists be damned!

btw, I have a son with Asperger's Syndrome, so I'm looking forward to Linden's son too!

Does anyone else share my fears?

Not me. Not in the least. I have not the slightest doubt that I will be thrilled beyond measure, and I am sooooooo pleased to know that 4 books are planned, and the first is only 3/4 finished at more than 700 pages!! Yee Ha!!

Welcome to the Watch you two! I've enjoyed your letters a lot so far!

[dukkha]

I'm wondering how SRD is going to create an even more urgent and terrifying situation than the one in the Second Chronicles. Generally, sequels have to make the situation appear even worse than in previous novels, and I'm fearful of what that will look like. I mean, the Land couldn't be worse without everyone being dead. All I can think of is that SRD will destroy/disease the rest of the world - the Giants, the Elohim, etc. Yikes.

[Fist and Faith]

Excellent point. I shudder to think of the possibilities! And at what point can things have gone too far to recover? Could it be the end of the Land and its Earth? The Arch of Time still intact, but containing a lifeless ball of dirt?

Just feeling like Negative Man today, I guess. But if it could happen to

Spoiler

Arrakis

it can happen to any world.

[amanibhavam]

well, he said somewhere that he will destroy the Land eventually - so we may anticipate a rather huge climax

[Skyweir]

I feel the same way too realmtreader .. the chrons are a fundamental part of me .. and I owe part of who I am today for having read them ..

I have always been moved by the 'humanity' Donaldson explores throughout the trilogies .. and have sat in awe of the one who created such works.

I am immensely impressed by the calibre of author Donaldson is .. not for his literary prowess alone .. but also for the callibre of person you gleen from the pages .. I have learned so much about myself .. and to use his words .. 'the human condition' from him than anything I have read in any other book or text espousing to illuminate this illusory concept.

It may sound extreme .. but I feel an intrinsic reverence for this work .. albeit fantasy .. there is so much more than fantasy in store ..

Welcome to the Watch realmtreader .. great nic by the way .. we got a whole lot of new people with really great nics and really great avatars ..

Anyway .. be welcome to the Watch .. be welcome and true ..

here I find a place where the most cherished qualities of the inhabitants can be enjoyed ..

cheers

[fightingmyinstincts]

I do actually fear that the books might have a different "feel" to them...much like Episode 1/the original trilogy...but TCTC is SO much more important than star wars, no offense...one's just for fun, the other is like holy writ to me...you can LEARN from these books, they can illuminate human nature...but most of all I like their "feel" and I don't want it to change...
BTW, I have an autistic half-brother, but I don't know him, however I am interested in this proposed autistic adopted child of Linden...I know I've never read an autistic char before, must be hard to write...

[Sykus]

I was ecstatic to hear that the third Chronicles was coming, but I was worried about the idea of Linden Avery as the main character. She just never resonated with me like TC did.

But the idea of an autistic son of hers - now that is intriguing. Deeply so.

Can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Realmtreader]

I have experienced fear - though I would say apprehension rather than fear. I am anxious that my reaction to the new conceptualization of the Land will show an entirely different place - which is fine, expected even . . . I simply hope that I know the Land, and Stephen, as well I think I do.
I've read a few other of Stephen's works. Mordant's Need was phenomenal. That story was breathtaking. I read only one book in the Gap series. I only read one, and I did not wish to read more. This is not because I disliked them. As usual, the power of Stephen's work is irrefutable. But the nature of the story was disturbing to me. Some of the aspects of brutality. Too much for me, I think. But still marvelous story and storytelling. I also read some of his short works in Reave the Just. They were equally profound. However, the stories of the Land have always been my favorite.
But I don't think I'm worried. I have faith in Stephen.
And as to Linden . . . I've found that a lot of people either didn't like her or just couldn't identify with her. Though I simply adored Thomas Covenant, I still think I 'resonated,' as one of you have so well put it, with her more. Partly because of her agony under the bale of the Sunbane, against the rapine of the Ravers - I understand that in a personal way I do not think I can effectively name. And I have so many friends with pasts, childhoods, like hers. And as to her darkness, her paralysis in the face of that which appalls her . . . I required little imagination to understand and envision this.
Even knowing that Land changes, just as it changed from the First Chronicles to the Second, I only hope I will have patience enough to await the new installment.
Holy writ? Such a wonderful way to put it! Yes . . . fantasy is so much more than some people seem to think.
Thank you all so much for your input.

[caamora]

Realmtreader - you astound me with your eloquence and insight. You are a wonderful writer!

I agree with everyone regarding the books. Being an avid reader, I always have a book in my hand. Yet, none of these has affected me as TCTC have. I am old enough to remember when Lord Foul's Bane came out and I remember waiting anxiously for the next book! SRD has created characters for us that are not just characters - they are people that we have fallen in love with. They have become our friends, our lovers, and our families and I, for one, have a special place in my heart for all of them.

