What do you think?
Rate this book
The Wolfe at the Door
An all new collection from an American literary icon.
The circus comes to town… and a man gets to go to the stars.
A young girl on a vacation at the sea meets the man of her dreams. Who just happens to be dead. And an immortal pirate.
A swordfighter pens his memoirs… and finds his pen is in fact mightier than the sword.
Welcome to Gene Wolfe’s playground, a place where genres blend and a genius’s imagination straps you in for the ride of your life.
The Wolfe At The Door is a brand new collection from one of America’s premiere literary giants, showcasing some material been seen before. Short stories, yes, but also poems, essays, and ephemera that gives us a window into the mind of a literary powerhouse whose world view changed generations of readers in their perception of the universe.
The circus comes to town… and a man gets to go to the stars.
A young girl on a vacation at the sea meets the man of her dreams. Who just happens to be dead. And an immortal pirate.
A swordfighter pens his memoirs… and finds his pen is in fact mightier than the sword.
Welcome to Gene Wolfe’s playground, a place where genres blend and a genius’s imagination straps you in for the ride of your life.
The Wolfe At The Door is a brand new collection from one of America’s premiere literary giants, showcasing some material been seen before. Short stories, yes, but also poems, essays, and ephemera that gives us a window into the mind of a literary powerhouse whose world view changed generations of readers in their perception of the universe.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2023
65 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
Gene Wolfe
506 books3,586 followersGene Wolfe was an American science fiction and fantasy writer. He was noted for his dense, allusive prose as well as the strong influence of his Catholic faith, to which he converted after marrying a Catholic. He was a prolific short story writer and a novelist, and has won many awards in the field.
The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is given by SFWA for ‘lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy.’ Wolfe joins the Grand Master ranks alongside such legends as Connie Willis, Michael Moorcock, Anne McCaffrey, Robert Silverberg, Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Joe Haldeman. The award will be presented at the 48th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend in San Jose, CA, May 16-19, 2013.
While attending Texas A&M University Wolfe published his first speculative fiction in The Commentator, a student literary journal. Wolfe dropped out during his junior year, and was drafted to fight in the Korean War. After returning to the United States he earned a degree from the University of Houston and became an industrial engineer. He edited the journal Plant Engineering for many years before retiring to write full-time, but his most famous professional engineering achievement is a contribution to the machine used to make Pringles potato crisps. He lived in Barrington, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
A frequent Hugo nominee without a win, Wolfe has nevertheless picked up several Nebula and Locus Awards, among others, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the 2012 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award. He is also a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/genewolfe
The Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award is given by SFWA for ‘lifetime achievement in science fiction and/or fantasy.’ Wolfe joins the Grand Master ranks alongside such legends as Connie Willis, Michael Moorcock, Anne McCaffrey, Robert Silverberg, Ursula K. Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury and Joe Haldeman. The award will be presented at the 48th Annual Nebula Awards Weekend in San Jose, CA, May 16-19, 2013.
While attending Texas A&M University Wolfe published his first speculative fiction in The Commentator, a student literary journal. Wolfe dropped out during his junior year, and was drafted to fight in the Korean War. After returning to the United States he earned a degree from the University of Houston and became an industrial engineer. He edited the journal Plant Engineering for many years before retiring to write full-time, but his most famous professional engineering achievement is a contribution to the machine used to make Pringles potato crisps. He lived in Barrington, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
A frequent Hugo nominee without a win, Wolfe has nevertheless picked up several Nebula and Locus Awards, among others, including the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement and the 2012 Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award. He is also a member of the Science Fiction Hall of Fame.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/genewolfe
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Read
October 12, 2023I haven’t read much Wolfe — certainly not his well-known works — possibly making me the worst audience for a collection aimed at completists, assembling rarities and stories previously uncollected. (It’s the third book by Wolfe published since he died in 2019). Or I might be the best audience because I come to the collection with only the vaguest of preconceptions, an awareness that his fiction is dense and opaque, only to discover that he was a far more eclectic writer with a broader range than I was initially led to believe. His stories have a liveliness, sometimes whimsical, sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, sometimes creepy. Even the stories that I didn’t much like or connect with were interesting because of the way Wolfe played with tone, genre and form. The collection has its fair share of crackers, including the “Christmas Inn” (and you know it’s good because I typically avoid Christmas tales) and “The Magic Animal” (one of the best Arthurian retellings I’ve read). While this collection is probably more suited to fans of Wolfe, I walked away with a greater appreciation of his prodigious talents.
