Kindle
$3.99
Available instantly
Audible Logo Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial
Leather Bound
from $259.99
Paperback
$9.97
Buy used: $9.97
FREE delivery May 6 - 7. Details
Or fastest delivery April 30 - May 2. Details
Used: Acceptable | Details
Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta
Condition: Used: Acceptable
Comment: Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Stephen R. Donaldson
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Lord Foul's Bane (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 1) Paperback – June 23, 1997

by Stephen R. Donaldson (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,661 ratings
See all formats and editions
The first book in one of the most remarkable epic fantasies ever written, the Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, Unbeliever.
He called himself Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever because he dared not believe in the strange alternate world in which he suddenly found himself. Yet he was tempted to believe, to fight for the Land, to be the reincarnation of its greatest hero....
THE CHRONICLES OF THOMAS COVENANT THE UNBELIEVER
Book One: LORD FOUL'S BANE
Book Two: THE ILLEARTH WAR
Book Three: THE POWER THAT PRESERVES
Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant The Unbeliever
  2. Print length
    494 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Del Rey
  5. Publication date
    June 23, 1997
  6. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    0345418433
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0345418432
  9. See all details
Next page
Books with Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Del Rey (June 23, 1997)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 494 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0345418433
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0345418432
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,661 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Stephen R. Donaldson

Stephen R. Donaldson

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
3,661 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Shawn M. Warswick
5.0 out of 5 stars Classic in any Genre
Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2006
Verified Purchase
Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series was first introduced to me back in high school in the mid 80's and, 20 years later, it has lost nothing. Having recently re-read the first book and starting on the second I thought I'd take the time to review what should be, by all rights, considered a classic series(certainly a classic fantasy series).

The first thing I noticed when reading the novel was it's originality. This series is quite original, which is rare in the fantasy genre. There are the inevitable comparisons to Tolkien, which is expected, yet shows a lack of cosideration. These novels are more than Tolkien wanna-be's. These novels are truly original giants in a world where originallity is extremely rare. A prime example is his extensive use of Giants and Ur-Villes, rather than the usual Dwarves and Elves, Goblins and Orcs of most fantasy writers (the exception being George Martin and Donaldson).

Not only is Donaldson original, he is a true wordsmith. His extensive vocabulary is shown off, as is his command of the English language. He truly constructs some amazing sentences, which again you don't find in most modern fantasy literature.

Finally, I truly love Donaldson's characterization skills. He people's his world with folk whom you almost expect to meet. They jump out at you, and even though the "hero" is very contemptible in many ways, he is a character of such depth, such complexity, you can't help but read more.

All in all, these books are amazing. They put to shame people like Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind. Too bad there aren't more fantasy writers with Donaldson's skills.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Ritesh Laud
4.0 out of 5 stars Is it all a dream? If so, a darn good one!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2003
Verified Purchase
I'd heard a lot about this series over the years and finally decided to dive in. Lord Foul's Bane begins a fantasy trilogy set in a land known simply as, well, The Land. Actually, the book begins in 20th century America down South somewhere (Louisiana is mentioned as being nearby). We learn the bitter protagonist Thomas Covenant's background: soon after writing a successful book he contracts leprosy and becomes an outcast of society almost overnight, losing his wife, son, and friends. In addition, every day becomes a gamble of the disease killing more nerves in his extremities if Covenant doesn't keep a vigilant watch for physical damage and the ensuing infection. Donaldson depicts Covenant's deplorable situation admirably, and his decision to make a leper the hero of his series certainly makes for a unique start.
Though the novel begins in the U.S., a scant 30 pages into it Covenant suffers an accident and is whisked away to The Land, a classic fantasy setting similar to many others in books you may have read. Covenant soon christens himself The Unbeliever because he thinks he's dreaming. Is he? Well that question isn't really answered in this book, but if so it's one heck of a dream! I was greatly intrigued by this connection to the "real world" and hope to see this question resolved by the end of the series.
The story is enjoyable but standard good versus evil, swords and sorcery. With the added twist of Covenant, the stranger from another world with a magic wedding ring that he doesn't know how to wield. Donaldson's writing is excellent, especially with regard to renditions of settings and battle. Characterization of Covenant and a couple others is quite good (i.e. Foamfollower), but the majority of the characters all seem to have about the same personality: heroic, strong, somewhat bland. Covenant himself is frustratingly bitter and negative, not the sort of guy you'd want your kids to hang around with (and they wouldn't want to either). So bitter that it's hard to believe he was a nice guy before the onset of leprosy. The pacing of the story is perfect for most of the novel but seems a bit rushed for the last 100 pages or so. Nevertheless, the climactic final battle is a real page turner!
I recommend this as an excellent beginning to, by all accounts, one of the best fantasy series around. I just started the sequel (The Illearth War) and am anxious to see how Lord Foul meets his demise! Painfully, I hope.
17 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Brian S. Dodd
5.0 out of 5 stars Another angle
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2007
Verified Purchase
I have read this series multiple times and am humored by the negative comments here. Highminded reproach of the Covenant is silly because that is exactly the authors point.

