I started the Book Of The New Sun tetralogy after seeing a random recommendation here, and reading Wolfe's introductions to one of the Sandman trades.
I consider these books no less than life changing. They got me back into reading in a big way, after many years went by where I would just read a book or two a year. Wolfe has done no less than restore my faith in the infinite possibilities of the written word.
They have surface elements of genre (scifi, speculative fiction, fantasy), but the genre elements are treated as just another part of world myth, and used alongside literary and historical references. Wolfe makes a world that feels like it really exists, with characters and dialogue that consistently immerse you deeper and deeper.
The four books (Shadow, Claw, Sword, Citadel) essentially form a single book. Incidents that seemed insignificant and minor (or just plain perplexing) in earlier books almost always end up returning later with new context and importance, delivering frequently mindblowing revelations. The scope of the story keeps expanding exponentially as it progresses. The only thing you can be sure of as you read is that whatever you think is really going on, whoever you think these characters really are, you're wrong.
In a conceptual twist on on the memoir style, our narrator Severian is constantly making references to the infallibility of his memory...with some caveats, of course. The element of uncertainty introduced by the suspicious nature of the narration adds infinite layers of complexity to the book. I am notorious for missing subtext, even when accompanied by big flashing lights, so I would never even have thought Severian was an "unreliable narrator" unless I had read it in every description and review of the books.
The use of language is an elemental part of the construction of this world. If you haven't read it yet, I'll try to give an example of Wolfe's approaches and concepts. Words frequently appear in Latin, but they are not literally in Latin in the world of Urth. Wolfe notes in one of the introductions that in this "translation" of Severian's book, Latin words are used to convey to us the ancient language of Urth's world that has no direct translation. If you go with the theory that Severian's journey starts in what used to be South America, then the Latin words would actually be our modern day English, and the book set in the far future. That's one brief example why there are entire books written just as a guide to this world (Lexicon Urthus, Solar Labyrinth).
To even begin to scratch the surface of what makes these books so special, I'd have to write all day, so I'll leave it at that for now. I was itching to reread the 4 New Sun books from the beginning as soon as I finished them, but instead I decided to read some more Wolfe first.
I just finished the Long Sun tetralogy, that's sort-of connected to the New Sun books. Apparently you also have to read the 3 Short Sun books to see how the whole massive pile of books ties together, but it'll take me a while to get there. Actually understanding, not just reading, the whole series may take me 10 years, or a lifetime.
I didn't enjoy the Long Sun books quite as much, but only because they are a more difficult read. They are no less rewarding. This series is much more dialogue driven, and uses religious allegory in a way I've never seen before to comment on the nature of belief. The story and world are lies within lies within illusions, wrapped in mysteries, wrapped in enigmas...you get the idea. You might find yourself wondering what the point of much of the 4th book was after, but as a whole it's an amazing series.
Currently I'm working on Wolfe's collection of 70s short stories, "The Island Of Doctor Death And Other Stories And Other Stories". Don't let the weird joke title fool you, this is a treasure trove. Wolfe can create an entire world in just a few pages. As usual, it uses genre elements as frequently as it subverts them. The variety of stories is similar to Frank Herbert's collection "Eye", but these have more weight.
If you still need convincing, or you can't quite get what these New Sun books are all about, the closest contemporary I can think of is Dune. They both deal with the rise of a supposed messiah in a mystical scifi setting in an intricately detailed world. Not to put down Dune in any way, it's still an amazing book, but Dune is light reading compared to New Sun. Don't go rushing into New Sun thinking you can blaze through it for an entertaining story with a little food for thought on the side, these books take total concentration and dedication. Your mind will thank me later.
I consider these books no less than life changing. They got me back into reading in a big way, after many years went by where I would just read a book or two a year. Wolfe has done no less than restore my faith in the infinite possibilities of the written word.
They have surface elements of genre (scifi, speculative fiction, fantasy), but the genre elements are treated as just another part of world myth, and used alongside literary and historical references. Wolfe makes a world that feels like it really exists, with characters and dialogue that consistently immerse you deeper and deeper.
The four books (Shadow, Claw, Sword, Citadel) essentially form a single book. Incidents that seemed insignificant and minor (or just plain perplexing) in earlier books almost always end up returning later with new context and importance, delivering frequently mindblowing revelations. The scope of the story keeps expanding exponentially as it progresses. The only thing you can be sure of as you read is that whatever you think is really going on, whoever you think these characters really are, you're wrong.
In a conceptual twist on on the memoir style, our narrator Severian is constantly making references to the infallibility of his memory...with some caveats, of course. The element of uncertainty introduced by the suspicious nature of the narration adds infinite layers of complexity to the book. I am notorious for missing subtext, even when accompanied by big flashing lights, so I would never even have thought Severian was an "unreliable narrator" unless I had read it in every description and review of the books.
The use of language is an elemental part of the construction of this world. If you haven't read it yet, I'll try to give an example of Wolfe's approaches and concepts. Words frequently appear in Latin, but they are not literally in Latin in the world of Urth. Wolfe notes in one of the introductions that in this "translation" of Severian's book, Latin words are used to convey to us the ancient language of Urth's world that has no direct translation. If you go with the theory that Severian's journey starts in what used to be South America, then the Latin words would actually be our modern day English, and the book set in the far future. That's one brief example why there are entire books written just as a guide to this world (Lexicon Urthus, Solar Labyrinth).
To even begin to scratch the surface of what makes these books so special, I'd have to write all day, so I'll leave it at that for now. I was itching to reread the 4 New Sun books from the beginning as soon as I finished them, but instead I decided to read some more Wolfe first.
I just finished the Long Sun tetralogy, that's sort-of connected to the New Sun books. Apparently you also have to read the 3 Short Sun books to see how the whole massive pile of books ties together, but it'll take me a while to get there. Actually understanding, not just reading, the whole series may take me 10 years, or a lifetime.
I didn't enjoy the Long Sun books quite as much, but only because they are a more difficult read. They are no less rewarding. This series is much more dialogue driven, and uses religious allegory in a way I've never seen before to comment on the nature of belief. The story and world are lies within lies within illusions, wrapped in mysteries, wrapped in enigmas...you get the idea. You might find yourself wondering what the point of much of the 4th book was after, but as a whole it's an amazing series.
Currently I'm working on Wolfe's collection of 70s short stories, "The Island Of Doctor Death And Other Stories And Other Stories". Don't let the weird joke title fool you, this is a treasure trove. Wolfe can create an entire world in just a few pages. As usual, it uses genre elements as frequently as it subverts them. The variety of stories is similar to Frank Herbert's collection "Eye", but these have more weight.
If you still need convincing, or you can't quite get what these New Sun books are all about, the closest contemporary I can think of is Dune. They both deal with the rise of a supposed messiah in a mystical scifi setting in an intricately detailed world. Not to put down Dune in any way, it's still an amazing book, but Dune is light reading compared to New Sun. Don't go rushing into New Sun thinking you can blaze through it for an entertaining story with a little food for thought on the side, these books take total concentration and dedication. Your mind will thank me later.