December 4, 2023
THE WOLFE AT THE DOOR by Gene Wolfe
Published : November 7, 2023
Audio Version: Macmillan Audio
Running Time: 15 hours, 54 min
Narrator: Charles Constant
Hardcover version: Tor Books , 468 pages
Jump on board for an amazing journey . Gene Wolfe came to my attention when I was enthralled with his fantastic novels: The Book of The New Sun and Shadow of The Torturer .. This multi-award winning author of such gems was also a prolific producer of amazing short fiction … there is not a clunker amongst this prestigious collection of short stories, novellas, poems and emphemera … divided into eight sections and offering 41 delicious offerings. The totality of this new collection offers a glimpse into the genius of Wolfe, his genre bending explorations into the nature of the universe. This collection will serve as an excellent introduction into his genius to those who have not had the pleasure of enjoying his mesmerizing writing skills.
An amazing offering is the long novella, “Memorare”. … this garnered multiple award nominations when it was first published. The story of a film maker, March Wildspring attempting to make a documentary regarding these mysterious tombstones left in space to not always honor the departed .. but sometimes to trap unsuspecting victims into eternal bondage.
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Charles Constant …. with multiple voice inflection changes he was able to bring each story alive in the theatre of my mind. I truly believe that the audio version is the best way to enjoy this magnum opus. One offering seamlessly blended into the next. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an Advance audio version in exchange for ah honest review.
Published : November 7, 2023
Audio Version: Macmillan Audio
Running Time: 15 hours, 54 min
Narrator: Charles Constant
Hardcover version: Tor Books , 468 pages
Jump on board for an amazing journey . Gene Wolfe came to my attention when I was enthralled with his fantastic novels: The Book of The New Sun and Shadow of The Torturer .. This multi-award winning author of such gems was also a prolific producer of amazing short fiction … there is not a clunker amongst this prestigious collection of short stories, novellas, poems and emphemera … divided into eight sections and offering 41 delicious offerings. The totality of this new collection offers a glimpse into the genius of Wolfe, his genre bending explorations into the nature of the universe. This collection will serve as an excellent introduction into his genius to those who have not had the pleasure of enjoying his mesmerizing writing skills.
An amazing offering is the long novella, “Memorare”. … this garnered multiple award nominations when it was first published. The story of a film maker, March Wildspring attempting to make a documentary regarding these mysterious tombstones left in space to not always honor the departed .. but sometimes to trap unsuspecting victims into eternal bondage.
I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of Charles Constant …. with multiple voice inflection changes he was able to bring each story alive in the theatre of my mind. I truly believe that the audio version is the best way to enjoy this magnum opus. One offering seamlessly blended into the next. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an Advance audio version in exchange for ah honest review.
December 23, 2023
Subtle, sublime, disturbing, rewarding. Wolfe as 2Pac.
Part of me hopes Gene Wolfe becomes the 2Pac of fiction -- releasing new collections of previously unreleased material for years after his 2019 death. 2023's "The Wolfe at the Door" is the third posthumous publication following "The Dead Man and Other Horror Stories" (also 2023) and 2020's "Interlibrary Loan."
This collection is probably the best "edited" of the several of Wolfe's collections I've read with broadly thematic sections like:
Entering the Wood
Monsters in the Trees
A Howling Wind
Out of the Darkness
Musing Under a Tree
Travelers Along the Road
A Different Part of the Wood: Steel Tipped Branches
Through the Mists and Out into the Void
The effect is a slowly unfolding literary world and talent that defies easy convention coupled with a sense that there's something just out of view that the traveler/reader should be wary of. There are tales of interstellar documentary producers ("Memorare"), extended puns ("Tarzan of the Grapes"), Christmas stories with a demonic end-of-the-world vibe ("Christmas Inn"), sentient transforming refrigerators ("Frostfree"), sordid tales of androids and brothels ("It's Very Clean") just to name a few.
Wolfe was a huge contributor to various SF/Fantasy magazines so it was a great pleasure to find so many more stories of his that ONLY were published in these various hard-to-find magazines finally collected.
The stories run the gamut from fantasy to ghost stories to hard sci-fi. The weakest entries are the couple of "detective" type tales that failed to connect with me (mostly because I didn't see the clues that lead to the solving of the mystery -- maybe a re-read is in order).
My favorite tale is the extended time-loop take on the Arthurian legend ("The Magic Animal") -- it has such an honest sweetness about it that its conclusion is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding endings I've encountered in a long time.
As with all things Wolfian, many of the tales leave you feeling like there's something else there. The stories work on their own, but just as frequently, there's a persistent sense that you missed SOMETHING that would have tied it all together just a bit more firmly. This is not a bad thing.
After several years of reading (and trying to understand) Wolfe, you know the answer is there....if you're brave enough to venture back into the woods...
Part of me hopes Gene Wolfe becomes the 2Pac of fiction -- releasing new collections of previously unreleased material for years after his 2019 death. 2023's "The Wolfe at the Door" is the third posthumous publication following "The Dead Man and Other Horror Stories" (also 2023) and 2020's "Interlibrary Loan."
