The Book of the New Sun

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by iansales

I went off Wolfe with the Book of the Short Sun. The Book of the New Sun is a classic, as is The Fifth Head of Cerberus... but I've never liked his short fiction, and I've found it hard to get excited about his recent novels.

Interesting becasue I've quite enjoyed his short stories too. In particular his collection Storeys From The Old Hotel. I take it you are not a fan of Wizard Knight or perhaps the Soldier of Sildon series then??? The latter is to me one of his best works, up alongside the Fifth Head Of Cerberus and Book Of The New Sun.

Have you ever reads his classic Peace before? It's another I rate highly...

[iansales]

I've not read Wizard Knight, but I did like the Soldier in the Mist and Soldier of Arete. I don't think I've read PEACE, although I have the Fantasy Masterworks edition.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by iansales

I've not read Wizard Knight, but I did like the Soldier in the Mist and Soldier of Arete. I don't think I've read PEACE, although I have the Fantasy Masterworks edition.

Well do yourself a favour and check it out. I guarantee it makes for interesting reading...
So which recent novels are you referring to then??...

[iansales]

The Book of the Short Sun. I didn't enjoy it.

[Falsteed]

Originally Posted by Inkreator

and Severian survieved. Haha, how I loved especialy the book "Urth of the New Sun". He is the Sleeper.

Did reading this just ruin the series for me?

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Falsteed

Did reading this just ruin the series for me?

Not really, there's so much in these books it's amazing.

[Falsteed]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

Not really, there's so much in these books it's amazing.

Thanks, I've been looking for another fantasy series to start and from what I have read this sounds like it would be wonderful. I've been delving into more classic literature as of late and haven't read any fantasy in a long while, GRRM's Feast being the last. Someone likened the writing to the Glass Bead Game which got me really excited, Hesse being one of my favorite writers and that particular book being a cherished one.

I would have picked it up tonite but all the stores are closed on account of everyone gathering together to eat turkey.

[01Boxer]

I think these books are amazing. All the characters seem to have had more thought and effort put into there creation then any other book I've read. There not easy to read but there well worth the effort.

[nomadman]

New Sun was, I believe, originally going to be a novella before it was published. It would have been interesting to see the results.

[yellowbird2525]

I just read the 1st (2) books of the series; I read of him on other book clubs & was told either love him or hate him; very different & difficult read; but worth the time; i don't love him but neither do I hate him; definitly want to read the 2nd part of the series tho; have never read any of his works b/4; very unique; much prefer George RR Martin's song & ice series but will he EVER finish?

[Elstor]

Hey first post! sweeeet. So I started to read Book of the New Sun because so many were recommending it. I've never struggled so much to finish a series. Got half way through the 4th book and was distracted by another series and never finished. Many are convinced of its beautifully written and constructed prose. I'm not. It seemed unnecessarily convoluted and cryptic in plot and writing style. Maybe I'm a simple man with simple tastes but when reading a book becomes a chore It's time to start another series.

[nomadman]

Here's an interesting article on BOTNS:
The monomyth in Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun. Industry & Business Article - Research, News, Information, Contacts, Divisions, Subsidiaries, Business Associations

[Mandorin Anamor]

glad to see similar strain of discussion on wolfe's writing. I started the shadow and claw volume three tiems before i got into it, and even now ive had it on the go for almost a year, reading passages and then reading a good few books in between and going back to it.
Its definately a great work, extremely rich and enthralling. Though alot of the time you do find yourself drifting off as a lakc of any obvious plot becomes apparent in places, but the oddity of Severian's world keeps you going.
I definately enjoy it, but its a long haul and something i prefer to read in time.
I already own the second volume "sword and citadel" and one day will read that

(to any students of the classics; it sometimes makes me nostalgic for homers works or the aeneid, it is almost in that epic narrative format.

anyhow. Its good lol.

[Wok the One Eyed]

well, i'm suprised to see the last time i was on here was 27th. april 2007. last night i started reading book of the new sun again, almost a year to day i finished reading it last. i have been reading this series since the 80's and its like a favourite annual flower always fresh always sweet always a delight.

the writing is like a fine wine.

i hear severian's voice like a cross between jeremy irons narrating in brideshead and harrison ford in the uncorrupted upbeat version of bladerunner.

[DeepThought]

Originally Posted by D6Veteran

...Anyone one else on the board read The Book of the New Sun? Thoughts?

Indeed I did, albeit with a lot of perseverance...and it paid off big time; I somehow ended up liking it a *lot*. I think (just guessing here) he writes with an older literary prose style, very complex and yet at the same time breathtakingly beautiful; even in reaching the end of a single chapter I cannot help but feel exultant. As for the tale itself, have to say it is one of the most unusual I've read, weired was the first word that came to my mind after finishing the books. It is categorized as 'Science Fantasy', though I was hard pressed to pin it to a specific genre; a mishmash of horror, science fiction and fantasy...I've only read it once but with something like Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun IMHO you'll only do it justice with a few re-reads at the least.

Cheers, DeepThought