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laurenthelas's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scheu's review against another edition
5.0
EDIT: I just finished my probably fifth read-through of the first book, having completed the Grim Oak Press reissues (which are lovely). I found myself reflecting on different aspects this time than I had before. I very much wanted to focus on Covenant's feelings over I also wanted to think about some odd memories I had about the story - like, this enormous Land with so few people in it - and the kind and compassionate people who DO populate the Land, in contrast to Covenant.
I'm glad that I still enjoy the series as much as I do.
2007 REVIEW: The Thomas Covenant books have always held a special place in my heart. I freely admit that the series is not for everyone; the singular nature of the protagonist turns a lot of readers away before the first book (this one) is halfway finished.
Compared to other heroic fantasy, I find the Covenant books to be somehow more believable, and to have more emotional impact. The theme of redemption, present throughout the series, resonated with me when I first read the books twenty years ago, and continues to resonate with me.
Spoiler
his rape of Lena, to help put his later actions and reactions in context.I'm glad that I still enjoy the series as much as I do.
2007 REVIEW: The Thomas Covenant books have always held a special place in my heart. I freely admit that the series is not for everyone; the singular nature of the protagonist turns a lot of readers away before the first book (this one) is halfway finished.
Compared to other heroic fantasy, I find the Covenant books to be somehow more believable, and to have more emotional impact. The theme of redemption, present throughout the series, resonated with me when I first read the books twenty years ago, and continues to resonate with me.
mazer_nickham's review against another edition
3.0
I know fantasy is a derivative genre by nature, but I’m having a hard time seeing the merit of the first book in Donaldson’s Thomas Covenant trilogy. Magic ring? Check. Uncreatively named evil mountain (Mount Thunder!)? Yep. Trek up said evil mountain to possibly throw a ring? I think we get the point.
What separates Lord Foul’s Bane from other fantasy books is the protagonist and namesake of the series, Thomas Covenant. He is a coward, he is a jerk, he even raped a young woman early in the book. I knew this going in and found this to be the most intriguing aspect. I wanted to read a book that was divisive among other readers but I found that this is a pretty average fantasy novel under all of the protagonist douchebaggery.
Donaldson’s use of ornate language even for a fantasy writer did not help, either. His characters take the cake for ridiculous names. (A sample: Lord Drool, Berek Halfhand, Damelon Giantfriend). The prose doesn’t really have a flow to it and the overlong chapters make things worse. Despite all of this, Donaldson delivers an average fantasy novel. Evil is vanquished somewhat, we met some interesting ancillary characters, and we’re left hanging for the next book in the series. Not sure I’ll be along for that ride, though.
What separates Lord Foul’s Bane from other fantasy books is the protagonist and namesake of the series, Thomas Covenant. He is a coward, he is a jerk, he even raped a young woman early in the book. I knew this going in and found this to be the most intriguing aspect. I wanted to read a book that was divisive among other readers but I found that this is a pretty average fantasy novel under all of the protagonist douchebaggery.
Donaldson’s use of ornate language even for a fantasy writer did not help, either. His characters take the cake for ridiculous names. (A sample: Lord Drool, Berek Halfhand, Damelon Giantfriend). The prose doesn’t really have a flow to it and the overlong chapters make things worse. Despite all of this, Donaldson delivers an average fantasy novel. Evil is vanquished somewhat, we met some interesting ancillary characters, and we’re left hanging for the next book in the series. Not sure I’ll be along for that ride, though.
chadwich's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
abeckstrom's review against another edition
1.0
The best thing I can say about this is that I'm finally done with it.
veeraptor's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the descriptions of the landscape and of the lore of the land are great and creative, but the main character is so unsympathetic and unlikable that it makes the book that much harder to read and enjoy.
sjyoklic's review against another edition
3.0
I loved it and hated it. I wanted to throw the book across the room screaming but also I couldn't put it down. Thomas Covenant is perhaps the most detestable main character in a book I have ever come across, but he is sick... So... Maybe I can forgive it?
leevoncarbon's review
3.0
Haven't read a fantasy book in years. Interesting set-up in terms of getting us into the imaginary world. I sometimes got lost in the sheer volume of detail in describing terrain and the lore, but generally enjoyed the read.
apryde6226's review against another edition
3.0
I read this years ago, right around the time that it first came out. I was always struck with the emotion that Thomas Covenant has and at the time it seemed excessive. For example, always emphasizing "I'm a leper" and "don't touch me."
That was a long time ago. I've personally contracted Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fybromyalgia and intractable pain. Reading again as an adult, I can actually see the pain he's going through, so it meant much more to me at 53 than it did a 10... I'm going to run through the balance of the series now.
That was a long time ago. I've personally contracted Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fybromyalgia and intractable pain. Reading again as an adult, I can actually see the pain he's going through, so it meant much more to me at 53 than it did a 10... I'm going to run through the balance of the series now.