The Runes Of The Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant (Gollancz S.F.) [Hardcover]

I think I loved The Land as much as any fan. In a time still threatened by the Cold War, I was moved by the author's descriptions of a world of transcendant natural beauty where individuals were willing to make extreme sacrifices to prevent the triumph of Despite. And though I had read Tolkien and other fantasy classics, the anti-heroism of Thomas Covenant, his startlingly original character, his unbelief, pain and eventual salvation was compelling.

I explain my own background to the stories by way of explaining the title of this review. By sheer coincidence, I was halfway through re-reading the Chronicles for the first time in years when I became aware of the 'Runes of the Earth'. I was naturally thrilled but somewhat confused knowing that Covenant had died at the end of 'White Gold Wielder', but I couldn't wait to begin the new book, which I have just finished.

So why do I think my heart may rule my head? Firstly, I have obviously changed as a reader and I analyse Donaldson's writing in a different way to my teenage self. My perception is that his style has changed over the years and that his prose no longer has the same sense of grandeur and epic scale of the first Chronicles. Many people have commented on his tendency to overwrite and some people may find this off-putting. Against this, however, there is no doubt that he still has an enormously rich imagination and a great talent for fantasy writing that is strikingly original. Criticising his use of obscure words is rather like criticising the builder of a wonderful house for using the wrong type of mortar; it misses the effect of the whole.

The opening of the book is as taut and gripping as any top rate thriller writer, verging almost into the realms of horror and the macabre. It's a superb effort. Thereafter, my heart begins to take over once again. The central character of 'Runes', Linden Avery, was central to the Second Chronicles but still played supporting actor to her lover, Thomas Covenant. As the central personality of the new book, she doesn't dominate the reader's imagination in quite the same way.

Covenant's leprosy, his reponse to it, his treatment by society, his desire for vindication and reasons to keep on living; these attributes were the driving force of his Unbelief, which in turn was pivotal to the plot of Chronicles I and to a lesser extent, Chronicles II. Devoid of his presence, Linden's reasons for being in The Land and her motivations seem much narrower and less enobled. At a basic level, her son has been kidnapped and her responses to this crisis are both predictable but also by turns less convincing than the layered physical and psychological trauma of Covenant the Leper.

Finally, and this is just a personal lament, The Land itself has changed. Whilst Donaldson does a brilliant job at re-inventing his domain with new dangers and features, obliterating familiar landmarks in the process, it isn't the same place that I grew to love all those years ago. In this book, there is no Andelain, there are no Giants except in legends and too many human figures who do not really come to life as the original characters did. I guess the past really is a foreign country in that regard.

And yet four stars? Well, there is clearly much more to be unravelled in books II and III and it seems deliberate that 'Runes of the Earth' is less self contained than the earlier novels which were clearly defined episodes in their own right. This is clearly a cliffhanger (at times, it feels like the author is cramming significances for later use) so it would explain why some ideas or characters feel less well scoped right now. If you have never read the original Chronicles, you will still enjoy this book. Donaldson is a master of the fantasy genre and whilst this novel lacks the emotional force of earlier works, it is perhaps unfair to expect him to equal the starburst represented by his first three novels. If you read this, and like it, 'The Illearth War' or 'Lord Foul's Bane' will blow you away.

And ultimately, Stephen Donaldson's work has meant so much to me over the years, that I am simply grateful to be able to go back and revisit The Land in a new time and place. However changed or different it may be, that pleasure is ultimately worth four stars at the very least.

Like many fans, I faced Donaldson's return novel 'The Runes of the Earth' with extreme apprehension, but I have to say he has surpassed himself. If it were possible Donaldson has suceeded in adding a new dimension to the 'Land' that was already rich in detail and plausibility. He seems to have found the perfect balance between drawing from the first two chronicles and incorporating new themes and concepts. The lack of Covenant as the main figure to base the narration around detracts nothing from the novel. Furthermore, the subtle suggestions that Covenant is indeed alive tantalizes the reader and adds to the ambivalence of the novel.

I shall say no more! For Donaldson fans 'The Runes of the Earth' is a dream come true, for new readers the time has come for your initiation into a truly remarkable saga.

Stephen Donaldson has taken everything he has written before and twisted it beyond expectations. The result is a fresh and very vibrant story that makes a lie of a lot of the original material and weaves a new perception of The Land. Oh the hallmarks of Donaldson's writing are all here; the depth of characters, the detailed almost poetic descriptions, the rich and sprawling scope of the story itself and of course the familar species and topography of The Land, but this story is not just another plod through familiar territory it takes new directions and liberties with characters and is a stunning reinvention of The Chronicles.

I guarantee, absolutely guarantee that the twist at the end will have any fans of the original deploring the fact that authors can't write as fast people read.

If you don't want your perceptions of the first two chronicles ruined, don't buy this book. If you want to see what a master storyteller can do to your perceptions with an amazing, well told, story.., buy it now.