This collection is probably the best "edited" of the several of Wolfe's collections I've read with broadly thematic sections like:
Entering the Wood
Monsters in the Trees
A Howling Wind
Out of the Darkness
Musing Under a Tree
Travelers Along the Road
A Different Part of the Wood: Steel Tipped Branches
Through the Mists and Out into the Void
The effect is a slowly unfolding literary world and talent that defies easy convention coupled with a sense that there's something just out of view that the traveler/reader should be wary of. There are tales of interstellar documentary producers ("Memorare"), extended puns ("Tarzan of the Grapes"), Christmas stories with a demonic end-of-the-world vibe ("Christmas Inn"), sentient transforming refrigerators ("Frostfree"), sordid tales of androids and brothels ("It's Very Clean") just to name a few.
Wolfe was a huge contributor to various SF/Fantasy magazines so it was a great pleasure to find so many more stories of his that ONLY were published in these various hard-to-find magazines finally collected.
The stories run the gamut from fantasy to ghost stories to hard sci-fi. The weakest entries are the couple of "detective" type tales that failed to connect with me (mostly because I didn't see the clues that lead to the solving of the mystery -- maybe a re-read is in order).
My favorite tale is the extended time-loop take on the Arthurian legend ("The Magic Animal") -- it has such an honest sweetness about it that its conclusion is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding endings I've encountered in a long time.
As with all things Wolfian, many of the tales leave you feeling like there's something else there. The stories work on their own, but just as frequently, there's a persistent sense that you missed SOMETHING that would have tied it all together just a bit more firmly. This is not a bad thing.
After several years of reading (and trying to understand) Wolfe, you know the answer is there....if you're brave enough to venture back into the woods...
August 8, 2025
The Wolfe at the Door contains a number of Gene Wolfe's hitherto uncollected works. It is a mixed bag in terms of genre, ranging from fantasy and sci-fi to mystery and horror. This is not a best-of collection – it is intended for completionists, rather than newcomers to Wolfe's work. Many of the stories within are not Wolfe at the peak of his writing strength; still, as a whole, the book demonstrates his incredible imagination and mastery of language.
Wolfe combines a literary and mythological sensibility with an earnest appreciation for pulp adventure. He is unabashedly a genre author but wields genre conventions in a truly transcendental way. Wolfe's worlds are strange and alien, his writing often dense and impenetrable, but beneath it all, he grapples with universal truths.
The book is introduced by Kim Stanley Robinson, who provides an insightful account of Wolfe as both a person and a literary figure. In particular, he notes just how much Wolfe's writing has been affected by his service in the Korean War. During the conflict, Wolfe witnessed two Chinese artillery observers immolated by flamethrowers – an image of cruelty and death that cast a shadow over his entire body of work.
The introduction features a poem by Wolfe, in which he reflects on the incident. It does not perhaps match his prose in terms of literary quality, but I found it deeply moving:
Science Fiction Poem
No earth I own,
No earth owns me,
No Earth I own,
Though here I be.
My passport names another star,
Where brothers not for burning are.
The poem provides a sort of guide to understanding Wolfe's body of work in its dazzling variety – amply displayed in this collection. In his writing, Wolfe stares into the face of the world's evils and images the alternatives – times and places that are perhaps not less callous or hopeless than our own, but which prove that a better, more dignified existence is possible.
Below, I am listing some of my favourites in the collection:
Memorare
In a far-off future, it has become fashionable for Earth's rich and powerful to buy tombs on the orbit of Jupiter. Some of these tombs are operated by death cults and used as traps for unsuspecting visitors. A freelance filmmaker explores one of these, while navigating a complicated love-quadrangle with his girlfriend, his ex-wife, and his ex-wife's current husband. The story has a very intriguing premise, and delivers on it fully, moving effectively from a tomb raiding adventure to a profound exploration of aging and death, culminating in an act of heroic self-sacrifice.
The Gunner's Mate
The ghost of a pirate falls in love with a woman working in a seaside resort. Wolfe deploys piracy as a manifestation of freedom, a promise of flight from a mundane post-modern existence, offered across the abyss of time. The story ends in a delightfully ambiguous and unsettling way, with a play on Wolfe's classic themes of memory and shifting identities.
Mountains Like Mice
A young man living in an isolated fortress colony undertakes a test of initiation, traveling across a hostile desert to discover the secrets of his world and its past. The story is one of Wolfe's earliest and seems like a blueprint for his signature approach to world-building, perfected in The Fifth Head of Cerberus and The Book of the New Sun, with Wolfe relying on ambiguity and oblique hints and allowing readers to piece together the setting's mysteries.
The Hour of the Sheep
A master duellist penning his memoirs traverses a night city in search of material. The story provides an interesting twist on pulp fantasy tropes, wherein the seedy, crime-ridden city has become gentrified and overtaken by dandies searching for adventure, so that a sword fighting hero finds it hard to locate any actual foes. The use of the memoir as a framing device elevates the story and ensures a satisfying pay-off, as the duellist is undone in accordance with his own advice.
