

Loading... The Shadow of the Torturer (original 1980; edition 1991)by Gene Wolfe (Author)
Work InformationThe Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe (Author) (1980) ![]()
I like the prose style. ( ![]() This was a very interesting read. Gene Wolfe creates an absolutely fascinating world on the page with each word he chooses - and he chooses well. He writes excellent prose. My only problem is with how the female characters are written, an all-too-common problem in fantasy and science fiction. In this case, I'm not entirely sure if this is a feature or a bug, so to speak. I also think that it's a pretty slow read, so I chose not to continue on to the sequel. I like Gene Wolfe's books and I respect them a lot. I've always considered the fact that I don't love them (except maybe the Death of Dr Island collection) as a failure on my part. I don't get emotionally caught up in them. Shadow is picaresque, not as humorous as many, but not as grim as it might seem given the point of view is that of a journeyman torturer. The setting is (or appears to be, since this Wolfe) a far future Dying Earth set up, combined with a Gormeghastian massive citadel that the protagonist barely gets to the edge of in the first book. Companions are collected, but I make not assumptions about how many will still be there with the next volume. Like a speaker who needs no introduction, the Book of the New Sun is a series that needs no recommendation. Read it. I could barely get through the book. Did not find it an enjoyable read. Re-reading what it probably my favourite series of books. no reviews | add a review
Belongs to SeriesSolar Cycle (1) Belongs to Publisher SeriesFolio SF (348) Heyne Science Fiction & Fantasy (06/4063) Présence du futur (321) Is contained in
The Shadow of the Torturer is the first volume in the four-volume epic, the tale of a young Severian, an apprentice to the Guild of Torturers on the world called Urth, exiled for committing the ultimate sin of his profession--showing mercy towards his victim. No library descriptions found.
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![]() GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.54 — Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1945-1999LC ClassificationRatingAverage:![]()
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