 |
|
|
Scifi and Fantasy Forum: Books and Book Reviews: Stephen R. Donaldson:
Archive through Jan 25, 2001
Archive through Jan 25, 2001
We have moved to new forum software and posting here is closed!
PLEASE BOOKMARK THE NEW FORUMS
After the disappointment I had with Wheel of Time, I thought I'd recommend a classic series: Stephen R. Donalson's Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever (both 3 book series are well worth the read).
Donaldson does an excellent job of world creation, and since the hero comes from our world we get a better first hand view of the awe and wonder of it all. The adventure aspects are top notch, and the protagonist's leperosy and the emotional termoil it causes him is interesting twist on the "underdog saves the world" theme that is so common in Fantasy literature today (thanks to Tolkien).
Another aspect I really enjoyed was the fact that although the sequel series returns you to the same world, it has radically changed. Along with it comes fresh challenges and totally new characters. Too many authors just rehash the same tired characters and story line; Donaldson is one of the few that has managed to do more.
Posted By:  Lisseut Jan 19, 1999 - 08:38 pm |       | While I enjoyed reading them, I don't think I would be able to read them again. Mordant's Need (2 books) I can, and have, read more than once and Daughter of Regals is a worthwhile short story. I got through the first three volumes of the Gap series, but lost interest after that.
Mordant's Need has excellent characterisation (of major characters) and solid plot with just enough twists to keep the reader interested.
I agree, Mordant's Need is very good. I've read it twice myself (I like Donaldson...can you tell?). I hadn't read Covenant for many years, so it was about time.
The Gap series is very different. While well written, it didn't excite me nearly as much as Donaldson's Fantasy stories.
| Posted By: rockslam Dec 21, 1999 - 06:14 am | | I have another view. I liked the Covenant books so much that I have read all of them on multiple occasions. I also read all of his short stories and Mordant's Need stuff, which I liked. I thought he was really hitting his stride with pacing in those books. But I found the Gap series far and away superior to any other writing he has ever done. I found the Amnion a truely terrifying, and extremely POSSIBLE alien race. I love the complexity of the characters, and the seamless, extremely tight storytelling. I like that he tells the story from multiple viewpoints, and I found that the story wound to an inexorable and highly satisfying conclusion.
I hope he keeps writing! I miss his insight.
kgb
| Posted By: T5 Nov 17, 2000 - 01:26 pm | | I liked the "gritty" feel of the GAP series.
It was different and more realistic than many other books that try the same gritty-miners sci-fi.
| Posted By: MerleZ Jan 22, 2001 - 08:55 am | | Here's what I've written elsewhere about the Gap series. As you can see, I'm a fan, and agree this is Donaldson's best effort, which is saying something.
The Gap series, which begins with Forbidden Knowledge and concludes with This Day All Gods Die, was not Stephen R. Donaldson’s first foray into Science Fiction. The highly regarded author of The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, the Unbeliever previously had published several SciFi short stories in his collection Daughter of Regals and Other Tales, which I highly recommend. With his publication of the Gap series, Donaldson has firmly established himself as a master of SciFi as well as Fantasy.
Donaldson begins the series with a story basically about three characters: Angus Thermopyle, Morn Hyland, and Nick Succorso. In and extended postlogue, Donaldson gives us insight into how he came up with the concept for the story, including inspiration from The Ring cycle of Operas by Wagner. This is a wonderful insight into how the author’s mind works.
In this series, you will see brutality on a scale not even approached by Donaldson in the past, which is saying something. Anyone who’s read The Covenant Chronicles, or Mordant’s Need, can be assured that there is even more here. It is not a read for the faint at heart.
Coupled with the brutality, as is usual with Donaldson, you will find people surpassing what they believe to be their limits. People overcoming their own perceived shortcomings and failings. Flawed humans performing superhuman feats, mainly because they have no choice. Their survival requires extreme measures and extreme exertions.
And you will find characters you’ve grown quite attached to dying. That is only realism. I equate it to the television series Babylon 5, which never gave an easy answer to any problem, no rosy everything turns out good ending, ala Star Trek. In B5 we lost characters we had grown to care about, or saw them destroyed. The same happens in Donaldson’s work here. To expect no casualties is to divorce oneself from any semblance of realism. (Now, I realize that’s a strange thing to say about SciFi, which of course tends to drift away from realism at fantastic speeds. But what I’m talking about is realism in outcomes and conflicts.)
Finally, Donaldson has created a truly creepy alien species, intent on imperialism of a frightening sort. The Amnion are limited only in the rapidity with which they can reproduce their clearly superior technology, and the future of humankind rests in the balance.
This story builds in the telling. The first novel, The Real Story, gives just a glimpse of what the overall story will be about. It is little more than a novella introduction, and much more is made clear in Forbidden Knowledge. Read on and prepare to be drawn in.
Nice observations MerleZ (welcome to the forums!). Well thought out, and insightful. You've touched on some of the exact reasons I enjoy Donaldson's work...wish he was a little more prolific so we had more to read (grumble grumble).
However, I must point out that The Real Story--subtitled "The Gap into Conflict"--is, in fact, the first book in the series. Forbidden Knowledge is the second book (of five for folks who aren't aware). While I agree that The Real Story serves as a rather elaborate introduction (a true novel, too long to be considered a novella) to the rest of the series, readers should be aware that skipping it isn't really an option. The full vision of the author can only be realized by reading ALL of the books, in the order intended. 
| Posted By: MerleZ Jan 23, 2001 - 07:31 am | | Ack! Yes, I mis-wrote that! The Real Story is indeed the first book, with the extended postlogue by Donaldson describing how he came up with the idea, and introducing us to Morn Hyland, Nick Succorso, and Angus Thermopyle.
Now, as to the Covenant Chronicles, many readers are instantly turned off by the rape scene. I'm wondering what it was that kept the rest of us going. I especially would like to hear from the female readers. Did Covenant's rape of Lena so completely turn you against him that you could never accept him? How did you bring yourself to continue reading?
I'm not a woman, but it didn't turn me off at all and I think that still counts. I believe the whole point was to make him that much more flawed and unlikable. I mean come one, what's to like? A leper, a rapist, and a generally unpleasant to be around sourpuss. Yet the fate of the world lies in his hands. The reluctant hero taken to a whole new level.
Now what other Fantasy author has dared to take this approach? Brilliant!
| Posted By: MerleZ Jan 25, 2001 - 02:09 pm | | Here is what strikes me. In his own world, Covenant was a decent person, loving husband and father, etc. Then, because of something he has no control over - contracting leprosy - he is outcast from society, treated like it's all his own fault. Then, he goes to the Land. Because of something beyond his control - his half hand and white gold ring - he's treated wonderfully, despite committing numerous heinous crimes and behaving like a basic jackass cowars.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion
