The Shadow of the Torturer: Urth: Book of the New Sun | 
so-soI have complicated feelings about this book.
First: it‘s weird. I like weird things, especially when they invite the reader to actively piece the weirdness together. Wolfe nails that.
Second: Wolfe‘s prose is THICK. It took me ages to wade through his odd phrasings, obscure terms, and world-specific (ie, made up) words. Sometimes I find that sort of thing fun. This time, it raised a barrier between me and the story. ⬇️
Supper was instant kimchi noodle soup because I wasn‘t up to cooking so much as a soft-boiled egg to go in it. Sigh.
And y‘all, I dunno how I feel about THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER. It feels like it could be one of THE books, but it‘s the slowest thing I‘ve read in years. Assuming LibraryThing‘s got the right page count for the omnibus edition, it took me FOUR FRICKIN HOURS to read 100 pages. Argh. I feel like I‘m stagnating here.
Pain day reading selections. I do love THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER as of 40%, but it‘s definitely some dense reading. I feel like it takes me about seven years to finish each relatively short chapter. We‘ll see if that eventually destroys my love or if I can fight through it.
Lunch with my first Gene Wolfe novel. It‘s too early to say whether I‘ll love THE SHADOW OF THE TORTURER or find it so dense I can‘t engage, but I sure hope it‘s the former. I‘m pretty sure I can see its influence on a bunch of later books I love, which is always a plus.
pickA ponderous tale that seems to both have a lot goong on, and so little happening. It's very clear that this is the first part of a longer story, with everything happening before the city is left behind.
The book has plenty of interesting characters, though they inhabit a cruel and dark world. I'm very interested in continuing thw tale.
My two favorite swords in fiction:
Apprentice torturer Severian‘s blade, Terminus Est, from the Book of the New Sun. It‘s tip is square because it is exclusively used for beheadings.
And the Possible Sword from China Miéville‘s The Scar. When Uther Doul wields it, the blade transcends reality and wherever it could possibly cut, it does.
#Sword #CoolBooks
I tend to play the long game when collecting a series, so it was a big deal when some #bookmail showed up yesterday with Return to the Whorl.
Now I own Gene Wolfe‘s The Book of the New Sun, The Urth Of The New Sun, The Book of the Long Sun, and The Book of the Short Sun in hardcover.
I‘ve read the first 5 and together they form a work of science fantasy that I would easily put in the company of LOTR in terms of scope and quality.
@AndreaReads tagged me for #TopFiveFaves and I'm happy to oblige:
1. I've been in a Book of the New Sun mood recently so we'll go with that. When the mood passes it's back to Lord of the Rings.
2. The Princess Bride
3. Purple
4. Ice cream with as much non-ice cream stuff in it as possible.
5. Irises
I tag @Seshat and @xicanti
Severian is an apprentice in the Torturer's Guild until he is expelled for showing mercy to a "client". This starts his five book odyssey in which he becomes a traveling executioner, an actor, a messianic figure, the ruler of all civilization, and finally a god. #DontStopBelievin
With Terminus Est, his massive sword designed for efficient beheadings, and his fuligin cloak that is darker than black, he's a pretty #DangerousType
#RockinMay
pickAs I said, this is my fantasy year. And just recently I came across Gene Wolfe and his first book from the Solar Cycle.
I had to leave the impression to settle down for this one. This book was everything but ordinary. At times a bit boring, I must say. But all the twists, characters, bizzare situations, the world created. I feel there's an amazing fantasy cycle waiting for me. Mr. Wolfe, you're really pulling me into your world, congrats!
3.8/5*
pickHmm. I'm giving this one a cautious thumbs up though in truth I'm not yet completely won over. This is only the first of four parts so I think I'll press on and see if it gets better.
Opinion here and on Goodreads seems VERY divided over this one. Only one way to find out!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Gene Wolfe writes gorgeous fantasy that I discovered thanks to Neil Gaiman. Can't wait to read the rest of The Book of the New Sun! 😍
pickInsane dreamy Barthesian dying Earth sci-fantasy. The moon is green and the sun is dying, people who did not leave Earth live in a guild-based society controlled by an autarch. Bechdel travesty but inspiring/enjoyable for its nuanced perspective, linguistic play, revolutionary soul.
Just in! Got my copy of Wolfe's Shadow of the Torturer finally! Wish it wasn't out of print. Also, I LOVE this cover! Beautiful!
Third: I initially loved this and was excited I had an awesome new series to dig into. By the end, I was sick of reading it. I‘ll try the next one, but no promises I‘ll finish. (edited) 4y