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)

Great continuation

Another great story, BUT...
Titles get repeated ad nauseam.
Conversations are irritatingly repetitive of needless information. Every conversation is like this. Allies are so deceptive to one another that at times you wish Foul WOULD wipe them from the land.
Outlandish descriptions with overly ridiculous words start to become comedic as you listen.

Bless the return of The Land

If you like fantasy plot twists that will keep you up and reading for days on end, then Stephen R. Donaldson is the author for you. Beginning with Lord Foul's Bane, the series runs through two complete trilogies and into the third, with The Runes of the Earth. Donaldson creates a hero that you will both love and hate. He is Thomas Covenant, successful writer, until he contracts leprosy. Then his family leaves him, his town people shun him, and he becomes a bitter hermit. One day, he gets a knock on the head and wakes up in a totally different reality, a place called simply "the Land". It is a place of magic and wonder, ineffable beauty and many conflicts with Lord Foul, the Despiser. Covenant commits acts that will rend your heart, and tries to deny the reality of the Land. But he also falls in love with it- and must come to terms with his paradox. He becomes know as the Unbeliever and White Gold Wielder- his wedding band is a talisman of incredible power, the "Wild magic that destroys peace." He encounters giants, Lords, ordinary people of surpassing strength and will, and of course Lord Foul.
This is a series of books that will challenge your mind, your imagination and your endurance for sleepless nights, for if you are like me, you will not be able to put them down!

Give Me More

Giant of a series, when it comes to film please call I will be waiting.
Star Wars
Indiana Jones
Cronicals of Thomas Covenant
I Will Be Waiting

Racing to the End of the Runes of the Earth

If you could sum up The Runes of the Earth in three words, what would they be?

More But Less.

The first two trilogies seemed more epic to me. After listening through to the 3rd part of this recording it dawned on me that only five days had passed in Land-time from the beginning of this book to around the middle. I'm not saying it's slow moving, but dang. So, what we have is more of a story that involves characters that I've loved and read about since I was 17, but the story doesn't seem as important as the first and second trilogies conveyed. Still a good fantasy story but not as consuming.

Would you be willing to try another book from Stephen R. Donaldson? Why or why not?

Absolutely! I've invested a lot of time in Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery. I don't intend to quit now. You should probably be warned though: Audible does not have the second book of the final set (Fatal Revenant) in their store. However, if you are as much of a Scott Brick fan as I am, you may want to consider getting it from his website, Brick By Brick - it looks like he may own some sort of licensing rights about who can distribute this recording. Kind of pricey, but the alternative is to read the book while imagining Scott's voice.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He understands the characters in this book. His performance of the Haruchai is what I consider to be spot on. Aneal's affliction is excellent as well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Not like in the first trilogy. This is a good start to a familiar story - I'm not expecting too many surprises, though.

Any additional comments?

Fans will probably consider this a must read. Some of us who have waited decades for the conclusion of the series will also fall into this category; I'm still a fan! New fans: beware of dismissive reviews! As an old time Land Lover, I've needed the years between publication to digest and reread the first 6 books to understand and appreciate the Land. I've had the time to reflect on the motivations of the main characters. Some readers write this off as a series of books about a rapist, but that is way too simple. Donaldson's characters are complex and their reactions are usually unpredictable, much like most humans. You probably won't want to plow through all these in quick succession - let them mellow and age. You'll know when you are ready for the next one.Enjoy!

love Stephen's writing and Scott Bricks naration

can't wait to start the next book. Having bad dyslexia has hampered my enjoying the written word for years. This is great

The Land Revisted -- 20 Years Later

I am going to make this short and sweet...I decided to reread the the first 6 books about 3 years ago. I had just turned 30 and I wanted to see if those books would hold up to the greatness that my memory gave them. Strangely enough, I found that my least favorite book as a child, The One Tree, became my favorite book as an adult. I feel that this new book has the same tone that The One Tree has, but set in the Land rather than the rest of the world. Back to the short part of the review that I promised: I love it. It is exactly what I hoped it would be...

Great book, well told!

This was a vivid and imaginatively enunciated telling Ave very good story which I enjoyed listening to.

good but flawed

often rambled on, eliciting an oh just do it already" reaction. Main character doesn't grow in confidence or courage....always doubtful.

Donaldson's Best Storyline by His Best Reader!

OK, yes, Donaldson can kind of ramble once in a while, but very few and far between. I've read the Paper Books, listened to the Audio Books, re-read the Paper Books, and am now re-listening to the Audio Books. The stories (all TEN of them) are ALL amazing and Scott Brick is astounding when reading them. Not all of his stuff is great (sorry Scott), but you can just TELL that he loves these stories and loves these characters. He reads it just like my mind sees it. No bigger compliment with me. Great read. (Listen?)

Donaldson as Donaldson.

Well his vocabulary remains sky high. The story is slow, but fine. I missed the Land.

Looking forward to the next one.