Listen free for 30 days

  • The Runes of the Earth

  • The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant
  • Written by: Stephen R. Donaldson
  • Narrated by: Scott Brick
  • Length: 27 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (10 ratings)

Try for $0.00
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Runes of the Earth cover art

The Runes of the Earth

Written by: Stephen R. Donaldson
Narrated by: Scott Brick
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $37.88

Buy Now for $37.88

Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Since their publication more than two decades ago, the initial six books in The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant series have sold more than six million copies and have been published in 10 countries around the world. Now, starting with The Runes of the Earth, Stephen R. Donaldson returns with a quartet of new Covenant novels that are certain to satisfy his millions of fans, and attract countless new followers.

In the original series, a man (living in our world and in our time) is mysteriously struck down with a disease long since believed to have been eradicated. He becomes a pariah in his small town and is abandoned by his wife who departs with their infant son. Alone and despairing, Thomas Covenant falls and, while unconscious, is transported to a fantastic world in which a battle for the soul of the land is being waged. Christened "The Unbeliever", for he is convinced the world is only an illusion, a dream, he finds himself slowly forced to accept the role that seems to be his destiny: savior of the Land.

At the end of the sixth book, Covenant is killed, both in the real world and in the Land, as his companion, Linden Avery, looks on in horror. His death is both the ultimate sacrifice...and his redemption.

At the opening of The Runes of Earth, 10 years have passed. Linden Avery comes home one day to find her child building images of the Land with blocks, and senses a terrible foreboding. She had thought that she would never again be summoned to the Land, nor ever again see her beloved Thomas Covenant. But in the Land, evil is unmaking the very laws of nature.
©2004 Stephen R. Donaldson (P)2004 Penguin Audio and Books on Tape, Inc.
Literature & Fiction Genre Fiction Epic
Show more Show less

What the critics say

“A reawakening of a classic fantasy saga.” (Library Journal)

“Startlingly original antiheroic fantasy resonating with echoes of both Tolkien and Philip K. Dick.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Impressive...filled with splendid inventions.” (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Runes of the Earth

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    4
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.ca reviews

Amazon Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for DJGrossauer

Donaldson never ceases to amaze.

A great start to, what is certainly going to be another epic fantasy series by Stephen R. Donaldson. Great work!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Judy C.

It’s okay

I had read the first two series of the Thomas Covenant chronicles in my younger years. I remember loving them. Listening to this instalment was okay. I had forgotten the anxiety filled fevered pitch of Steven R Donaldson’s writing. The constant hand wringing, self recriminations of his protagonists. It can be very descriptive and wordy without much actually taking place. It did not make me want to listen or read the next in the series.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!