The Magic Animal
Wolfe's take on the Arthurian myth, specifically on the tale about Merlin and Nimue. In its purity, their love seems to be presented as an implicit counterpoint to the bloody, tangled, and fateful relationship between Lancelot, Arthur, and Guinevere. Time-travel, talking animals, and an inventive reframing of classic Arthuriana. A beautiful story of legend and romance and my favourite in the whole collection.
Wolfe combines a literary and mythological sensibility with an earnest appreciation for pulp adventure. He is unabashedly a genre author but wields genre conventions in a truly transcendental way. Wolfe's worlds are strange and alien, his writing often dense and impenetrable, but beneath it all, he grapples with universal truths.
The book is introduced by Kim Stanley Robinson, who provides an insightful account of Wolfe as both a person and a literary figure. In particular, he notes just how much Wolfe's writing has been affected by his service in the Korean War. During the conflict, Wolfe witnessed two Chinese artillery observers immolated by flamethrowers – an image of cruelty and death that cast a shadow over his entire body of work.
The introduction features a poem by Wolfe, in which he reflects on the incident. It does not perhaps match his prose in terms of literary quality, but I found it deeply moving:
Science Fiction Poem
No earth I own,
No earth owns me,
No Earth I own,
Though here I be.
My passport names another star,
Where brothers not for burning are.
The poem provides a sort of guide to understanding Wolfe's body of work in its dazzling variety – amply displayed in this collection. In his writing, Wolfe stares into the face of the world's evils and images the alternatives – times and places that are perhaps not less callous or hopeless than our own, but which prove that a better, more dignified existence is possible.
Below, I am listing some of my favourites in the collection:
Memorare
In a far-off future, it has become fashionable for Earth's rich and powerful to buy tombs on the orbit of Jupiter. Some of these tombs are operated by death cults and used as traps for unsuspecting visitors. A freelance filmmaker explores one of these, while navigating a complicated love-quadrangle with his girlfriend, his ex-wife, and his ex-wife's current husband. The story has a very intriguing premise, and delivers on it fully, moving effectively from a tomb raiding adventure to a profound exploration of aging and death, culminating in an act of heroic self-sacrifice.
The Gunner's Mate
The ghost of a pirate falls in love with a woman working in a seaside resort. Wolfe deploys piracy as a manifestation of freedom, a promise of flight from a mundane post-modern existence, offered across the abyss of time. The story ends in a delightfully ambiguous and unsettling way, with a play on Wolfe's classic themes of memory and shifting identities.
Mountains Like Mice
A young man living in an isolated fortress colony undertakes a test of initiation, traveling across a hostile desert to discover the secrets of his world and its past. The story is one of Wolfe's earliest and seems like a blueprint for his signature approach to world-building, perfected in The Fifth Head of Cerberus and The Book of the New Sun, with Wolfe relying on ambiguity and oblique hints and allowing readers to piece together the setting's mysteries.
The Hour of the Sheep
A master duellist penning his memoirs traverses a night city in search of material. The story provides an interesting twist on pulp fantasy tropes, wherein the seedy, crime-ridden city has become gentrified and overtaken by dandies searching for adventure, so that a sword fighting hero finds it hard to locate any actual foes. The use of the memoir as a framing device elevates the story and ensures a satisfying pay-off, as the duellist is undone in accordance with his own advice.
The Magic Animal
Wolfe's take on the Arthurian myth, specifically on the tale about Merlin and Nimue. In its purity, their love seems to be presented as an implicit counterpoint to the bloody, tangled, and fateful relationship between Lancelot, Arthur, and Guinevere. Time-travel, talking animals, and an inventive reframing of classic Arthuriana. A beautiful story of legend and romance and my favourite in the whole collection.
Currently reading
July 21, 2024On a Vacant Face a Bruise (2006) strange birds
Bea and Her Bird Brother (2006)
Memorare (2007)
-The Little Stranger (2004)
Christmas Inn (2005)...
The Gunner’s Mate (2005)
The Old Woman in the Young Woman (2006)
Dormanna (2012) the palencar project
Archangel Gabriel (2023)...(poem)
Last Night in the Garden of Forking Tongues (poem) (Plant)
Maybe We’ve Been Doing It Wrong (1988)...(poem)
Connect the Dots (1981)...(poem)
Planetarium in Orbit (2009)
The On-Deck Circle (2006)
Hopkins Dalhousie (1984) Bibliomen
How I Got Three Zip Codes (1999)
Last Drink Bird Head (2009)
Unrequited Love (2007)
Frostfree (2013)...
