Gene Wolfe's masterwork. Very rich language, very challenging prose, exotic settings, a plot that needs some deciphering. A must read! ( )

Gene Wolfe's masterwork. Very rich language, very challenging prose, exotic settings, a plot that needs some deciphering. A must read! ( )

This book is really complicated and difficult to understand because it is written in a highly developed and detailed world the author has created. Wolfe also has a very strange writing style--he writes in first person narration but the narrator, Severian, is very untrustworthy and skips over things sometimes, meaning that the reader has to figure a lot of stuff out for themselves. From what I can tell people either love or hate Wolfe's style, and in my case I love it. ( )

First half of the Book of the New Sun tetralogy. So different than the run-of-the-mill postindustrial SFF world. In fact, for most of the first book, it isn’t clear whether this is a postindustrial or some kind of alternate medieval world. The language style is more epic and formal than most, too. But how can I not be impressed by a story that is not only metatextual, but at one point has two characters discuss semiotics, in a perfectly natural way? ( )

I can feel and understand the genius of this work but I am -at least at this stage in my life- unable to express my feelings of admiration for this work and delight thereof. Suffice it to say, I still can not believe such a work can be created by a human being. I can not begin to understand the workings of such a mind especially when it comes to understanding the ability of expression of such complicated thoughts,impressions,ideas beautifully and pampering the intelligence of the reader.

It is a must read but beware it is hard to tackle. If you persevere, you will be rewarded more than fairly. ( )

"Someone fired a pistol. The bolt set his costume afire, but must have missed his body. Several exultants had drawn their swords, and someone -- I could not see who -- possessed that rarest of all weapons, a dream. It moved like tyrian smoke..."

This volume collects the first two books of the four that comprise The Book of the New Sun. The whole series is considered classic, and these two books won awards on their original publication. They're highly regarded, and enduringly popular.

At times, it's easy to see why. The world through which the characters move is rich, detailed, and imaginative. Wolfe tells the story in the first person, through the eyes of Severian -- an apprentice to the guild of torturers, cast out from his home and trying to find his way. His voice is grim, thoughtful, and vastly different from that of a typical fantasy hero. When it works, the reader is drawn into a wonderful world, with subtle philosophies at play. Severian is very moral in some ways, and very amoral in others, and it makes for an arresting journey.

And yet these books can be incredibly frustrating at times. Wolfe leaves out so much that it is often impossible to maintain an emotional connection with his characters. For example, Severian meets the rebel leader Vodalus early in his life; this encounter influences him greatly; he more or less declares his loyalty to this man above all else; and yet we never have any indication of why.

Wolfe seems to be more interested in creating a work of art than a narrative. The narrative, as a result, suffers greatly in places. Fortunately, the art is impressive enough that he gets away with it. Recommended, but only to patient readers. ( )

this book is hard core. Not sure I understood everything that was going on, but I couldn't put it down. Brilliant. ( )

http://nhw.livejournal.com/432819.htm... ( )

Rated as one of the best science fiction stories ever written, this book follows the story of Severian, a journeyman in the Guild of Torturers, who is cast out of the tower for permitting a client to suicide rather than face her allocated punishment. At times incomprehensible, I found that this book started slow and ended puzzlingly, but in the middle it was compelling and difficult to put down. An excellent read. ( )

Holy crap.

Had me walking around in a daze for a week after finishing.

Maybe some day my insignificant intellectual capabilities will muster enough insight and wit to give this masterpiece something approaching the review it deserves. Until then, I'll just nod in stupefied agreement with all the other folks who gave it 5 stars.

