May 15, 2011

Blame Stephen Donaldson, Please...

Somewhere about twenty five years ago, I read my first book by Stephen Donaldson. It was titled, "The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant: The Unbeliever". It was promoted as a trilogy. Three books. Storyline over. On to the next author. Or so I thought. I was so wrong.

Because I learned of this author around 1985, I found that all three of the original trilogy had already been written and published, enabling me to skate from the end of one story right along to the next. In addition, Mr. D had already begun the second trilogy of the Chronicles, so I could continue the story through to the fifth book. Then, I had to wait for the sixth book to be written. (Sort of the way J.K. Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books. Hurry up and wait - at least a year!)

While I was waiting, I acquired my first dog, a yellow Labrador retriever. Bryn was named after one of the characters in one of those early books. In her third year, she gave birth to her first litter of puppies and I kept a male. I also named Bannor after one of the characters in the Chronicles. Kyra was born in Bryn's second litter, and I think she too was named from one of the Covenant books.

One of the things I love about Stephen Donaldson's books is that I can lose myself in the triumphs and struggles of good over evil in the battles to save The Land. No movie could ever do justice to the images I've created in my mind from the most minute detail to the most vast features he describes about the places that make up their world.

I read the last book in the trilogy when it came out and lamented the end of the series...until very recently. I learned that Donaldson decided that there should be four more books to make up "The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant". Wha? No one told me!! Three of the books have already been written. How did I miss that?

So, thanks to Amazon's fast shipping, all three books arrived last week. I couldn't help myself. I thought I'd just read a few chapters and then head back to the studio and work on my Summertime quilt. I really had the best intentions of finishing it over the weekend.

Before I knew it, I'd finished Book One of the final four...and Thomas Covenant (who I believed long dead a few books ago) was riding one of the majestic horses of lore across the plain toward the safety of The Keep - just as the book came to an end. ARGGGH! I was smiling from ear to ear. Yes! He was alive! But, I couldn't possibly stop reading there. I had to start the next book!

I began Sunday with hot coffee and cinnamon rolls - and my nose in "The Fatal Revenant". I managed to crochet for a few hours in the afternoon, but most of the weekend was spent immersed in a book. I was blissfully lost in the stories. Fantasy filled my waking hours and for a while I forgot some of the weight that had been bearing down on me of late. Stephen Donaldson brought Thomas Covenant back to life and together they have again taken me out of myself and plunked me right down in the middle of his struggles. I find myself flying through the pages and enjoying every single second.

So, there you have it. No finished projects. No new projects. No creating in the studio. Nothing to tell you unless you want details from the stories I'm reading. I'll be back in the studio soon, but until then, you know where I'll be. Engrossed in a great book...reading about friends old and new. If you'd like to blame anyone, please blame Stephen Donaldson. The man's a genius!

Note: You may have noticed that there are only five books in the photo (instead of nine - two sets of three and three of the final four). Years after the original two trilogies were printed, Donaldson reprinted the first and second trilogies into a single book for each three. I gave the original books to my niece and purchased the reprints for my library. The Final Chronicles are each in single hardcover books, so I have the three that are already in print and will add the fourth when it comes out in 2013. Dang! 2013. I guess that's good. I can get a lot of projects finished before I'll be able to read the last one.

14 comments:

  1. They sound like a great read Donna and I'm glad you have found something to enjoy and distract you from teh weight of the world.
    I have to say, cinnamon rolls often work pretty well for me too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna,

    Nothing like a good book. I get lost in them too.

    Glad you had a quiet weekend.

    xxoo

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a dream. A quiet house where you can read uninterrupted by whatever the current drama happens to be.

    There's nothing like a good book. Did they EVER make a movie that can compare to the book!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. WHAT? THERE ARE MORE BOOKS? I have read and reread the original two series many times, I enjoyed the books so much. I had no idea either that there more. I must get hold of them as well. Good enough reason to read the original series once again. I am so glad you posted about these. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. We both had books on our minds this weekend! LOL GMTA

    ReplyDelete
  6. My love affair with books began at age 6.....and is still as strong as ever. Q-Tip surprised me with a Nook Color for Christmas but when it comes to certain authors there's nothing like turning the paper pages. I've taught my grandchildren that books are a time machine...you can visit anyplace, anytime, anyone by picking up a book.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh the fantastic places you can travel to, within the pages of a book! I have not read these, thanks for the recommendation!
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  8. Books are wonderful aren't they. A distraction when one is needed. I must admit that I tend to sit or lie down, nose in a book oblivious to housework........... My sewing is not getting on as it should at the moment for just this reason.
    By the way, what are cinnamon rolls? (Sorry, writing from the UK, I hadn't heard of these.)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love when I get lost in a book!! Glad you enjoyed your weekend reading!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Once a good book or trilogy or series is found, reading can be a world away for us. I don't often read as I feel like I am shirking my chores or creativity however when I find a good author I just delve in and all is well with the world. I recently read Jodi Picoult's "House Rules" and was entranced with every word. My dear sister goes to the library (she has very little money) and reads as many as 22 books before they are due! So happy you found your continuing books. Happy week ahead...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Donna- sounds like me! Once I get my nose in a good book, everything else goes on hold. Reading is one of life's great pleasures.
    I will be forever grateful to the lady librarian who coaxed me into the library( I was waiting for a bus after doing some chores for my mother), when I was about 8 years old. I could not believe that I was actually allowed to take books home! I started with Enid Blyton's books mainly The Famous Five, and thus began my lifelong love of reading!! Sandy. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I need to tell Lindsey about these! I think she would love them! Enjoy! Twyla

    ReplyDelete
  13. i need to get these books, thanks for telling us about them! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh how fun! I would probably love them too! Isn't it fun to just spend some time in far away lands? Sounds like a perfect weekend Donna. Sometimes we all need a good book break. :)
    xx, shell

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna