----- Original Message ----- From: "Lalith Vipulananthan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 9:51 PM Subject: Thomas Covenant (was RE: Question about Spoilers)
> George wrote: > > > Lalith Vipulananthan" asked: > > > > > Just out of interest, how old were you when you read these books? > > > > In my early 30s. > > Thus shooting a hole in one theory I'd developed with Ritu that age is a > determining factor in one's enjoyment of the Covenant books. Most of the > people I know who hated them read them before they were 18. I think I need > to do some more rigourous research. > > So, language and the main character put you off. What about the story > itself, the supporting characters, the description of the Land and its > history and the fundamental question of ethics? The first criteria for a book from me is that I have to enjoy it. I have to like the characters (even the bad guys who have to be "good" bad guys). The science ( I know, this is fantasy, not SF) has to be fairly accurate and where liberties are taken and assumptions are made, those liberties and assumptions must remain consistent. And, usually, depending on the story, I have to want to be there. Finally, the book must be readable. Overall, the story has to "click" somewhere in my brain. however tiny it may seem. So, Thomas Covenant is not remotely likeable. And I surely wouldn't want to go anywhere near the Land. And it is quite possible that Mr. Donaldson's style isn't mine. None of the books "clicked". There--not scientific, not academic, just like or dislike. George A There--not scientific _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
