Ah, Covenant is really distinct from Tolkien. Not so much in the world building (giants, etc) but in the appalling pain and self obsession of Thomas Covenant.

Ah, Covenant is really distinct from Tolkien. Not so much in the world building (giants, etc) but in the appalling pain and self obsession of Thomas Covenant. It took me 3 attempts to finish the first book, but after that I was hooked for the first two series.