The Book of the New Sun
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Liked It2 of 2 members found this review helpful “A million years in the future, history has collapsed under its own weight. Aliens have condemned humanity to remain trapped on their own world and shortened the lifespan of the sun as well. The fate of Urth rests with a young member of the torturer's guild exiled for the transgression of...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I bought this book after reading several positive reviews, including one that described it as "heartbreakingly good." I'm afraid not. There's the seed of a great story here, somewhere -maybe in later installments, but if you can't hook me by the end of the first 300 pages then I'm not investing...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“The Shadow of the Torturer (198o) 210 pages by Gene Wolfe
John L wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
My friend came to town over Thanksgiving and recommended Gene Wolfe to me. So I looked him up, and saw good things about him, especially the Book of the New Sun.
The tale is recounted in first person by Severian. So every once in a while he mentions something that hasn't happened yet, such as his being kicked out of the guild. Which doesn't happen until half way through the book. We start off with Severian as an apprentice in the Order of the seekers for Truth and Penitence, the torturer's guild.
Sevarian and his friends were out for a swim, when Severian got tangled in the roots of a plant while underwater and nearly drowned. By the time he was recovered enough to walk back the gates were locked, and that's where chapter 1 starts. Anyway they get in, there are two other groups, skirmish, Sevarian removes himself from a bystander role for a couple of minutes, then the story picks up with his life in the guild. Two of his friends make journeyman in the guild, a year later it's Severian's time to become a journeyman.
In Lord of the Rings, first chapter, we have to take the ring and throw it in the fire of Mount Doom. None of that here. We have very little idea of where the story is going. We have no real knowledge of conflict of the outside world. Severian has several mini-adventures in the book, but we don't see anything world shattering, such as the common people being extremely oppressed, or a meteor headed straight for the planet. Right now it looks like Severian is on his way to
get a job in Thrax (a city far away from Nessus) as it's carnifex (executioner).
The Claw of the Conciliator (1981) 200 pages
In Claw we get some inkling of the overall plot. Evidently there is a faction that would like humanity to regain its starfaring ways, and another faction that would like to keep the status quo. That brief conversation with Vodalus was just part of Severian's journey to Thrax.
Shortly after Severian left the Citidel, he came into possession of the Claw. Once he knew that he had it a second task for him was to find the Order of the Pelerines and return it to them. I don't want to give away too much of the plot, so I'll leave it at that.
I'm about a quarter of the way through the second half of The Book of the New Sun, and except for exceedingly high expectations the books have been very good. I recommend reading the appendicies first. Wolfe defines some of the terms used in the books, which you would otherwise have to infer from context. There is still a lot of that.
I won't say that the Book of the Sun is the greatest SF novel of the past century, but, so far, it appears well worth reading. ”“I bought this book after reading several positive reviews, including one that described it as "heartbreakingly good." I'm afraid not. There's the seed of a great story here, somewhere -maybe in later installments, but if you can't hook me by the end of the first 300 pages then I'm not investing in the second 300 pages. I started to get suspicious when I finished the first 200 pages and had NO idea what the story was even about. There's a complete lack of conflict. At all. The writer tries to introduce some intrigue but it's not all that intriguing. Characterisations are somewhat shallow, typical fantasy-fare, masculine heroes, over-sexualized women and Shady Types aplenty. [Eyes roll] Stick to Lord of the Rings or pick up Wise Man's Fear.”
Kai P wrote this review Thursday, October 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“A deep, dark drama (I'm paid by the D's) that walks between complexity and incomprehensibility. Wolfe has a writing style that doesn't tell you what you're looking at. He paints a picture and lets you fill in the details. Fantastic if you have the will to go for it, but if you're looking for a light read, look elsewhere!
Lindz L wrote this review Friday, October 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
What I pulled most from this book was his contrast between justice and mercy. Its parallels with Christianity are rich and complex, surpassing C S Lewis (and maybe Tolkien, but only because I am disillusioned with the Lord of the Rings series), in my book. Reading this book brought me back to the realisation that Christ's sacrifice was not a sappy event to be sung about at Easter, but a stark, desolate scene in human existence.
This book is not sunny, nor is it easy to read. Reading this book for entertainment would be like watching Schindler's List for the laughs. It deals with murder, suicide, torture, incest, depression, loneliness and more in the stark alien world of the years to come. Even its setting is dark - the sun is literally dying.
In the same vein, Wolfe's points are emphatically not easy to pick out. It's not "Christian fiction" like In His Steps, where you understand what you're supposed to learn from reading the back blurb. In fact, I think you have to have a strong understanding of the Christian faith to even notice some of the points he makes - which I think is somewhat the point. He is pulling Christians away from their 'fluffy' faith and pointing out that all is not lovely in the world, and demanding that you deal with it.
So if you're wanting to take this book to the next level, look for the following. Look for images of a broken Christ. There is no single "Christ" figure, but pieces of His character are scattered throughout the people in the book. Look at how mercy affects Severian's life - at each point where he shows mercy, his life is dramatically altered. And especially ask how mercy and justice intertwine - can there be one without the other?”
“Not as good as i hoped.”
Leep313 wrote this review Friday, October 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I could only make it 24 pages in. Fans praise its complexity, but for me, it was just confusing. The voice of the main character strikes me as pretentious, the complexity I have encountered so far is not the rich, layered form of complex that I am used to and love, but a confused mish mash of bizarre scenes. After the first scene, which was great, I had trouble feeling immersed in the story, and by 20 pages my interest was rapidly waining.”
Nick G wrote this review Friday, October 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It was like a lizard, but also like a flower. Also, I'm pretty sure it reshaped my head in it's own image, the bastard.
Ki wrote this review Sunday, September 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I still cannot say if I love this book madly or if I find it disreputable.
IT TOYS WITH MY HEART AND BRAIN, and I base these 3970374 stars on the idea that I want everyone else to read it too and provide me with help and support.”
“This is a fantastic book that brings science fiction to a whole new level of complexity.”
Jay-Guar wrote this review Sunday, February 22 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This book series transports the reader beyond the realms of Sci Fi and Fantasy and into the more rarefied air of great literature.”
peter wrote this review Tuesday, June 10 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