Note: this applies to both the first half ("Shadow and Claw") and second half ("Sword and Citadel") of the New Sun tetralogy, For maximum appreciation, follow up with "Urth of the New Sun", if your head hasn't exploded yet. ( )

This is like the Tolstoy of fantasy/sci-fi (it's a bit of a hybrid of the two); in other words, it's literature rather than pulp fiction, so don't expect fast action and cartoon characters. The idea behind it, from what I understand, is studying what the narrator leaves out and doesn't dwell on, as much as on what he describes. I have to confess, I pretty much just read it for the story and all that went over my head, but looking back I can sort of see what other reviewers are getting at. This deserves a re-read, if ever I've the patience, time and inclination. ( )

Actually, I'm a bit stymied as to what to say here. I can tell you that I was wholly blown away by this book -- not just the story, but the writing, the structure, the postmodern/metafictional aspect of it, pretty much all of it. Myself, I LOVE stories where the narrator is wholly unreliable -- the case here and you learn that right off the bat.

To try to even begin to synopsize would end up all jumbled, so I'll refer you to a review I found online that will be more helpful:

http://www.infinityplus.co.uk/nonfict...

This review-synopsis will tell you all you need to know; it is thorough enough so that if you haven't yet read this one, you'll get a feel for it, without spoilers to wreck it for you.

As for me, well, I'm still a relative newbie at fantasy, so I'm planning on following the Fantasy Masterworks series list as a guide. I think anyone who enjoys a good mix of SF and Fantasy would really be happy to read this book, as would anyone who doesn't mind that there are no hard and fast answers here. If you want everything spelled out for yourself, then please! Don't pick up this book. Plus, you must realize that this volume comprises only the first two books of Severian's story (and that of our Earth in the far, far distant future), so (I'm thinking) perhaps revelations will come in the form of the next volume, which I just bought.

Fanbloodytastic -- and truly one of those books NOT to be missed. ( )

A series unlike anything else you have ever read in any genre. Reading Wolfe, especially in this series, is to me very much like reading a painting. He can be tough to follow so reading this book does require you to think, as he makes extensive use of metaphors to paint the picture/story for you and time lines are mixed together with little explanation. That said, I found it be a very rewarding read, unique all around and easily one of the best sci-fi/fantasy stories ever written. ( )

Started this long ago. Good, but dense. Deserves another try.

Finished the first book. It seemed less daunting the second time through. Wolfe immerses you in a world where familiar words and assumptions turn out to have surprising meanings. I'm interested to see where the story goes.

Ok. Finally finished the second book. More overt SF, but still pretty deeply immersed in symbolism, it seems. I'm not totally sure I'm going to keep going. ( )

Wow. I am embarrassed sometimes to admit that I am a fantasy & sci fi fan, because so much of it is so bad. It is often years (for me) between discoveries of major talent in these genres - the best-selling stuff is typically written and marketed for adolescents. Wolfe's New Sun novels are a mature, accomplished vision - Swiftean and macabre, reminescent of Herbert at his best.

This book only pays off with effort. I am not the most well read person and I found this book tough. I was often unsure what was going on and had to re read certain parts. However the author has produced a truly original book with a great story line. The main character is exceptional as are all the concepts. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy and who wants to read more challenging novels. I'm sure some of the books meaning was lost on me. For instance I read in another review that The lead character, who tells the story, constantly lies to the reader. This seems like a really good idea but I cant say I noticed it happening at all. ( )

At first I found the number of unfamiliar terms a bit bewildering, but after I discovered the appendices at the end of books 1 and 2, I got my bearings a bit more and found it more interesting.

I've finished the first part (book 1), and I will keep going despite the narrator's invitation to stop at that point. I'll also keep my eye out for volume 2 (books 3 and 4).

Having finished book 2, I think I would have given up at that point if I hadn't already bought volume 2. I found the story too episodic. Although some episodes were interesting, most weren't and I was struggling to maintain any interest in the overall story arc. It was only sheer stubbornness and determination to finish the whole thing that kept me going. ( )

Heavy going, but arguably the greatest achievement in SF/fantasy literature since Lord of the Rings. This secured Wolfe's enduring reputation as a literary artist. ( )

This is one of the greates fiction books written ever. It is a true masterpiece. It works and suceeds on every level. ( )