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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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To those discounting this book, and thinking the main character is evil, you are clearly missing a huge portion of the book. Thomas does not believe he raped anyone. He is convinced that he is hallucinating the whole thing -- especially when his long-running, incurable impotence is mysteriously cured. The rape is a sign of how truly he feels about the Land's reality.

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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

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The main character of this book struggles throughout to accept his place in the world he finds himself in and his purpose there. Very engaging anti-hero story. The trilogy is well worth the read.

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I couldn't even get through this first book!

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Terrible writing style, obnoxious characters.

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I know there have been very mixed reviews of this book. I really enjoyed it. I marvel over the imagination that Donaldson has to make another world.

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i heard amazing things about this book and the series as a whole. So I purchased the book for 7.99 at barnes and nobles and was excited about starting it.

I read through the first 3 chapters and Everything came to a screeching hault. The book slowed down so much i literally fell asleep while reading it, sitting up, twice.

This is one of the very few books that i gave up on. . .I read over half of it and by then i wanted to kick Thomas in the A$$. He is so negative and so non-chelant about his actions i wanted to choke him. And if a character makes me mad thats a good thing, that means they are getting to me and not boring me, but Thomas Covenant was boring and whining and just plain idiotic.

I know some of you out there are thinking, that the other books are better blah blah, but i have a firm philosophy, if the first book isnt any good as far as im concerned than im not going to waist my money or time on any other books in the series. Period.

I give this book 1 star out of 5

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This is the strangest book I've ever read, but a great tale! It is quite an adventure, and the next books are even better!

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husband loved it. he had read it in high school. orded the others to go with it.

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This series blew me away (Books 1-6). Thomas Covenant is a leper in our world summoned to a strange land where he is proclaimed to be a mythical hero.

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Enjoyable epic fantasy.

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I have read this book and both trilogies numerous times, This as far as I am concerned is his best book out of the series.

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I'd just like people to be warned that the main character smacks and rapes a woman who had only been offering him hospitality within the first 80 pages.

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Classic Donaldson .. classic book

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Book 1 of the 1st trilogy about a man magically summoned to an alternate world because he is thought to be the reincarnation of it's greatest hero, to help them fight their most ancient evil foe. A thoroughly adult fantasy tale full of sorcery, peril & heroism.

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I read this again after 20 years. Wow. My perceptions have changed so much. The protagonist is hard to "like," but the author does an excellent job of keeping the reader's interest in the story. No doubt about it; it's a modern day classic.

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I couldn't even finish this book!

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Hated this book!

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