The Giant (2011)
-The Magic Animal (2007)
The Hour of the Sheep (2007)
The Woman Who Went Out (1985) ch15 mist
Leif in the Wind (2010)
Sea of Memory (2013) shadows
At the Point of Capricorn (1982)
July 22, 2024
THE WOLFE AT THE DOOR
RATED 95% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4.2 OF 5
37 STORIES : 10 GREAT / 23 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF and 4 POEMS
Gene Wolfe died in 2019 and collections assembled after an author’s death are always a challenge. If the author isn’t well known there is a push to republish his greatest stories. If he is already known and respected, the effort becomes to collect his uncollected stories. The Wolfe at the Door is one of these collections.
Frequently, uncollected stories were uncollected for a reason. Perhaps, they were minor work. A mixture of early career stories by an author just finding his stride or late-career stories by an author who’s mind and body are failing. All true, but this is Gene Wolfe we are talking about and lesser Gene Wolfe is only lesser when grading on a curve he has set. Any other author would be proud so have this collection as their “Best Stories Of…”
With science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and horror, Wolfe’s versatility is on display. It is normal for a Wolfe story to have complex characters and relationships, bend reality and perception, subtly introduce intricate world-building, and comment with mercy on the interplay between technology and humanity. His use of symbolism and allegory adds depth and the quality of Wolfe’s prose is always first rate.
Amazingly 10 Stories are Good Enough to Make My All-Time Great List: And there would be more if I allowed Fantasy stories to be included on the list.
https://www.shortsf.com/beststories
Bea and Her Bird Brother • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A poignant story of a dying father who confides to his daughter that her mother was a bird woman from time the father spent in an alternate universe. Silly title and idea, elevated by Wolfe’s beautiful writing.
Memorare • (2007) • novella by Gene Wolfe
Mitch Wildspring is trying to make a documentary about the tombs floating in space, tribute to people who died exploring. Many of techonological marvels. Others are deadly traps. The only thing more trouble is his talent/lover and the woman she is bringing as an assistant. His ex-wife! Brilliant and suspenseful.
Christmas Inn • (2005) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
The “Christmas” family runs a Inn that is losing money until 4 (maybe 5) people arrive and a Christmas Séance changes everything,
Dormanna • (2012) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Beautiful SF fairy tale of a young girl who takes to school what she believes is an imaginary friend, but really is an information gathering device for a large alien.
Remembrance to Come • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Student protests and riots have moved classrooms underground for protection. Students are naked except for body paint. Intellectual and educational quality of college students has fallen precipitously. With that as a background, we have a story of a professor terrorized by a figure in all black that sits in his class and then follows him home. I was shocked to see this written in 1970. It was obviously a reaction to the 1968 student protests, but thought it was written by a ‘stodgy old man’ in the 2000s.
The On-Deck Circle • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Insane story about baseball played with boats on a very large scale and one player who get his chance to hit a homerun using the new rules. Probably a story written as a joke because a common old-timey baseball name was Scooter.
Hopkins Dalhousie • (1984) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A self-driving car confesses in the first line that it killed its master because it loved him. The moments of their ‘life’ together are expertly written.
The Green Wall Said • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Ironic SciFi as a group of difference humans are debating why they’ve been abducted. They jump to many conclusions but are unwilling to bother reading the message on the wall.
Going to the Beach • (1973) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A world where people are split between Honorable Income (techno-driven leisure pay) and Work (menial jobs that still have yet to be automated. One man who has to work has a nuanced relationship with an android sex worker. A complex discussion of the nature of work, the value of automation and technology, and the various classes of labor.
It's Very Clean • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Miles, a young man seeking his first intimate experience with an artificial partner, visits an establishment that offers lifelike robots. Guided by a fat woman with a gold tooth, he is shown a malfunctioning unit before being led to his own encounter. As he spends time with Jill, a seemingly perfect robot, he discovers an unsettling truth that challenges his perception of reality and humanity.
***
81 Anthologies + 19 Author Collections + 14 Slates of Award Finalists + 2 Magazine Issues
at https://www.shortsf.com
37 STORIES : 10 GREAT / 23 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF and 4 POEMS
On a Vacant Face a Bruise • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A poor young man gets a job at the traveling circus which goes to outer space.
Bea and Her Bird Brother • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A poignant story of a dying father who confides to his daughter that her mother was a bird woman from time the father spent in an alternate universe. Silly title and idea, elevated by Wolfe’s beautiful writing.
Memorare • (2007) • novella by Gene Wolfe
Great. Mitch Wildspring is trying to make a documentary about the tombs floating in space, tribute to people who died exploring. Many of techonological marvels. Others are deadly traps. The only thing more trouble is his talent/lover and the woman she is bringing as an assistant. His ex-wife! Brilliant and suspenseful.
A Method Bit in "B" • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Whatever I’m supposed to get here, I’m not getting. A policeman goes about his day while something murderous and werewolfean is happening offstage. There is some but about an after hours pub that doesn’t serve alcohol?
Tarzan of the Grapes • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A reporter is disturbed by farmers hunting hippies who live among the grapevines. But there is something else out there hunting the hunters.
