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Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
Stephen R. Donaldson
Top 20

Non-stop, high-fantasy epic. The most hard to stop reading series I've encountered. From one fascinating environment to the next, unforgettable characters weave a dark psychological tale of struggle and apotheosis.

Far from any namby-pamby, love-and-light, goody-goody adventure; this serious story evolves on both an external, environmental level as well as a personal, internal journey. At heart, it's the conflict between good and evil. But this is no simplistic, black-and-white simulation - ever-deepening layers of subtleties engage and puzzle.

Some readers say this was too "dark" for them to read and that they couldn't get far into it. Indeed, a description of experiencing leprosy won't rank high on many people's escapist fiction list. And while Thomas Covenant's external struggles, although extremely difficult and vivid, won't disturb most people too much (with at least two exceptions); his inner wrestling with self-confidence and doubt may prove too familiar and challenging. David Pringle includes this in his list of "The Hundred Best Modern Fantasy Novels", but adds "It is odd that a work which is so difficult to read should have become so popular."

But don't be dissuaded! Going through this soul-searching process with Thomas includes myriad jewels of insight and delight. Awe-exploding adventures keep fingers clinging to the book. Fireworks-color worlds ignite on the pages. Archetypal characters like the wise old man Lord Mohram, the best friend giant, Saltheart Foamfollower and the rock-like loyal Bannon blaze a place into our consciousness and remain friends for life.

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