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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Somewhere in the future, million years from now, mankind as we know it is not even a memory. The Society is ill, at least that's how Severian, a young journeyman of the Guild of Torturers perceives it, until one night by chance he meets Vodalus, a mysterious people hero figure. That encounter changes everything. Well, that and meeting Thecla, the beautiful prisoner he's charged to guard. Everything from that moment marks the journey of Severian, not to his goal, the town of Thrax, but to something bigger, his hidden destiny.
It's hard to write anything more about "The Book of the New Sun" without reading all four books of tetralogy, as it seems that's how Gene envisioned it. At the end of each book, Severian, whose memoirs we're reading, is telling us that we can continue reading if we want to as if he teases us to find an answer hidden between the lines.
Wolfe is an intelligent writer, who does not serves us anything on a silver plate, but leaves us crumbs along the way. Blink, and you'll miss them. That's why he made Severian an unreliable narrator with eidetic memory, who tells us lies, here and there.
There are layers upon layers buried in Gene's writing, symbols, and metaphors. Some are clear, such as names of saints used for characters, or Christianity themes, but others need careful observation and digging to be found.
This is not a book for those used to the usual tropes of epic fantasy or worlds that copy each other, or those who want action. These are novels to be read carefully, not once, but more times to understand the genius of Gene Wolfe.
It's hard to write anything more about "The Book of the New Sun" without reading all four books of tetralogy, as it seems that's how Gene envisioned it. At the end of each book, Severian, whose memoirs we're reading, is telling us that we can continue reading if we want to as if he teases us to find an answer hidden between the lines.
Wolfe is an intelligent writer, who does not serves us anything on a silver plate, but leaves us crumbs along the way. Blink, and you'll miss them. That's why he made Severian an unreliable narrator with eidetic memory, who tells us lies, here and there.
There are layers upon layers buried in Gene's writing, symbols, and metaphors. Some are clear, such as names of saints used for characters, or Christianity themes, but others need careful observation and digging to be found.
This is not a book for those used to the usual tropes of epic fantasy or worlds that copy each other, or those who want action. These are novels to be read carefully, not once, but more times to understand the genius of Gene Wolfe.
I did enjoy this book quite a bit. The author uses many words where a few would suffice, thus often requiring the reader to re-read sentences to make sure it was read correctly. The author uses such epic language and detailed descriptions that very little seems to happen over the course of many pages. This also seems to magnify the fact that many of the plot devices are quite simple and somewhat disappointing after pages and pages of buildup. Having said all of this, this book was an enjoyable read and definitely recommended for those who appreciate language for language sake.
4/29/16 - I don't think I enjoyed this book as much the second time around. The biggest problem with this book is that there is no obvious plot or conflict. It's basically just a travelogue of Severian's wanderings and the various chicks that he hooks up with. I decided to re-read this series because I recently picked up The Urth of the New Sun, which is the 5th book in the series and I had only read the first 4. Now I'm kinda dreading having to get through books 3 and 4 to read the 5th one. It's always interesting to me the kinds of books that other authors/writers rave about vs. how the average reader feels about it.
12/24/21 - Third read. Funny how our perceptions change over time and upon our moods. I think for my second read of this book 5 years ago, I just wasn't in the mood for an esoteric and wordy sci-fi. As such, I only read Shadow & Claw and didn't even bother with Sword and Citadel. After some recent reddit debates about what constitutes "true" literature, I took it upon myself to read something at least adjacent-to, if not outright "literary fiction". I chose to read BotNS. It also helped that I somewhat recently received my beautiful Folio Society edition of BotNS.
I must say that I definitely enjoyed Shadow & Claw much more this time. I think a lot had to do with knowing that I was going to be reading a book that can be confusing, slow-moving, and verbose. I also decided going into it that I was going to read this a bit more carefully and less lazily. I took the time to look up some of the words that I was unclear on. All the words Wolfe uses in these books are real, but they are often very archaic. I was able to pick up on a lot more detail and I also just decided to go along with the story and not try to make it something it isn't (fast-paced, action-packed). I think this approach served me well as I have been thoroughly enjoying this read (I'm currently nearly half way through Sword & Citadel). This series definitely has its rewards for careful readers.
4/29/16 - I don't think I enjoyed this book as much the second time around. The biggest problem with this book is that there is no obvious plot or conflict. It's basically just a travelogue of Severian's wanderings and the various chicks that he hooks up with. I decided to re-read this series because I recently picked up The Urth of the New Sun, which is the 5th book in the series and I had only read the first 4. Now I'm kinda dreading having to get through books 3 and 4 to read the 5th one. It's always interesting to me the kinds of books that other authors/writers rave about vs. how the average reader feels about it.