The Little Stranger • (2004) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. Epistolary story about eerie occurances in an old house told as letters from and elders woman to her deceased cousin.
Christmas Inn • (2005) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Great. The “Christmas” family runs a Inn that is losing money until 4 (maybe 5) people arrive and a Christmas Séance changes everything,
The Gunner's Mate • (2005) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A woman on island vacation feels strangely drawn to stay there forever. Meanwhile the ghost of pirate has fallen in love with her and means to make her his.
The Grave Secret • (1951) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. A quirky simple fantasy of a necromancer who doesn’t raise the body he intended to.
The Old Woman in the Young Woman • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A man takes refuge in a house in which live two women. One old and dying. One young and childlike. They have a strange connection and plans for him.
Dormanna • (2012) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Beautiful SF fairy tale of a young girl who takes to school what she believes is an imaginary friend, but really is an information gathering device for a large alien.
Easter Sunday • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. On Easter, a pastor meets the devil who makes the case that he is a revolutionary against an oppressive king.
Archangel Gabriel • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM The Archangel Gabriel put in cosmic context.
Last Night in the Garden of Forking Tongues • (1984) • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM: In praise of Jose Borges.
Maybe We've Been Doing It Wrong • poem by Gene Wolfe (variant of Maybe We've Been Doing It Wrong, or You Can't Turn the Clock Back, But If You Put Off Winding It Long Enough It's The Same Thing 1988)
POEM. Great title and some funny unconventional ideas for society. Like letting pigs run free and giving men swords again.
Connect the Dots • (1981) • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM. Finding the secrets of the universe in raindrops.
Planetarium in Orbit • (2009) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Crazy space opera with lots of satirical and madcap throwaway lines of creativity. Dr. Death (is this the same from other stories in Wolfe’s ouvre) attempt to seize the essence of planets in a plantarium.
Remembrance to Come • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Student protests and riots have moved classrooms underground for protection. Students are naked except for body paint. Intellectual and educational quality of college students has fallen precipitously. With that as a background, we have a story of a professor terrorized by a figure in all black that sits in his class and then follows him home. I was shocked to see this written in 1970. It was obviously a reaction to the 1968 student protests, but thought it was written by a ‘stodgy old man’ in the 2000s.
The On-Deck Circle • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Insane story about baseball played with boats on a very large scale and one player who get his chance to hit a homerun using the new rules. Probably a story written as a joke because a common old-timey baseball name was Scooter.
Hopkins Dalhousie • (1984) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A self-driving car confesses in the first line that it killed its master because it loved him. The moments of their ‘life’ together are expertly written.
How I Got Three Zip Codes • (1999) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Absurdist story with a writer and an old man who go off on tangents. The problem of living without a head. The peculiar nature of shipping services. and more…
Screen Test • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Crime story of a expensive piece of Chinese art and the scam being pulled over on the buyer.
Volksweapon • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Mystery Fiction. A game warden comes across a young woman murdered and a young man shot and injured. After enlisting some poachers for help, the warden discovers the truth about the murder.
The Largest Luger • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Mystery Fiction centering around a very rare Luger and whether or not it is counterfeit.
The Last Casualty of Cambrai • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Mystery Fiction with the same protagonist as the previous story. A World War I diorama of the battle of Cambrai is the scene of a murder. This shows the engineering mind of Gene Wolfe to full effect in the complicated denouement.
Last Drink Bird Head • (2009) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Weird short-short about fell science fiction writers and the weird drinks they order in a bar.
Mountains Like Mice • (1966) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. A young scholar in sent out to undergo a test in the wilderness. When he sees another man captured by the gyrda, he tracks and rescues him. In the process, he discovers the secrets of this planet and humanities role on it.
The Green Wall Said • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Ironic SciFi as a group of difference humans are debating why they’ve been abducted. They jump to many conclusions but are unwilling to bother reading the message on the wall.
Thou Spark of Blood • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. On a three-man mission from the Earth to Mars, one of the three ends up murdered and the other two are horribly suspicious of each other.
Unrequited Love • (2007) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A suburban story where robotic children and pets have replaced the real, more difficult, thing for many people. One man reflects how his interference in his neighbors lives has ended up causing pain.
Loco Parentis • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Short surreal play when human, robot, and uplifted animals coexist in a dystopia. A couple wrestles with what it means to have a child..
Going to the Beach • (1973) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A world where people are split between Honorable Income (techno-driven leisure pay) and Work (menial jobs that still have yet to be automated. One man who has to work has a nuanced relationship with an android sex worker. A complex discussion of the nature of work, the value of automation and technology, and the various classes of labor.
It's Very Clean • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Miles, a young man seeking his first intimate experience with an artificial partner, visits an establishment that offers lifelike robots. Guided by a fat woman with a gold tooth, he is shown a malfunctioning unit before being led to his own encounter. As he spends time with Jill, a seemingly perfect robot, he discovers an unsettling truth that challenges his perception of reality and humanity.
