Latro in the Mist

[T77]

I finished Soldier in the Mist last night. I liked it a lot, although there are quite a few plot lines that I hope are expanded on and questions that are answered in the next two books. One complaint is that the plot didn't get going until about chapter ten or so, if it weren't for this I would rate it higher.

I liked the history aspects of it more than I thought I would and there were more fantasy elements than I had hoped. Some of the chapters with the gods were incredible.

I'm looking forward to reading the next two books, but I am rotating Gene's works, so I won't get back to the Soldier series for a while. Next up will be the first novella in Fifth Head of Cerberus, then the second book of the New Sun followed by The Wizard.

[T77]

Just finished Soldier of Arete. I was a bit disappointed. The first half of the book was great, but it fell flat in the second half. I really had to force myself to finish it.

I hope that Soldier of Sidon lives up to the firsr book and a half. Probably won't get to it for a while, as I plan on reading the last two books of the 'New Sun' and then moving right into the 'Long' and 'Short Sun'.

[GOLLUM]

Soldier of Sildon is better T77.

It won the World Fantasy Award for last year.

I'm very intersted on your take on the Long and Short Sun books. Very few people I know have read those other than myself here, so it would be good to have another member to discuss those with....

[T77]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Soldier of Sildon is better T77.

It won the World Fantasy Award for last year.

I'm very intersted on your take on the Long and Short Sun books. Very few people I know have read those other than myself here, so it would be good to have another member to discuss those with....

Good to hear Gollum, looking forward to Soldier.

The Sun books are first though. I plan on reading the Long and Short Sun after the New, I already purchased the first two Long Sun books. I will certainly post my thoughts.

Started the third book of the New Sun and it feels good to be back in that universe. Since I'm working my way through the Sun books, I have three New, four Long and three Short ahead of me. Looking forward to it!

[Lamont Cranston]

I've read Soldier of the Mist, trying to track down Soldier of Arete.
I got the 1986 hardcover of Mist with the Mark Harrison cover, so I would prefer to get the same of Arete but if I can't I guess I'll just get the Latro of the Mist omnibus.

[Lamont Cranston]

Well I caved in and got the omnibus.

[Connavar]

I just got Soldier of the Mist through the library, it will be my first Gene Wolfe because it was more interesting than my only other choice in english language book An Evil Guest, more rated by the Wolfe fans

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Connavar

I just got Soldier of the Mist through the library, it will be my first Gene Wolfe because it was more interesting than my only other choice in english language book An Evil Guest, more rated by the Wolfe fans

Well at least you obtained the first in the Soldier Of The Mist series. They're amongst his best, so you've chosen a good starting point, Book of The New Sun and Fifth Head Of Cerberus notwithstanding.

I still haven't read my copy of An Evil Guest . It's supposed to proffer a healthy nod towards Mr. Lovecraft....

As you probably already know, I consider Gene to be one of the great writers of the 20th Century independent of Genre.

[Connavar]

I obtained the first book yes its hard to make mistake of getting the wrong book in the series. When there is fantasticfiction listings,Gene Wolfe forums like this

Yeah i have read how highly you rate Wolfe.

I had even forgot i could get this book, inter library loans you can request online and get email weeks later if the book is still available or lost.

[Lamont Cranston]

...and now just finished Arete in the Omnibus.
That endings left me with something to chew on.
I'll begin Soldier of Sidon in an hour or two.

[Connavar]

I read Soldier of the Mist and i was a little disappointed. Felt like i have read the story before,the story dragged for so long.

I like the fantastical,fictional ancient Greece but the memory thing,the slow story for a 200+ page was not the quality i expected. I have read similar literary fantasy done better.

I didnt finish the book, i think it was a not a good first book of his for someone new to him. I will order the first book of sun instead see if he fits my taste.

[donaldtroll]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Soldier of Sildon is better T77.

It won the World Fantasy Award for last year.

I'm very intersted on your take on the Long and Short Sun books. Very few people I know have read those other than myself here, so it would be good to have another member to discuss those with....

I find it very hard to believe that a board of professed Wolfers would shy away from reading the Long and Short... I really liked them, especially the Short.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by donaldtroll

I find it very hard to believe that a board of professed Wolfers would shy away from reading the Long and Short... I really liked them, especially the Short.

HMMM..what's that old adage about not shootnig the messenger?.....

I think you will find that the majority of members here are only recently discovering the vast ouevre that Mr. Wolfe has produced over the years. I'm sure that over time they will get to read more of his work.

Hopefully my own read and reviews planned towards the end of this year focusing on some of Gene's less well known works will also help to engender further interest and contributions from other folk here.

Cheers.

[T77]

Gollum has described my situation. I only discovered Gene a few years ago and am working my way through his works. I am focusing on The Sun Series now and I already own the Long and Short Sun books and am looking forward to them. I'm about half way through The Citadel of the Autarch.

[GOLLUM]

The "long and short of it" is that the latter books are not quite as good as the orignal New Sun quartet but still of a high level....