The Illearth War Chapter 27 & wrap up.

[Earthfriend]

The Illearth War 27: Leper

With High Lord Elena’s fall, Covenant is wrenched from the Land, back to the ‘real world’. The ‘fiendish scream’ that assaulted his ears so gleefully at Gallows Howe (p.560), becomes the incessant sound of the telephone, which he clutches painfully in his hand.

[Earthfriend]

Wrap-up

Whoosh – where to begin
Though obviously the middle book of a trilogy, The Illearth War is densely packed with both narrative and plot. Many of the occurrences, such as Elena’s death and the genocide of the giants, have far reaching implications that the reader can assume will be addressed in later books.

Importantly, this book marks the first time the reader has heard from a viewpoint other than Covenant (I think that’s right, yes?). By telling the story from Hile Troy’s perspective, Donaldson clearly indicates to the reader that the Land is ‘real’. We now know that this story isn’t going to end with; ‘and then he woke up’, even if Covenant himself is still unsure of the Land’s validity.

By the end of the book, however, the question of Thomas’ unbelief is of far less importance, both to himself and the reader. By leaving himself open to a leprotic relapse in the final scene, Covenant claims possession of his actions in the Land – for all intensive purposes making those actions and the Land ‘real’ to him, and therefore to us, the readers.

Foul has not been defeated, that much is sure. Indeed, with the Staff of Law now lost and the Law of Death broken, High Lord Elena dead and the Bloodguard corrupted, Foul has definitely come out on top. But the defenders of the Land have made a brave showing. They have held to their Oath, and they have gained precious time; time to prepare for the war which is to come…

For myself, I find The Illearth War a treacherous book that puts me through the emotional wringer every time I read it! It is filled with the potential for hate and despair, filled with personal and moral loss. True, there is great beauty within its pages also – Revelstone and Revelwood, Glimmermere and Trothgard, the courage and honesty of Mhoram, the passionate intensity of Elena.

But I read this book weeping every time, for there is a sadness in the way Donaldson tells this tale that, for me, pervades every page. And of course, having read the rest of the Chronicles, I know how fleeting some of these wonders are…this book tugs at my heartstrings because it illuminates my need for the things I love to have permanency, an unattainable goal for any mortal. Gildenfire particularly exemplifies this need. Ahh, the giants…

Well, I hope I haven’t bummed everyone out! Thanks for reading this, and thanks for reminding me just how much I LOVE the Chronicles! (I can’t wait for The Power That Preserves! My favorite TC book!).

And a HUGE thanks to danlo for organizing this group read


Now there’s a task I wouldn’t even wish on a Raver! (Well. Maybe I would wish it on Turiya!!! )
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Stone and Sea are deep in life,
two unalterable symbols of the world;
permanence at rest, and permanence in motion;
participants in the Power that remains.

[Kinslaughterer]

I think the two Earths' have perfectly surmized the end of the Illearth War.
Don't we all gasp when hear Tull's Tale?
Or smile just a little when Amok riddles with the Lords?
Or even feel the terror of the vortex at Doriendor Corishev?
Or pump your fist when the bloodguard kill, , Kinslaughterer?
Maybe scream at that impotent rat bastard Covenant for not using the ring?
Or shout "NO" at Elena after she uses the Power of Command?
Or feel blind after Troy looses his sight again?
And you've agreed that we all held our breath as Bannor and TC escape from Earthroot.
_________________
"We do not follow maps to buried treasure, and remember:X never, ever, marks the spot."
- Professor Henry Jones Jr.

"Hither came Conan, the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandalled feet."

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[Reisheiruhime]