Frostfree • (2013) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Roy Tabak finds himself with a brand new, state-of-the-art refrigerator that he doesn't remember purchasing. This fridge, however, isn't just any appliance—it talks and even transforms into a woman named Frostfree. Frostfree tells him that his life is under a strange curse, one that only a warm-hearted person can break.
The Giant • (2011) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Fairytale about a Writer of Children’s Books who takes the ‘path less traveled’ in the woods and ends up meeting some young characters who hint at a giant.
The Magic Animal • (2007) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. A charming take on Arthur, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake. Viviane, who can speak to and understand animals, is drawn into a beautifully written fantasy adventure in a mystic woods. Complete with quirky talking animals, time travel, romance, nostalgia, and a near perfect blend of current and classic fantasy.
The Hour of the Sheep • (2007) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Tiero, a renowned swordsman, sets out to write a book on the art of self-defense at the President-Protector's suggestion. To add authenticity, he ventures into the Questing Quarter, a part of the city that as fallen in disrepute, seeking firsthand experience of street combat. Fusion of fantasy courtly conduct with sci-fi weaponry.
The Woman Who Went Out • [Latro] • (1985) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Snarky domestic fantasy. A wealthy woman and her husband are both unhappy with their marriage and look to folksy magic to give them more freedom.
Leif in the Wind • (2010) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A small crew surveys a habitable but lifeless planet. Leif, one of the crew members, begins to exhibit strange behavior and reports seeing fantastical birds, causing concern among his shipmates. As tensions rise, the crew must confront the possibility that Leif's visions may be more than mere hallucinations. The birds might be real and on the ship.
The Sea of Memory • (2013) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A group of explorers find themselves on a mysterious planet after a long journey through space. Adele, one of the crew, grapples with fragmented memories and an elusive reality as she interacts with her fellow travelers. The crew's understanding of time and existence is challenged in this surreal story.
At the Point of Capricorn • (1983) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. In a cave at the end of the world, an old woman tells stories to children around a bonfire. Various figures - including a druid, viking, and pastry chef - enter to give their perspective on the bonfire. Powerfully symbolic of the intersection of stories and technology.
RATED 95% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 4.2 OF 5
37 STORIES : 10 GREAT / 23 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF and 4 POEMS
Gene Wolfe died in 2019 and collections assembled after an author’s death are always a challenge. If the author isn’t well known there is a push to republish his greatest stories. If he is already known and respected, the effort becomes to collect his uncollected stories. The Wolfe at the Door is one of these collections.
Frequently, uncollected stories were uncollected for a reason. Perhaps, they were minor work. A mixture of early career stories by an author just finding his stride or late-career stories by an author who’s mind and body are failing. All true, but this is Gene Wolfe we are talking about and lesser Gene Wolfe is only lesser when grading on a curve he has set. Any other author would be proud so have this collection as their “Best Stories Of…”
With science fiction, fantasy, mystery, and horror, Wolfe’s versatility is on display. It is normal for a Wolfe story to have complex characters and relationships, bend reality and perception, subtly introduce intricate world-building, and comment with mercy on the interplay between technology and humanity. His use of symbolism and allegory adds depth and the quality of Wolfe’s prose is always first rate.
Amazingly 10 Stories are Good Enough to Make My All-Time Great List: And there would be more if I allowed Fantasy stories to be included on the list.
https://www.shortsf.com/beststories
Bea and Her Bird Brother • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A poignant story of a dying father who confides to his daughter that her mother was a bird woman from time the father spent in an alternate universe. Silly title and idea, elevated by Wolfe’s beautiful writing.
Memorare • (2007) • novella by Gene Wolfe
Mitch Wildspring is trying to make a documentary about the tombs floating in space, tribute to people who died exploring. Many of techonological marvels. Others are deadly traps. The only thing more trouble is his talent/lover and the woman she is bringing as an assistant. His ex-wife! Brilliant and suspenseful.
Christmas Inn • (2005) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
The “Christmas” family runs a Inn that is losing money until 4 (maybe 5) people arrive and a Christmas Séance changes everything,
Dormanna • (2012) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Beautiful SF fairy tale of a young girl who takes to school what she believes is an imaginary friend, but really is an information gathering device for a large alien.
Remembrance to Come • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Student protests and riots have moved classrooms underground for protection. Students are naked except for body paint. Intellectual and educational quality of college students has fallen precipitously. With that as a background, we have a story of a professor terrorized by a figure in all black that sits in his class and then follows him home. I was shocked to see this written in 1970. It was obviously a reaction to the 1968 student protests, but thought it was written by a ‘stodgy old man’ in the 2000s.
The On-Deck Circle • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Insane story about baseball played with boats on a very large scale and one player who get his chance to hit a homerun using the new rules. Probably a story written as a joke because a common old-timey baseball name was Scooter.
