I've read much of Gene Wolfe's work and found it to be very refreshing after reading some more traditional fantasy series. I was wondering if anyone knew of other authors similar to him, similar in style, imagery, symbolism, prose, world creation etc...... I need more after the Book of the New Sun, the Long Sun, and the Short Sun, but finding other authors with similar style is very difficult. Please offer your suggestions!
Gene Wolfe is unique. There are plenty of threads devoted to original books, but to search for someone similar to Wolfe... I just don't think there is anyone.
Have you read Peace?
Also Wolfe has a new novel the Knight, it is out in hte US and will be out soon in the UK.
I agree with Iskaral but we gotta give the guy something.
From what people are saying about Steven Eriksen and his Malazan Empire books, maybe he's worth a try.
Lucius Shepard also comes to mind, when someone talks about imaginative, dark, intelligent writing.
Gene Wolf's tradmark style has a sort of a lyrical, dream-like flavour.
Another author that writes in a Gene Wolf-like style is Karen Michalson, who has two books: Enemy Glory & Helcates Glory.
Good books, if a bit differant than your run-of-the-mill fantasy fare. The books read sort of like Gene Wolf's Wizard-Knight books, though they do have their differances. But if you like the waking dream style Wolf so relishes (lots of metaphores, poetry mixed into prose, etc...) give Michealson a shot.
I wouldn't try Erikson if you are a fan of Wolfe - Erikson's writing style is nothing like Wolfe's.Originally posted by AuntiePam
I agree with Iskaral but we gotta give the guy something.
From what people are saying about Steven Eriksen and his Malazan Empire books, maybe he's worth a try.
Lucius Shepard also comes to mind, when someone talks about imaginative, dark, intelligent writing.
And I tried Erikson twice and ended up throwing all my Malazan Empire books away. They are a mess IMO.
horribleman, I love your avatar.
You threw books away?!?!?! You must have really hated them.
horribleman
I wouldn't try Erikson if you are a fan of Wolfe - Erikson's writing style is nothing like Wolfe's.
I must be the exception because both of these authors are among my favorites.
I wouldn't say their writing styles are similar, but they are two of my favorite authors.
Erickson & Wolf are nothing alike. None. Zero. Zip.
Erickson is as epic as they come. Wolf doesn't write the usual "epics". His stuff is sort of a lucid dream; Erickson's writing style, good as it may be, is NOT poetic like Wolf's.
In fact the dichotomy between the two authors is so great, that a good number of people who like Wolf won't like Erickson.
I guess what I was trying to say was that even though Wolfe and Eriksons' styles are different, they're still two of my favorite authors.
Obviously, if you're looking for material that is similar to Wolfe's then Erikson wouldn't be the way to go. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that you won't like Erikson's work.
I'll go back to sleep now.
QUESTION !
Is reading "Urth of the New Sun" important before moving onto the Long Sun books ? Am having great difficulty obtaining these books particulary Urth !!I do not own a credit card !!!
Get the Urth of the New Sun. If you have to drive to the next city, get it. If you have to order online and wait two months, get it. If you have to sell your own organs to afford it, get it.
Before I read the Urth of the New Sun I had thought that the Book of the New Sun was all but perfect. Since reading Urth however, I cannot imagine simply leaving the series as finished without reading it. It connects to the original books flawlessy and is on it's own a great work of art.
Do not pass over this book, regardless of the difficulty you face in obtaining it.
I'll second the recommendation to read The Urth of the New Sun. The style is slightly different from that of the other New Sun books, but Urth really does complete that cycle.
The New Sun books have very little to do with the Long Sun books---which, by the way, are very different in scope, perspective and style. There is some slight intersection, in that the two series (and the third series, the Short Sun series, which is a sequel to the Long Sun books) take place in the same universe. But there really aren't any shared characters.
Wolfe's style for the Long Sun books, while different from that employed in the New Sun books, is still identifiable as Wolfe's. For instance, the dialogue patterns in Long Sun are similar to those in New Sun. But the Long Sun series is much more linear from a narrative perspective than New Sun.
I somehow knew what the answer to my question would be , but thankyou sadf and jfclark for the replies . I think I may have hope of purchasing "Urth" yet ! I found an Aussie online book store that can pretty much get their hands on any title .
Could you send me a URL Nevyn? Thanks.
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