Gene Wolfe - Book of the New Sun

[FitzChivalry]

People that i talked to about this series said it's really great, but the vocabulary Wofle is using is full of archaic words and you need to read this series with a dictionary...
So, any opinions about that series?

[azaz]

I haven't read this series yet, how good is it and what's it about? (I've heard it is good though).

[neologik]

You have not read spec fic until you've read Gene Wolfe's BOOK OF THE NEW SUN.

It's that simple.

--gabe chouinard www.sfsite.com/fm - Fantastic Metropolis
Dislocated Fictions, only @ SFSite.com

[Cadfael]

Well said Gabe!!

The book does use some archaic words, but not so much to ruin the understanding. However, he can be surreal at times, and you do need to concentrate a wee bit... .

But believe... you will find that easy, because the narrative just draws you in, and is full of surprises, this is one of the series that had a huge effect on me.

His follow up however was not so good, it tended to ramble, and lacked the direction of the first series IMHO. I think this series was called The Book of the Long Sun... correct me if I am wrong, I usually am

[FitzChivalry]

It is called The Book of the Long Sun and there is a Book of the Short Sun next...
But i only heard from english speakers... archaic words are easier for them, any non-english speakers who read it?

neologik, nothing is that simple, except for some Terry Brooks' plotlines.


[This message has been edited by FitzChivlary (edited September 08, 2001).]

[neologik]

*cough*davideddings*cough*

[Cadfael]

But i only heard from english speakers... archaic words are easier for them, any non-english speakers who read it?

A fair and valid comment FitzChivlary, I never thought about it in that way... sorry about that..

[Steven Savile]

Victor Gollancz recently released The Book of The New Sun: Shadow and Claw which contained Shadow of the Torturer and Claw of The Inquisitor, which might account for the confusion on the titles...

Mind you, you just reminded me of someone else that SHOULD have made my top 6 list

[Sammie]

Bought 'Shadow and Claw' yesterday. However...have also just started bk 1 of ASoIaF (also on recommendation form people on this site) so it'll have to wait, though not for long as I'm flying through Martin.

Sam.

[Rob B]

BOTNS is a great piece of writing. Yeah the language can be difficult, but it is well worth the read. It's one of the series that deserve, almost beg for a second and even more re-read.

Very reminiscent (and intentional) similarities to Vance's Dying Earth.

I will second dennizm's opinion of Long Sun books, but I intend to give them a second go at some point.

[Lord Soth]

I actually just bought all four books out of curiosity the other day. They were on special offer. I look forward to having a crack at them but i have to read Revelation Space first.....

[wolfshead]

I must be the only one who doesn't like these books....I remember getting them as a gift from a guy who was trying to get me to go out with him in late 1983.Hahah, I wasn't impressed! I found the books hard going, I didn't like any of the characters and found some of the writing rather obscure.

[Rob B]

I may have asked this before...but...

I read and loved Book of the New Sun, tried and did not like Book of the Long Sun (getting through only the first book).

I've seen very good things about Wolfe's recently completed Book of the Short Sun. My question is this for those in the know

--Having not read Long Sun will I be lost if I give Short Sun a try? Is it necessary to read LS and know what happened in that series to read and enjoy Short Sun?

Thanks

[Sammie]

Just scrolld through this and couldn't help noticing that i bought Shadow and Claw exactly one month ago, and was putting it off til i'd read SoIaF 1. I've now read ALL the SoIaF bks, and several other novels too, and only a couple of chapters of this. It's not 'gelling' for me. Should I persevere?

[Rob B]

Persevere Sam, it is a very rewarding read.

[This message has been edited by FitzFlagg (edited October 09, 2001).]