I am as excited as a child on Christmas morning waiting for the new trilogy! How could I mistrust SRD by being fearful or anxious? He will be taking us on another incredible journey! Although I haven't read the Gap series (simply because I don't care for Science Fiction), SRD has never failed to inspire me with the beauty of his writing and he is ever challenging me tothink. These, I feel, are SRD's gifts to us.

[Realmtreader]

Caamora, you have my thanks. Though I find it extremely hard to believe that anyone would use the word 'astound' or 'wonderful' when referring to me. And besides . . . Stephen's eloquence tends to 'rub off' - and such things tend to leave a deeper, stronger mark on me.
Yes . . . the excitement is tangible to me. I was rather jaded by the news . . . my thoughts about my own stories have vanished from my mind and I am inundated with visions. I still remember, when I was about tewlve or thirteen, I stumbled upon the Wounded Land in an old, untidy bookstore in town. I felt compelled to buy it . . . although I wasn't sure if I'd understand it or even like it. I remember I started reading it, and lost it at one point. When I found the book again, I finished it, and then tried to buy the other two. I bought The One Tree while on vacation, and my father found White Gold Wielder at the library one day. I read them at intervals and out of order. When I picked up the first Chronicles at book stores and libraries, I read them out of order too.
I also lost The Illearth War at school one day, and somehow never found it again. I've always regretted losing it. Also, I lost The Wounded Land when I lent it, reluctantly, to a friend, and he not only didn't return it, but he vanished with it. A few weeks ago my closest friend mailed me a new set of the Second Chronicles as a surprise. I have not been able to adequately thank him yet. I doubt I ever will.
The stories have probably been the greatest source of inspiration for my own writing. . . and to my spirit.
I do not think that I will care if the story has changed any great deal in the third installment - though I would notice, I doubt I would treasure the books any less.
And . . . it will probably be the only Chronicles that I will have read in the appropriate order. And I think I'll reread them as many times as I have the other books. I can't even recall how many times I've reread them. I do not believe that I will ever grow tired of it. Even now I'm in the middle of The One Tree, after just finishing The Wounded Land again. I'll probably go back over White Gold Wielder two or three times before I'm satisfied for now.
I do wish that I could, at least once, meet Stephen. Even if it were only online. I probably wouldn't have it within me to speak - but listening would be benison enough for me.
I hope for you all to have a pleasant day or night. Good bye.

[caamora]

Well Realmtreader, as I said, I have been reading these books over and over since they were first published. I read them at least twice per year because I enjoy them so much and after all this time, I still find something new. That is the beauty of Donaldson's writing. So don't be surprised if you do as I, and I'm sure many others on this board, do - re-read the books again and again.

P.S. Don't sell yourself short - your writing is a pleasure to read.

[Realmtreader]

"P.S. Don't sell yourself short - your writing is a pleasure to read. "

Well, thank you. That means a great deal coming from you. It gives me a little hope, at least.

I wish I could find a new set of the First Chronicles, so that I could reread those. I never even had a chance to finish the second book of that trilogy. I've always wondered what Melekurion Skyweir felt like. I never really felt like I go to know Elena.

Well . . . in any case . . . I once read that if a book isn't worth reading more than once, perhaps it isn't worth reading even once. Maybe that isn't always true, but it certainly expresses the worth of Stephen's works . . .

Again . . . thank you. Goodbye.

[Skyweir]

I have to agree with caamora .. you do write exquisitely! your posts are pleasureable to read

.. I think because they flow so fluidly .. hee hee .. <not a wordsmith lol

I think you do have a gift .. it is a gift to be able to express your self and your thoughts so well .. When it comes to the written word it is indeed either a gift .. or a well crafted and well refined skill ..

Donaldson is a master word-smith .. its one of the things I love about his works ..

I completely understand that you stopped reading the Gap after the 'Real Story' .. the first book was disturbing .. But Donaldson takes the book beyond the brutality of that first book .. and into a depth of intrigue ... to similar levels of exploration of the the multitudinous layers of the 'human condition' .. I am glad I pressed on .. The Gap series is another amazing read ..

I agree with FMI .. in so many ways TCTC is akin to 'holy writ' .. I too love that expression .. it perfectly captures the phenomenal impact the series has ..

Personally .. even though I enjoyed MN .. to me it had not the depth of TCTC or even the Gap .. they remain my favourites ..

What moves me most about SRD's work .. is the integrity of his creations .. I imagine Donaldson must be a remarkable individual, and how I envy mouseglove .. having spent so much time with him and gotten to know him even just a little .. That must have been truly something!