Helpful Score: 8
I was reading this book. It seemed decent. It had a good story idea, but then the hero of the story raped a woman. From that point on I couldn't get into the story. I had to stop reading it because I hated the character.
Cindy D. (sojourner) reviewed Lord Foul's Bane (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in this strange alternate world on which he suddenly found himself.
This is the first book of a classic science fiction trilogy that transports you into a completely new world. Thomas Covenant has Leprosy on Earth and is outkast but finds himself in this new land where he appears to be an important part of history. There are six of these books, the first three are the best and complete in themselves. Donaldson should have stopped there, in my opinion. The second trilogy, became darker and I thought it was kind of depressing. The first three did what I think sci fi should...introduce you to totally new and sometimes incomprehensible concepts and ideas.
Worth reading.
This is the first book of a classic science fiction trilogy that transports you into a completely new world. Thomas Covenant has Leprosy on Earth and is outkast but finds himself in this new land where he appears to be an important part of history. There are six of these books, the first three are the best and complete in themselves. Donaldson should have stopped there, in my opinion. The second trilogy, became darker and I thought it was kind of depressing. The first three did what I think sci fi should...introduce you to totally new and sometimes incomprehensible concepts and ideas.
Worth reading.
Susan Z. (ZeeRN) reviewed Lord Foul's Bane (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Bk 1) on + 83 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Definitely an epic fantasy with an unusual "hero" (Thomas Covenant) or "anti-hero" as he is better known as. Where else can you find a leper as the main guy?!
I read the first three of this series and started on the fourth but...yeesh. Stephen Donaldson seems to strive to make things difficult to comprehend in this series. Much unlike his "Mordant's Need" two-book series: "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" which are some of my favorite books of all times.
I read the first three of this series and started on the fourth but...yeesh. Stephen Donaldson seems to strive to make things difficult to comprehend in this series. Much unlike his "Mordant's Need" two-book series: "The Mirror of Her Dreams" and "A Man Rides Through" which are some of my favorite books of all times.
Helpful Score: 3
Don't start reading unless you have some time. The prose is unlike any fantasy book I've read. I'm currently on Book 3 and plan on reading the Second Chronicles trilogy.
Eric S. reviewed Lord Foul's Bane (Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The first book in one of the most remarkable epic fantasies ever written, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever.
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in the strange alternate world in which he suddenly found himself. Yet he was tempted to believe, to fight for the Land, to be the reincarnation of its greatest hero....
THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER
Book One: LORD FOUL'S BANE
Book Two: THE ILLEARTH WAR
Book Three: THE POWER THAT PRESERVES
These books have never received the recognition they deserve. It's one of the most powerful and complex fantasy trilogies since Lord of the Rings, but Donaldson is not just another Tolkien wanabee. Each character-driven book introduces unexpected plots, sub-plots, and a host of magical beings so believably rendered you'd believe you might bump into them on your way to the bookstore.
--Alex Klapwald
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in the strange alternate world in which he suddenly found himself. Yet he was tempted to believe, to fight for the Land, to be the reincarnation of its greatest hero....
THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER
Book One: LORD FOUL'S BANE
Book Two: THE ILLEARTH WAR
Book Three: THE POWER THAT PRESERVES
These books have never received the recognition they deserve. It's one of the most powerful and complex fantasy trilogies since Lord of the Rings, but Donaldson is not just another Tolkien wanabee. Each character-driven book introduces unexpected plots, sub-plots, and a host of magical beings so believably rendered you'd believe you might bump into them on your way to the bookstore.
--Alex Klapwald
