To be honest - I picked up this book fully expecting not to like it at all. 'The Wounded Land' wasn't all bad - I loved Donaldson's gift for description, I loved how he couldn't let any of his characters 'sink' into perfection, and the Land was generally an interesting place. Ironically though, those very same imperfections made the book unbearably depressing - why would you care for the story if there's no reward for your emotional investment?And that same gift for description led to pages and pages of what I call 'state of mind' filler - Thomas Covenant is feeling angry and a touch er.. crazy? - twenty pages go into drilling that image into our heads! The pace was all shot, consequently, and 500 pages into the book, I was wondering if it could have been compressed into 100!Third: for all the buildup, the climax really wasn't 'epic' enough for me. I understand it was only the first in the series, but the massive amounts of descriptive prologue somehow whetted my appetite for a spectacular climax that didn't happen.I know I sound too harsh on a book (I think) I gave four stars to, but my intention is only to show how much better 'The One Tree' fares w.r.t these points.It's not that The One Tree is spectacularly pacy, or full of twists - that's not what this story, or Stephen Donaldson is about. It still has really verbose periods of heavy description, but they're tempered by periods of action. This combination really works for me; the story moves along at a reasonable clip, and the characters are immeasurably deep in their emotions. The difference with the characters, this time though, is that I start to care about them. I don't know if it's just me growing into the tenor of the series, but where Linden Avery's helpless hand wringing used to frustrate me in 'The Wounded Land' it draws empathy in 'The One Tree'. I know she's weak, I know she's no hero, but that *makes me root for her*. Thomas Covenant's guilts are not academic any more - they're what make him what he is.The passage set in the land of the Elohim ranks for me, as one of the finest pieces of high fantasy ever written. It has everything that makes fantasy so appealing - every syllable oozes magic, a magical perfection that is awe inspiring and perilous at the same time. And the climax! This time, I can have no complaints - it's spectacular beyond words. A peep into the fierce emotions behind the stone facade of the Haruchai, the Giantish capacity for great love to go along with their capacity for great cheer and empathy and bravery, Covenant's struggle to avoid his destiny, Linden Avery's efforts to break free of the shackles of her contradictions, the unknown goals of the Elohim, and the mythical One Tree of course, all come together in a way that leaves you supremely satisfied. And thoroughly saddened at the same time. I can't wait to pick up 'White Gold Wielder'.
Yet again, a review of the whole trilogy rather than each individual book. No spoilers of the story variety. The gist, for those who want to skip the lengthy review: these three books are more action-packed and immediately engaging than the previous trilogy, and Donaldson continued to hold true to the strengths that made the first novels a pleasure to read.This trilogy was the better written, for me. More action packed, more events-driven and easier to get into. The horrors being wrought on the Land are a testament to Donaldson's originality, and seem worse than anything that came before.The scope of the World beyond the Land's borders is also greatly widened, introducing exotic new locales, people and races. Yet again, the wonders of the author's imagination are a pleasure to behold.Thomas Covenant is accompanied by a new protagonist, Linden Avery. Yet again, their inner conflicts have an effect on the world around them. Resolving their demons is paramount to saving the world they love.
What do You think about The One Tree (1997)?
THE ONE TREE ends inconclusively with the party having achieved nothing. This is my primary frustration with this book and the reason it is the only book in the entire series I did not like at all.The pace of the book is ponderously slow with page after page of lugubrious introspection on Linden’s part. This book does develop her character a great deal. But she is revealed as a pitiful, mousy person full of self loathing. Perhaps Donaldson was trying to make her more pitiful than Covenant. But at least Covenant was defiantly pitiful and self loathing.The two diversions both feel like they were tacked on to pad the story. Findail does become essential to the story later. But he joins the party early in this book and is set on the foredeck of the ship, out of the reader’s way and out of his mind. That seems like cheating a little. The trip to Bhraithar is a pointless diversion that adds nothing to the central story.Donaldson spends almost 500 pages in taking the reader on a doomed quest that accomplishes little and reveals nothing. I understand the concept of a trilogy and how each book is but one segment of a story. But each segment must advance the central plot. In The One Tree, Donaldson zigs and zags around, but doesn’t take us anywhere.
—Brian Schwartz
I've already reviewed the previous books in this huge, awesome series, and my feelings are the same. I always put this one towards the top of the Covenant list, because it has the advantage of being the middle book in a trilogy. It's darker, lots of stuff happens, and it ends on a down note- one of those "oh my god what just happened?" type of vibe. Same as the Illearth War from the first series. Here, Linden Avery gets more depth, the Haruchi (ex bloodguard) are much more explored and, of course, giants! I would by no means recommend using this book as a starting point into the series, but if you liked the original trilogy you should like this second batch of books for sure. One question for Amazon though- why is the are all the Covenant books available on Kindle (Including the entire third trilogy and the fourth, "concluding" book)EXCEPT for the one after this? So weird. Hopefully they work that out soon.
—jersey9000
Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery begin their search for the One Tree that is to be the salvation of the Land. Only he could find the answer and forge a new Staff of Law--but fate decreed that the journey was to be long, the quest arduous, and quite possibly a failure.... ### From the Publisher These books have never received the recognition they deserve. It's one of the most powerful and complex fantasy trilogies since Lord of the Rings, but Donaldson is not just another Tolkien wanabee. Each character-driven book introduces unexpected plots, sub-plots, and a host of magical beings so believably rendered you'd believe you might bump into them on your way to the bookstore. --Alex Klapwald, Director of Production ### From the Inside Flap Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery begin their search for the One Tree that is to be the salvation of the Land. Only he could find the answer and forge a new Staff of Law--but fate decreed that the journey was to be long, the quest arduous, and quite possibly a failure....
—Andrew Wilson