I belive the author uses the C.S. Lewis tool of the space trilogy here. The earthly characters are deeply flawed and are longing for better relations although unsure how to do this. They are introduced to a world that is not tainted by our "sins". Lewis' contrast is more, with the good angels and evil. This contrast is what sold me on the Donaldson series.

The characters of the heroes are what we should aspire to. They are a like a light box and us/Covenant the X-ray. Banor the blood guard and Saltheart Foamfollower are the courage and faithfullness we want to be. It, I believe, is a image of the man prior to the fall in Eden.

Who would ever want to return to the world of leprocy. A world where people can't feel. This is a picture of a world of emotional numbness and fear, our earth. The Land, a term used to describe the alternate world, is lifegiving and makes one sensate.

Covenant responds to this new environ with a rape. This is the seminal moment in the series. He does not believe it is real. It is a fantasy of rape if you will. Completly detestable. It is what we would be like around a "pure world". Not rape per-se but destruction and entropy to follow. Like Covenant we need a remedy.

The Land is sick because of evil gaining power. There are places where evil has no sway. These places are called Andelain(sp?). An oasis of pure good, where the soul and flesh are nourished. I wish this were the Church to modern man.

Some will still abhor this book because of the complicated anti-hero. I see him as a bit part. He is the black against the white seen in the pure heroes in the series. In this series the ring weilder is carried, dragged to his mount Doom. That is the point. The people of the land are the heroes.

Thomas (the doubter of Jesus) the unbeliever. Covenant- the gift of commitment by God to man. Donaldson is the son of christian missionaries and this perspective shines through.

I would and have given this book to many. It is a good allagory. I think the second series is weaker but still potent in the character of pitchwife.
10 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Mimi diamond
5.0 out of 5 stars First encounter with Thomas Covenant
Reviewed in Italy on February 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
It's the first book of the series (10 novels in total) and since the beginning Thomas Covenant is a hideous character. But the Land and its inhabitants are fantastic. I read it in Italian long ago, now I finally have all the series in English.
Report
Gaëtan De Lange
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
Reviewed in Belgium on September 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Beautiful cover and good story
Report
Felipe
5.0 out of 5 stars Una verdadera fantasía científica
Reviewed in Spain on May 12, 2021
Verified Purchase
sta serie está muy bien escrita. Puedes imaginarte inmerso en el vívido paisaje y cara a cara con los personajes.
Una serie que volverás a leer muchas veces y en cada ocasión te maravillarás de la cizalla de imaginación necesaria para pintar un cuadro tan fantástico.
Report
Robert J. Small
5.0 out of 5 stars So far so good
Reviewed in Canada on April 28, 2019
Verified Purchase
Love it so far...on the reading list 40 years ago...finally got to it...glad to see 7 more books in the series than I thought...plan to read all 10.
Report
Rager
5.0 out of 5 stars Erster Band der Thomas Covenant-Reihe
Reviewed in Germany on March 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
Ich kenne das Buch schon seit Ewigkeiten, für mich ist das die spannendste und gelungenste Fantasy-Reihe überhaupt
One person found this helpful
 Report