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)

Beloved Chronicles

Loved it, can't wait for more. I first read the original Chronicles when I was 12 years old. They openend my mind and imagination. Now I am 39 years old and getting to return to the land.

Great Series

Started the original trilogy back in 80’s and finally getting to finish thing. After book 1 of the final series I am just as hooked as I was all those yrs ago. Scott Briggs is an excellent reader for this trilogy. I highly recommend all the books by Stephen R Donaldson

Creative, Mr Donaldson is a great story teller

Would you consider the audio edition of The Runes of the Earth to be better than the print version?

I have not not read the print version

What did you like best about this story?

Mr Donaldson has woven a vast world in The Land, not only that he has managed to rebuild and reshape The Land throughout all of the series of stories in the Thomas Covenant chronicles. I am able to visualize the people and environs of his stories with clarity. I love that he gives all of his characters flaws and foibles that make them truly reluctant heroes with depth and breadth to their personalities that you rarely see.

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

I have listened to many stories that Mr Brick has narrated. His voice is rich and captivating. He brings the story to life with tone, timbre and inflection, not relying on creating a special voice for each character. I really like that, because he can deliver the emotion of the lines without being distracted by trying to speak first in Bob's voice than in Mary's. When listening to an audiobook for several hours it is easy to get lost from some readers monotone. Mr Brick does not loose my attention and I am carried along the story with his readings. His voice is comforting, like listening to accounting's by an old friend.

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

Mr Donaldson has the skill to keep my interest because his stories move from tension to calm and back again with a rhythm that keeps my interest.

Any additional comments?

Mr Donaldson has a great vocabulary in his writing. He uses rarely heard words in his story, such as Auguries. My only problem is that he will use that same word several times throughout the story when something less impacting will work just a well. For me this gives the word and it's usage less strength, and when he uses it a third or fourth time, it just annoys me in the moment. It is like hearing the same word in the same sentence, as in "he was back on his back in the back outback."

OMG!!!!!!!

I loved the books and I just finished the audio book and I was going nuts like bat shit crazy trying to find the second book.

love all his books

couldn't wait to listen to it.Waited a long time for this.really a great book to hear

Love this collection

I have read the first two series of Thomas Covenant, and have just finished the first book in the last series. Unfortunately, the second book is missing from this site. I will wait to see if they can get it, or purchase elsewhere.

Fantastic! Faster moving plot than original series

Well worth the 22 year wait! Donaldson weaves an intricate story with all the mental underpinnings like the earlier series. However, the plot and action now move at a breath taking pace rather than drudge along as in The One Tree or White Gold Wielder. The narration is done pretty well--each character is distinctively yet believably portrayed. The book's only fault is that it ends--and we must wait until late 2007 for the next installment.

The Chronicles of Lindon Avery

I read the first two series during my 20's and remembered loving them. I even chose a wedding band with white gold when I got married. 30 years later. I discovered this series. This first book gives a good, but slow moving reintroduction to the land and the existing story. I enjoyed it and will finish the series, particularly after Thomas mysteriously makes an appearance. Hopefully more than just self doubt dominates future books. The author's inchoate sussurations highlight his puissant command of archaic vocabulary, but he does create some realistic settings. The narrator does a very good job.

WANTING MORE!!!

LOVED EVERY WORD. WOULD LIKE TO DOWN LOAD ALL OF THE THOMAS COVENENT SERIES(ALL 3 SERIES).
WOULD RECAMEND TO ALL.

A wonderful and surprising addition

*Background
My first encounter with the Thomas Covenant series was 16 years ago when I was still a student in high school. Difficult at first because of the writing style, the first book Lord Fouls Bane was an amazing story which I admit took more than a month to finish. The story Donaldson laid out was so mesmerizing the following five books took less than a month to read combined. After such a long time, I was both excited at the prospect of new additions and skeptical of the idea at the same time. My first fear was "Is this simply one last attempt at making a buck off of a past success?"

*The Audio Book
Though expertly read by the narrator Scott Brick, I found myself quickly reminded of how painful Stephen R. Donaldson's writing style can be. Though it is a bit difficult to describe, I will say that at times, it is akin to reading a scientific publication. The authors strong English background is readily apparent, and the descriptive portions of the text are minimalistic yet completely thorough. At times the text may seem unnecessarily repetitive, however after the first 45 minutes of the audio book, this feeling was lost in favor of the story. The story translated surprisingly well into audio format, truly a testament to the strength of the narrator. The story which is laid out here in the last chronicles of Thomas Covenant is a great addition to the two previous trilogies. I find myself impatiently awaiting the audio recording of the next book, Fatal Revenant.