12/24/21 - Third read. Funny how our perceptions change over time and upon our moods. I think for my second read of this book 5 years ago, I just wasn't in the mood for an esoteric and wordy sci-fi. As such, I only read Shadow & Claw and didn't even bother with Sword and Citadel. After some recent reddit debates about what constitutes "true" literature, I took it upon myself to read something at least adjacent-to, if not outright "literary fiction". I chose to read BotNS. It also helped that I somewhat recently received my beautiful Folio Society edition of BotNS.
I must say that I definitely enjoyed Shadow & Claw much more this time. I think a lot had to do with knowing that I was going to be reading a book that can be confusing, slow-moving, and verbose. I also decided going into it that I was going to read this a bit more carefully and less lazily. I took the time to look up some of the words that I was unclear on. All the words Wolfe uses in these books are real, but they are often very archaic. I was able to pick up on a lot more detail and I also just decided to go along with the story and not try to make it something it isn't (fast-paced, action-packed). I think this approach served me well as I have been thoroughly enjoying this read (I'm currently nearly half way through Sword & Citadel). This series definitely has its rewards for careful readers.
In the final reckoning there is only love, only that divinity. That we are capable only of being what we are remains our unforgivable sin.
Much of the this read like Chaucer on the hoof. There were certainly elements of Andrei Rublev and perhaps wee Oskar who refused to grow up. There was a refreshing evolution but there was too much obscured by language and deliberate opacity. This may be a preferable means of narrative, unbroken pages of infodump are a jar to the system. That said, the narrative unfolds with an imprisoned author scribbling his memoir on a planet named Urth in a time likely far in the future to our own blighted age. Matters have returned to a medieval realm of guilds, gods and wanton bloodshed. Plagues have yet to feature, though there's hope. My interest waxed and waned. The most intriguing development was the green man -- who alas, appeared and was gone.
Much of the this read like Chaucer on the hoof. There were certainly elements of Andrei Rublev and perhaps wee Oskar who refused to grow up. There was a refreshing evolution but there was too much obscured by language and deliberate opacity. This may be a preferable means of narrative, unbroken pages of infodump are a jar to the system. That said, the narrative unfolds with an imprisoned author scribbling his memoir on a planet named Urth in a time likely far in the future to our own blighted age. Matters have returned to a medieval realm of guilds, gods and wanton bloodshed. Plagues have yet to feature, though there's hope. My interest waxed and waned. The most intriguing development was the green man -- who alas, appeared and was gone.
Yowza. This was a beautifully written but mostly incomprehensible book. Sort of Tolkien meets china mieville and it all takes place in a world that has "moved on" in the dark tower. At times I went from a one star to five star rating in my progressive review which is on its face... as crazy as this book. Ultimately however no matter how well written a book is I have to ask myself "did I enjoy it" and ultimately the answer here is no. I felt enriched by it at times, and it was a rewarding and dense read, but I can't say I enjoyed it.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
A fever dream of a book. The story is very incomplete, and I feel like I can’t judge the book properly until I’ve read the second half.
It’s not an easy read, and not always pleasant, but there are a few amazing moments sprinkled throughout. And a fair share of misogyny from the narrator, our often unlikable main character…
It’s not an easy read, and not always pleasant, but there are a few amazing moments sprinkled throughout. And a fair share of misogyny from the narrator, our often unlikable main character…
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
A masterpiece. I went into this (my second read?) thinking it would be slow and dense but worth it; I was mistaken, it zooms along. So much there to discover and ruminate upon if you want it, but also an extremely interesting story if you're only able to see what's on the surface. His writing of "women" (who aren't really even people, unfortunately) is atrocious though, so be forewarned about that.
How does one capture the beauty of the sun in mere words....
I picked this up on my Kindle after hearing it was a masterpiece (probably on Reddit, always Reddit). It may well be, though having now finished only the first two collected works in the tetralogy I am not in a position to declare it so. It's written for a literary ear and the writing will carry you forward even when your interest wanes.
Of the two books, the first is the more conventional and I enjoyed it and looked forward to continuing the story. The 2nd book, "Claw", was all over the map - a series of strange encounters and allusions that are as fascinating as they are disjointed and difficult to follow.
"Shadow" by itself would have been a strong 3 rating, while "Claw" would have rated a weak 2 due to my having to will myself to finish it.
I plan to read the next collected volume to complete the tetralogy and perhaps then I'll be able to recommend this story, or not.
Of the two books, the first is the more conventional and I enjoyed it and looked forward to continuing the story. The 2nd book, "Claw", was all over the map - a series of strange encounters and allusions that are as fascinating as they are disjointed and difficult to follow.
"Shadow" by itself would have been a strong 3 rating, while "Claw" would have rated a weak 2 due to my having to will myself to finish it.
I plan to read the next collected volume to complete the tetralogy and perhaps then I'll be able to recommend this story, or not.