The Book of the New Sun

[GOLLUM]

Did reading this just ruin the series for me?

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

 

[Falsteed]

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]

...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

 

[GOLLUM]

OH Yes I'm a big Wolfe fan too. I loved Book Of The New Sun. It's one of his best works to date.

It's generally regarded as the greatest Science Fantasy novel to date.

You're right about Gene. All of his works have to be read more than once, otherwise you'll never get it completely.

 

[Connavar]

Greatest Science Fantasy novel ? Wow when there is Dune and a couple Dying Earth Vance novels....


I read in some forum that Book of the New Sun is also Hard SF ? Is that true ? How does that work in Science Fantasy or is the Science Fantasy part only the setting ?

 

[GOLLUM]

Greatest Science Fantasy novel ? Wow when there is Dune and a couple Dying Earth Vance novels....


I read in some forum that Book of the New Sun is also Hard SF ? Is that true ? How does that work in Science Fantasy or is the Science Fantasy part only the setting ?

Well of course Dune is a great book but I have to say Gene's New Sun is even better and for me more Hard SF than New Sun. I would never have really viewed New Sun as Hard SF, I find that a misleading tag to use. No, it really is Science Fantasy and soft SF if anything. SFantasy is basically elements of science and fantasy combined so it can be certain elements as well as the story itself I presume. Robert Silverberg's Majipoor novels, which I highly recommend, are another example of science fantasy.

You know that New Sun along with LOTR and The Hobbit were voted amongst the most influential or significant SFF novels of the 20th Century. Only a poll from the public as I recall but just to give you an idea.

Cheers...

 

[Connavar]

Good to know about the Hard SF thing.


Im what omphalos called a rabid fan of JV so New Sun would have to be amazing to impress me Science Fantasy wise

 

[iansales]

You know that New Sun along with LOTR and The Hobbit were voted amongst the most influential or significant SFF novels of the 20th Century. Only a poll from the public as I recall but just to give you an idea.

Which poll was this? Tolkien's books have mainstream appeal, but I wouldn't have thought the Book of the New Sun - no matter how well regarded - would have as many fans outside the genre. In fact, after LotR, I'd have said Dune was the most likely genre novel to score highly in a poll of the general public. There was a film of it, after all. And there's going to be another soon. The Book of the New Sun has never been adapted.

 

[GOLLUM]

Which poll was this? Tolkien's books have mainstream appeal, but I wouldn't have thought the Book of the New Sun - no matter how well regarded - would have as many fans outside the genre. In fact, after LotR, I'd have said Dune was the most likely genre novel to score highly in a poll of the general public. There was a film of it, after all. And there's going to be another soon. The Book of the New Sun has never been adapted.

I thought that strange too, it was on a blurb at the back of the new Severian Guild omnibus edition. I did some digging and came up with the LOCUS poll pre-1990 under the Fantasy category. Dune is NO. 1 under SF.

The Locus Index to SF Awards: 1998 Locus All-Time Poll

 

[iansales]

Ah. So not a poll of the general public then. Yes, the Book of the New Sun is highly regarded by genre readers, so that's not surprising.

 

[Connavar]

I thought that was wierd. Mainstream think Harry Potter and LOTR is everything there is to fantasy. Unless there are movies they wouldnt care at all.

It sounded too good that they would know acclaimed fantasy work that didnt sell 100+ mil or had movies.


That genre people rated it so high is much more impressive to me. They know what they are talking.

 

[Urlik]

I just read 'Shadow and Claw: The First Half of the Book of the New Sun' by Gene Wolfe.

It was fairly difficult read, and at times a little boring (and confusing). However I kept turning the pages ...

Funny thing is I can't tell if I liked the book or not. On some levels the story was so unusual and interesting that I am considering reading the second half. On other levels the book was at times a test of endurance and didn't seem to have any plot.

I can't decide if Wolfe's writing (and story telling) is above my head or just insanely poor.

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

I managed to read the first 4 books of the series and I had a similar feeling as I read every page.

I'll have to dig them out and read them again sometime and then get the fifth book to read after

 

[T77]

I just finished The Claw of the Conciliator and thoroughly enjoyed it. As others have mentioned, there are times when it seems that there is not much happening, but I can't stop reading and look forward to picking the book up again.

There are some incredibly brilliant parts as well. He sort of lulls you into a feeling of complacency and then drops a really big plot point that comes out of nowhere. There are so many unanswered questions and mysteries, but I guess that's one of the reasons I keep going back to it.

Looking forward to Sword & Citadel. But I just started The Wizard, so it will have to wait a bit.