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I'd like to recommend Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" to fans of the Malazan series.
Technically it's classified as SF, because it takes place in the remote future of Earth (Urth) but other than that, it's a fantasy adventure sequence.
If you're looking for something challenging, complex, weird, bizarre, fascinating, and unusual, this should fill the bill. I read the first two books twice and there are still numerous details I missed.
Of course Wolfe's style is quite different from Erikson's (it's a bit reminiscent of Jack Vance in spots) but it's very rich, dense, and creates a dramatic atmosphere. If you don't like simplistic stories, be assured: there are no "good guys vs. bad guys" in this tale.
The four titles are: The Shadow of the Torturer, The Claw of the Conciliator, The Sword of the Lictor, and the Citadel of the Autarch. A few years later Wolfe added a sequel, The Urth of the New Sun.
You'll need to pay attention when reading these; as in the Malazan books, there is a *lot* going on.
Gene Wolfe
#2
ObsoleteResolve 
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Posted 11 August 2005 - 04:34 AM
I'm about a quarter through The Claw (Got the TPB "Shadow and Claw") and just... I don't know. I can't read much more. He's got an interesting style, but... I don't know. I can't describe it. Severian does rock, though.
Of course, I was also trying to read (note, keyword, IMPORTANT: TRYING) The Fifth Head of Cerberus and that made my brain meats hurt so very, very bad. Awful pain. It was really thought provoking, but so very dense.
I should probably pick Shadow & Claw back up. Eventually.
.david
Of course, I was also trying to read (note, keyword, IMPORTANT: TRYING) The Fifth Head of Cerberus and that made my brain meats hurt so very, very bad. Awful pain. It was really thought provoking, but so very dense.
I should probably pick Shadow & Claw back up. Eventually.
.david
"Say what you will about the sweet miracle of unquestioning faith, I consider a capacity for it terrifying and absolutely vile!"- Kurt Vonnegut
#3 Guest_Alric seVinta_*
Posted 11 August 2005 - 06:45 PM
If you're looking for a more accessible Wolfe read, try picking up his recent two-book series The Wizard Knight... comprised of The Knight and The Wizard. The books are fantasy, and they're written in a old high fantasy style... basically a quest. They are trademark Gene Wolfe, but they are much easier to read than his scifi masterpiece The Book of the New Sun and his Fantasy masterpiece Latro in the Mist.
Awesome author, and a great suggestion.
Awesome author, and a great suggestion.
#4
Brys
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Posted 13 August 2005 - 02:03 PM
grrmfan100 said:
I'd like to recommend Gene Wolfe's "Book of the New Sun" to fans of the Malazan series.
Technically it's classified as SF, because it takes place in the remote future of Earth (Urth) but other than that, it's a fantasy adventure sequence.
If you're looking for something challenging, complex, weird, bizarre, fascinating, and unusual, this should fill the bill. I read the first two books twice and there are still numerous details I missed.
Of course Wolfe's style is quite different from Erikson's (it's a bit reminiscent of Jack Vance in spots) but it's very rich, dense, and creates a dramatic atmosphere. If you don't like simplistic stories, be assured: there are no "good guys vs. bad guys" in this tale.
The four titles are: The Shadow of the Torturer, The Claw of the Conciliator, The Sword of the Lictor, and the Citadel of the Autarch. A few years later Wolfe added a sequel, The Urth of the New Sun.
You'll need to pay attention when reading these; as in the Malazan books, there is a *lot* going on.
Technically it's classified as SF, because it takes place in the remote future of Earth (Urth) but other than that, it's a fantasy adventure sequence.
If you're looking for something challenging, complex, weird, bizarre, fascinating, and unusual, this should fill the bill. I read the first two books twice and there are still numerous details I missed.
Of course Wolfe's style is quite different from Erikson's (it's a bit reminiscent of Jack Vance in spots) but it's very rich, dense, and creates a dramatic atmosphere. If you don't like simplistic stories, be assured: there are no "good guys vs. bad guys" in this tale.
The four titles are: The Shadow of the Torturer, The Claw of the Conciliator, The Sword of the Lictor, and the Citadel of the Autarch. A few years later Wolfe added a sequel, The Urth of the New Sun.
You'll need to pay attention when reading these; as in the Malazan books, there is a *lot* going on.
Technically, it's classified as science fantasy, because there are elements of both science fiction and fantasy. BTW, the time setting of a novel has nothing to do with whether it's science fiction or fantasy. Science fiction explains the strange through scientific explanations, while those in fantasy are magical.
