The Illearth War

The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 2

By: Stephen R. Donaldson

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

After scant days in his “real” world, Thomas Covenant finds himself again summoned to a strange world of magic and Earthpower. There, 40 bitter years have passed, while Lord Foul, immortal enemy of the Land, moves to fulfill his prophecy of doom - his countless minions are already on the march, cutting a devastating swath of destruction across the Land.

The Council of Lords find their spells useless, however, now that Foul the Despiser holds the Illearth Stone, the ancient talisman of evil. High Lord Elena turns in desperation to Covenant and the legendary wild magic of his ring, but nobody knows how to use the white gold - least of all Thomas Covenant himself.

©1977 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2020 Brick by Brick Audiobooks

Great 70s Fantasy

This is one of the first fantasies I read growing up. It’s a good story albeit with an unlikeable protagonist.

The problem is the narration. Scott Brick’s overwrought, sing songy narration is hard to slog through. Brick can read “it’s raining outside” as though it’s an emotional cauldron. I’ve tried to listen to Brick many times because he reads several of my favorites, but I just can’t get into the flow of a story that Brick reads.

Narration is so important in an audiobook and a bad performance kills any book.

very good book

A little long but excellent tale about the world of Thomas covenant. This book has several twists and a lot of deep meaning.

sad

spoiler plot why oh why unbeliever couldn't you save her

Tough to put difficult bits out of your mind!

Adverbs improved, but casual treatment of rape inciden (Lord Foul's Bane) is ongoing, nauseating & clearly pointing to incest. You won't be able to get away from it in the second novel of the trilogy. I think for today's reader, it mocks the confounding wisdom of The Land more than the author intended. 'Pity' and 'disgust' come to mind.

Although the writer was young, writing in the 70s, the reader cannot simply overlook or forget about the violent and disturbing event from LBF because Illearth centers the event and its many consequences. That makes forgetting tough--more likely, impossible.

ALSO... if you're squeamish about incestuous desire, particularly that of a hero-rapist toward the knowing & adoring adult daughter who is ready to disregard taboos (& her mother's ongoing vain hope that the man will return to her someday with a marriage proposal)... well, you might want to spare yourself...

I pushed through the book but it was not necessary. I cannot go on to book 3 despite my compulsion to complete a series once begun.

great books

wonderful books great characters each book in the series keeps getting better. I hope they release the next 3 in the series...can hardly wait