The Runes of the Earth

The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Since their publication more than two decades ago, the initial six books in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series have sold more than six million copies and have been published in 10 countries around the world. Now, starting with The Runes of the Earth, Stephen R. Donaldson returns with a quartet of new Covenant novels that are certain to satisfy his millions of fans, and attract countless new followers.

In the original series, a man (living in our world and in our time) is mysteriously struck down with a disease long since believed to have been eradicated. He becomes a pariah in his small town and is abandoned by his wife who departs with their infant son. Alone and despairing, Thomas Covenant falls and, while unconscious, is transported to a fantastic world in which a battle for the soul of the land is being waged. Christened "The Unbeliever", for he is convinced the world is only an illusion, a dream, he finds himself slowly forced to accept the role that seems to be his destiny: savior of the Land.

At the end of the sixth book, Covenant is killed, both in the real world and in the Land, as his companion, Linden Avery, looks on in horror. His death is both the ultimate sacrifice...and his redemption.

At the opening of The Runes of Earth, 10 years have passed. Linden Avery comes home one day to find her child building images of the Land with blocks, and senses a terrible foreboding. She had thought that she would never again be summoned to the Land, nor ever again see her beloved Thomas Covenant. But in the Land, evil is unmaking the very laws of nature.

©2004 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2004 Penguin Audio and Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A reawakening of a classic fantasy saga.” (Library Journal)

“Startlingly original antiheroic fantasy resonating with echoes of both Tolkien and Philip K. Dick.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Impressive...filled with splendid inventions.” (Booklist)

Better in Audio Format

I've been a fan of the Thomas Covenant series since the books first emerged some thirty years ago, so I'm sure anyone kind enough to actually care what I have to say here would need to take that into account as they read this.

My personal view is that anyone contemplating reading (or listening) to this book/audiobook should read the first two trilogies before embarking on this series. I say that even though Donaldson provides an outstanding summary of the first two trilogies at the beginning of "Runes," probably sufficient to get a new reader/listener up to speed. Still - you will miss a lot if you take that approach, even though Donaldson continues to provide background information as "Runes" unfolds.

I read "Runes" when it first came out a couple of years ago. Like most Donaldson books, I found myself rushing through the read to "see what happens next." I decided, before reading the second book in this series, "Fatal Revenant," which has just been published, to listen to (instead of re-reading) "Runes" because I was afraid I had missed a lot during that first, rushed reading. I definitely found that I absorbed more detail and therefore enjoyed the story much more than the first go round, and I'd therefore highly recommend the book-on-tape approach to anyone.

I'm not sure my comments will be helpful to a new reader of Donaldson's writing, but that being said, "Runes" is as good as anything from the second Covenant trilogy (which I personally consider a quantum improvement over the flawed but still entertaining first trilogy), and equal to the "Gap" series in terms of action and intrigue.

Definitely worthwhile for a long-time fan - probably worth a shot for a new and curious reader as well

Great Book

I loved the book and can't wait for the continuation of the story!

Never Ending Story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

There is a lot of repetition throughout that sometimes frustrates but it is a necessary addition to a story that could go on and on.

renewal

the adventure continues and so we proceed i have read this book before but always enjoy it look forwRd to ne t book

It is was ok

I did enjoy the story. It’s been many years since I read the previous two trilogies which I like loved. For me, this work was not up to par with those. The repetitive explanations and phrasing became tiresome and the oscillation from one breath to the next of the main character’s inner conflicts was exhausting by the end. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a good story. I’m probably just turning into a cranky old fart.

Waiting on Book 2

I enjoyed the book, and realize that Donaldson has 4 book in mind for this part of the trilogy, I am disappointed that book 2 has been published, but is not available at this time on audible. I was really looking forward to seeing the devlopment and the continuation of the world of Thomas Covenant

Covenant is back!

I've loved this series for many years. A wonderful presentation of, The Last Chronicles. Enjoy!

need next book

I enjoyed the book, but am disappointed that the next book is not available on audible.

The least of the three trilogies

So far I would rank the Thomas Covenant trilogies in this order:

2nd Trilogy (the best)
1st Trilogy
Last Trilogy

I love the first two trilogies of Thomas Covenant & have been a huge fan for decades. I was afraid to read this book because I didn’t want to spoil what was already such a good thing.

This book felt more like Donaldson’s version of a kind of Silmarillion. He seems to really want to flesh out the history of the Land & its creatures, explaining more than he does in the earlier books. In a way this was interesting. But it also made the book itself tedious at times and cumbersome.

Major quibbles: Linden Avery knows far more about the land than is realistic. Am I supposed to assume Thomas Covenant taught her all this before his death? If so they must have spent many long hours discussing it. Also it seems Linden’s rather significant love for the land is a bit inexplicable since she only came to discover this love when she went with Covenant into Andelain—and was only there a few days.

I found very little action happens in the first half of the story. We are just so busy listening to dialogue between the characters that just seems endless. Also unlike in the first books, I had a difficult time visualizing the Land or where the characters were half the time. I just felt like the description of where the characters were at any given time was a little sparse.

Lastly, it’s really important to care about the characters and so far I have zero concern for Jeremiah. He is a non-character to me. I don’t understand Linden’s love for this child at all, so her motivation and drive to rescue him…when he is nothing but an empty shell (according to the Despiser)…mystifies me. I am sure a mother can understand, but this reader has never had kids and I can only react accordingly. How can you form such a strong attachment to a child that does not respond to you in any way?

Anyway, I just feel the motivation for Linden’s love and desire to get her son back is lacking. Maybe if we had gotten to see more of Jeremiah before his kidnapping besides just a Lego statue…???

Last point—I don’t understand why Joan’s madness creates storms in the land, even when she is in her own world. I feel like this could have been explained better as well.

Awesome Narrator and Good Story

The narrator was excellent and the story itself was really good. After many years I am finally getting around to finishing the Covenant chronicles and I agree that the conversations and headspace were repetitive but it did feel like they provided reinforcement and a gateway to empathy which is what I have always loved about Donaldson's works.