I've read the first two (Shadow and Claw), but not the others yet, because I haven't got around to getting them. They were excellent, with a very complex style, which was strangely readable at the same time. I don't think that overall they're nearly as good as the Malazan books, but I think Gene Wolfe is a far better writer (ie in quality and use of language) than Erikson. His books completely split the fantasy community though. Some hate him because of the meandering plot, others love him for it.
#5 Guest_Jay Tomio_*
Posted 16 August 2005 - 09:54 PM
Wolfe is just exceptional. Of course I loved 'Book of the New Sun', but his 'Fifth Head of Cerbrus' was excellent as well, as his 'Latro' work (nicely colelcted i nan omnibus) is also worth a look.
His 'Wizard/Knight' duology really just goes to show a good writer can make even tropes and archtypes absolutely fascianting His collections (of his short work) are worth a strong look as well.
One of the truly outstanding writers in the genre.
His 'Wizard/Knight' duology really just goes to show a good writer can make even tropes and archtypes absolutely fascianting His collections (of his short work) are worth a strong look as well.
One of the truly outstanding writers in the genre.
#6 Guest_bluesman_*
Posted 17 August 2005 - 03:49 AM
I'm a bit split on these books. I don't quite like the way he cuts up his story. The way he ends a chapter with something interesting happening, then the next chapter it already passed by.
It's a bit like Katherine Kerr:s "circle" story telling. Some like it and some don't.
The stories were facinating but I personally had problems with his technique.
BM
It's a bit like Katherine Kerr:s "circle" story telling. Some like it and some don't.
The stories were facinating but I personally had problems with his technique.
BM
#7 Guest_grrmfan100_*
Posted 17 August 2005 - 06:46 AM
Like "Gardens of the Moon", I found that "Shadow of the Torturer" and "Claw of the Conciliator" were much easier to read the second time around.
I read "Shadow", later picked up "Claw" and got bogged down in it. Some time later, I started over at the beginning and read all four books in a week.
With GotM, I got bogged down the first time after about 75 pages, but found it much easier when I started over. Part of the problem was that I picked up GotM when I was in the middle of another book, and was going back and forth between the two. This was obviously not a wise policy.
I read "Shadow", later picked up "Claw" and got bogged down in it. Some time later, I started over at the beginning and read all four books in a week.
With GotM, I got bogged down the first time after about 75 pages, but found it much easier when I started over. Part of the problem was that I picked up GotM when I was in the middle of another book, and was going back and forth between the two. This was obviously not a wise policy.
#9 Guest_bone_*
Posted 21 August 2005 - 02:57 AM
The Book of the New Sun can be difficult to read at times. However, at the same time it is addicting. I stuck with it early on in the first book, and it has turned out to be one of the better stories I've ever read. It can be difficult to follow what is happening from Severian's perspective. In fact, he contradicts himself on several occasions throughout the course of the tale. Also, the chapters when Severian becomes very introspective and philosophical can be difficult. However, these chapters help to define Severian as probably the most interesting and complex character I have ever read. It is very important to keep in mind what happens early in the book as you progress. What you have to understand when reading these books are that they are full of metaphors and often, very subtle things take place that are very important. For those of you deciding whether or not to read this, I highly recommend it. I don't consider myself a conoisseur of fine literature or anything like that, but this is fine literature. I am not sure how well thought of Gene Wolfe is by all the pundits out there, but outside the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre, I have never heard him mentioned. He should be. Be forewarned, however, that this story is not a quick read (if one wants to appreciate the full complexity of the story) and it is not for everyone.
#10
McLovin
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Posted 19 September 2005 - 12:35 PM
I picked up Shadow & Claw this past weekend. Read about 60 pages sitting in the store, and really liked it. The mood and setting are a bit reminiscent of Gormenghast, minus the inertia. Cheers for the recommendation! 
OK, I think I got it, but just in case, can you say the whole thing over again? I wasn't really listening.
#12
Lorn
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Posted 20 September 2005 - 11:20 PM
It has some of the same dark feeling to it, and you can sense a long and complicated history behind everything just as in MBotF, but the story itself is very different. But I liked it very much, even though it took two attempts before I got through it.
Started reading Book of the Long Sun once but didn't like it all. I think there are some other "Book of the .... sun". Anyone read them?
Started reading Book of the Long Sun once but didn't like it all. I think there are some other "Book of the .... sun". Anyone read them?
#13
McLovin
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Posted 02 December 2005 - 04:52 PM
I finished Book of the New Sun a couple of weeks ago. Liked it a lot...very dark, weird, and haunting. He had me running for the dictionary a lot though. Wasn't a lot of plot, but GW really can evoke an image. And though the general tone was dark, he managed to sneak in surprising bits of humor. I will definitely be re-reading this series...
OK, I think I got it, but just in case, can you say the whole thing over again? I wasn't really listening.
