Book One of the GAP series, first published in 1991. Through the lives of Angus, Morn and Nick, an entire world begins to unfold - a world of politics and betrayal, extraordinary developments and a shadowy alien presence that lies on the other side of the Gap.
The Real Story & Forbidden Knowledge
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‘The Gap series is the best work of his career. Donaldson displays a real and rare gift for depicting intrigue, deception, betrayal and the dynamics of the multiple double-cross, and the dizzyingly complex backstabbing arabesques of his cast of resourcefully vicious interstellar slimeballs make this series as funky, grungy and down-and-dirty as space-op ever gets. This sequence has me hanging by my thumbs waiting for the next instalment.’
Time Out
From the Back Cover
BOOK ONE OF THE GAP SERIES
Hailed as his finest achievement to date, Stephen Donaldson’s 'Sunday Times' bestselling GAP series has rapidly attained classic status. The creator of the million selling 'Thomas Covenant' novels is at his incandescent best in one of the most exhilarating space epics ever told – an unmissable adventure as vast as the galaxy and as unpredictable as the human heart.
The story starts small, with a simple case of ore piracy, and focuses on three individuals: Angus Thermopyle, a pirate and murderer who will stop at nothing for personal gain; Morn Hyland, a brilliant young policewoman who has committed a horrifying act and who falls prey to Thermopyle; and Nick Succorso, a legendary star captain who may be the key to Morn's salvation … or her worst nightmare.
Through the lives of Angus, Morn and Nick, an increasingly complex future is revealed, where faster-than-light travel is commonplace, deception and betrayal are rife, and every action takes place in the shadow of a menacing alien presence that lies just on the other side of the Gap.
“Donaldson displays a real and rare gift for depicting intrigue, deception, betrayal and the dynamics of the multiple double-cross, and the dizzyingly complex back-stabbing arabesques of his cast of resourcefully vicious interstellar slimeballs make this series as funky, grungy and down and dirty as space-opera ever gets. This sequence has me hanging by my thumbs waiting for the next instalment”
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Please don't be put off by the fact that this book is short, extremely dark and ultimately just the preview of what is to come.
It's a necessary step towards one of the best science fiction series that I've read. 'The Real Story' opens the curtain to a dangerous, dark world of the future and one woman's harrowing journey through it. If you've read the Thomas Covenant books then you'll know Donaldon's penchant for awkward, unloveable characters. This series is no different and though the first two books are more background than anything else, the momentum that they provide (used to amazing effect in the last three books) is quite something else.
I can't recommend this series highly enough - if I was marking 'The Real Story' as a stand alone novel I'd probably give it three stars. The series itself goes beyond five stars. Awesome.
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By bwowser
Format:Paperback
This is the worst brilliant book I have ever read. As a standalone novel it is sharply disappointing, rough, violent and distasteful. It intrigues and questions, but provides cold, dark, violent and disturbing resolutions.
This book should carry a warning label for adults.
Never the less, as the first book in a series of five, I must strongly recommend this book to others.
Everyone I know who has read this book struggles initially - but for the perceptive, persevering reader who continues with the set, a work of genius is revealed.
I have read reviews that slam this work. I can understand them, had I not continued on with the series I may have even sympathised with them. But anyone who thinks this book is gratuitous, un-imaginative or shallow are SERIOUSLY mistaken.
Read this book. Be disturbed. Be outraged. Be offended. Be persistent.
Read the rest of the series and be amazed. Be awed. Be rewarded.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
The Real Story is the first volume of the 'Gap' series which comprises five novels in all. The others are Forbidden Knowledge, A Dark And Hungry God Arises, Chaos And Order and finally This Day All Gods Die. Anyone familiar with Donaldsons previous fantasy series, The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, will not be surprised by some of the themes being explored here; guilt, betrayal, loss and the nature of evil. Donaldson is not content to have his characters do things just for the sake of propelling the plot along. Every action by every character has a logical basis whether it's the apparently benificent act of a hero or the evil conniving of a villain. Because of this, the overturning of your preconceptions of exactly who is good and who is bad is a regular occurence through the series. This first tome is, without doubt (and by Donaldsons own admission) the darkest and bleakest of narratives. In what might be seen as a literary exercise the author creates a character, Angus Thermopyle, who is so unremmitingly amoral and cowardly that you cannot help but be repulsed by him. Donaldson then, over the remaining novels, takes the reader on a journey of exploration to see if we can re-write Thermopyle, not as an easily written off cypher for evil, but as a human being, weak and flawed, but understandable and, ultimately, worth saving. I would urge anyone to read the series but bear in mind, the pit that the reader is dropped down in the first volume can only be escaped from by reading the other four...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gap Series
This book was a very good price and was delivered immediately to my Kindle. I am enjoying reading it, as I enjoy all Stephen Donaldson's books.
Published 11 days ago by Mrs. Diane Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
First in the set
I bought my husband the complete Gap Series as part of a birthday present, as he's a great fan of the author. He read this series some time ago but never had the full set.
Published 1 month ago by S. M. Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars
get into the gap
as with all of his books the story is out of this world.
gripping from the start to the end.
gripping from the start to the end.
Published 2 months ago by Steve Smith
1.0 out of 5 stars
His best work? I don't think so!
I have thoroughly enjoyed all the chronicles of Thomas Covenant and look forward to the final book. I read somewhere that the Gap Sequence was Donaldson's finest work and so was... Read more
Published 4 months ago by D J MILLER
3.0 out of 5 stars
An interesting story
If you've read the other reviews you will see reference to the rape scene. When I first read the book I was expecting something really totally gross and disgusting. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Dan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Off to a flyer
PICK IT UP DON'T PUT IT DOWN IT STARTS IT ALL OFF BUY THIS GET THEM ALL GOOD STORY YOU WILL LOVE IT
Published 4 months ago by graham williams
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hard-hitting sci-fi
Best known perhaps for fantasy literature, those who have read the Chronicles of Thomas Convenant will know that Donaldson does not shy away from difficult subjects, nor is he... Read more
Published 6 months ago by L. Hamilton-Messer
4.0 out of 5 stars
kevin gladok
was browsing on kindle site when i noticed stephen donaldsons gap books were available. without hesitating i downloaded the first book forbidden knowledge . Read more
Published 17 months ago by blue avarice
5.0 out of 5 stars
no holds barred brilliant.
I read this series about 10 years ago.
And I've not read anything since that affected me quite as much as this series did. Read more
And I've not read anything since that affected me quite as much as this series did. Read more
Published 19 months ago by chewbacca
5.0 out of 5 stars
The first chapter of a great series
This is book one, but it is actually Chapter 1. I have no read these books three times and I can't recommend them more. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2010 by peter redmond
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