#14
stone monkey
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Posted 08 December 2005 - 01:41 PM
Those of you who want to know what happens next to Severian would do well to read "The Urth of the New Sun" the (to my mind, ill-advised) sequel to the Book of the New Sun.
If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason for thinking as you do. If some one maintains that two and two are five, or that Iceland is on the equator, you feel pity rather than anger, unless you know so little of arithmetic or geography that his opinion shakes your own contrary conviction. … So whenever you find yourself getting angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants. Bertrand Russell
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Posted 06 June 2006 - 10:47 AM
@ Stone Monkey
I read Urth of the New Sun only a few months ago now.
And I would say it is definately not I'll advised. Its similar to the Book of the new sun in that it takes a bit to get into but once you do you do not want to put it down. It explains a lot of things that were left unexplained in the original 4.
I'd have to say that he also manged to equal Erikson in evoking emotions towards the end of the book as well When Severian has to make a decision in the water..
I read Urth of the New Sun only a few months ago now.
And I would say it is definately not I'll advised. Its similar to the Book of the new sun in that it takes a bit to get into but once you do you do not want to put it down. It explains a lot of things that were left unexplained in the original 4.
I'd have to say that he also manged to equal Erikson in evoking emotions towards the end of the book as well When Severian has to make a decision in the water..
#16 Guest_Jay Tomio_*
#17 Guest_Zadok_*
Posted 05 July 2006 - 01:20 AM
I picked up the Knight and am having a hard time getting into it. I plan to give it another shot but I guess I'm having a tough time with the narrative. Does he write all his books in this manner?
#18
Dolorous Menhir
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Posted 27 June 2007 - 05:12 PM
Started reading Wolfe, found this old thread to resurrect.
My problem is this: I borrowed "Peace" a few weeks ago, and just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, or dull, or uninteresting. It just failed to excite me, I couldn't be bothered to get past the first few chapters.
Now I have "The Book of the New Sun, Vol 1: Shadow and Claw," and am running into similar problems. I'm almost 200 pages in, and I just don't really care that much about the story. It's a bit interesting, and I'm not being put off by the lack of explanation or fantasy setting or anything like that. I don't have a clear reason for this, I'm just not that gripped by it.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
My problem is this: I borrowed "Peace" a few weeks ago, and just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, or dull, or uninteresting. It just failed to excite me, I couldn't be bothered to get past the first few chapters.
Now I have "The Book of the New Sun, Vol 1: Shadow and Claw," and am running into similar problems. I'm almost 200 pages in, and I just don't really care that much about the story. It's a bit interesting, and I'm not being put off by the lack of explanation or fantasy setting or anything like that. I don't have a clear reason for this, I'm just not that gripped by it.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
#19
ch'arlz
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Posted 27 June 2007 - 05:23 PM
Dolorous Menhir;197313 said:
I don't have a clear reason for this, I'm just not that gripped by it.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
Does anyone else feel the same way?
I read _The Wizard Knight_ series and just don't get the acclaim. His wiki entry states, "He is noted for his dense, allusion-rich prose..." I thought it was rather lite, myself. I hasten to add: to each his/her own.
#20
Obdigore
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Posted 27 June 2007 - 07:48 PM
Dolorous Menhir;197313 said:
Started reading Wolfe, found this old thread to resurrect.
My problem is this: I borrowed "Peace" a few weeks ago, and just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, or dull, or uninteresting. It just failed to excite me, I couldn't be bothered to get past the first few chapters.
Now I have "The Book of the New Sun, Vol 1: Shadow and Claw," and am running into similar problems. I'm almost 200 pages in, and I just don't really care that much about the story. It's a bit interesting, and I'm not being put off by the lack of explanation or fantasy setting or anything like that. I don't have a clear reason for this, I'm just not that gripped by it.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
My problem is this: I borrowed "Peace" a few weeks ago, and just couldn't get into it. It wasn't bad, or dull, or uninteresting. It just failed to excite me, I couldn't be bothered to get past the first few chapters.
Now I have "The Book of the New Sun, Vol 1: Shadow and Claw," and am running into similar problems. I'm almost 200 pages in, and I just don't really care that much about the story. It's a bit interesting, and I'm not being put off by the lack of explanation or fantasy setting or anything like that. I don't have a clear reason for this, I'm just not that gripped by it.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
Yes. Hence my statement that hes not as agood an author as many people on these boards proclaim. Look out, here comes the 'wolfe 4 life' rabble now!
He writes, well, and the worlds could be interesting... but they are just... meh.
Monster Hunter World Iceborne: It's like hunting monsters, but on crack, but the monsters are also on crack.