Hopkins Dalhousie • (1984) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A self-driving car confesses in the first line that it killed its master because it loved him. The moments of their ‘life’ together are expertly written.
The Green Wall Said • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Ironic SciFi as a group of difference humans are debating why they’ve been abducted. They jump to many conclusions but are unwilling to bother reading the message on the wall.
Going to the Beach • (1973) • short story by Gene Wolfe
A world where people are split between Honorable Income (techno-driven leisure pay) and Work (menial jobs that still have yet to be automated. One man who has to work has a nuanced relationship with an android sex worker. A complex discussion of the nature of work, the value of automation and technology, and the various classes of labor.
It's Very Clean • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Miles, a young man seeking his first intimate experience with an artificial partner, visits an establishment that offers lifelike robots. Guided by a fat woman with a gold tooth, he is shown a malfunctioning unit before being led to his own encounter. As he spends time with Jill, a seemingly perfect robot, he discovers an unsettling truth that challenges his perception of reality and humanity.
***
81 Anthologies + 19 Author Collections + 14 Slates of Award Finalists + 2 Magazine Issues
at https://www.shortsf.com
37 STORIES : 10 GREAT / 23 GOOD / 4 AVERAGE / 0 POOR / 0 DNF and 4 POEMS
On a Vacant Face a Bruise • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A poor young man gets a job at the traveling circus which goes to outer space.
Bea and Her Bird Brother • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A poignant story of a dying father who confides to his daughter that her mother was a bird woman from time the father spent in an alternate universe. Silly title and idea, elevated by Wolfe’s beautiful writing.
Memorare • (2007) • novella by Gene Wolfe
Great. Mitch Wildspring is trying to make a documentary about the tombs floating in space, tribute to people who died exploring. Many of techonological marvels. Others are deadly traps. The only thing more trouble is his talent/lover and the woman she is bringing as an assistant. His ex-wife! Brilliant and suspenseful.
A Method Bit in "B" • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Whatever I’m supposed to get here, I’m not getting. A policeman goes about his day while something murderous and werewolfean is happening offstage. There is some but about an after hours pub that doesn’t serve alcohol?
Tarzan of the Grapes • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A reporter is disturbed by farmers hunting hippies who live among the grapevines. But there is something else out there hunting the hunters.
The Little Stranger • (2004) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. Epistolary story about eerie occurances in an old house told as letters from and elders woman to her deceased cousin.
Christmas Inn • (2005) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Great. The “Christmas” family runs a Inn that is losing money until 4 (maybe 5) people arrive and a Christmas Séance changes everything,
The Gunner's Mate • (2005) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A woman on island vacation feels strangely drawn to stay there forever. Meanwhile the ghost of pirate has fallen in love with her and means to make her his.
The Grave Secret • (1951) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. A quirky simple fantasy of a necromancer who doesn’t raise the body he intended to.
The Old Woman in the Young Woman • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A man takes refuge in a house in which live two women. One old and dying. One young and childlike. They have a strange connection and plans for him.
Dormanna • (2012) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Beautiful SF fairy tale of a young girl who takes to school what she believes is an imaginary friend, but really is an information gathering device for a large alien.
Easter Sunday • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. On Easter, a pastor meets the devil who makes the case that he is a revolutionary against an oppressive king.
Archangel Gabriel • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM The Archangel Gabriel put in cosmic context.
Last Night in the Garden of Forking Tongues • (1984) • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM: In praise of Jose Borges.
Maybe We've Been Doing It Wrong • poem by Gene Wolfe (variant of Maybe We've Been Doing It Wrong, or You Can't Turn the Clock Back, But If You Put Off Winding It Long Enough It's The Same Thing 1988)
POEM. Great title and some funny unconventional ideas for society. Like letting pigs run free and giving men swords again.
Connect the Dots • (1981) • poem by Gene Wolfe
POEM. Finding the secrets of the universe in raindrops.
Planetarium in Orbit • (2009) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Crazy space opera with lots of satirical and madcap throwaway lines of creativity. Dr. Death (is this the same from other stories in Wolfe’s ouvre) attempt to seize the essence of planets in a plantarium.
Remembrance to Come • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Student protests and riots have moved classrooms underground for protection. Students are naked except for body paint. Intellectual and educational quality of college students has fallen precipitously. With that as a background, we have a story of a professor terrorized by a figure in all black that sits in his class and then follows him home. I was shocked to see this written in 1970. It was obviously a reaction to the 1968 student protests, but thought it was written by a ‘stodgy old man’ in the 2000s.
The On-Deck Circle • (2006) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Insane story about baseball played with boats on a very large scale and one player who get his chance to hit a homerun using the new rules. Probably a story written as a joke because a common old-timey baseball name was Scooter.
Hopkins Dalhousie • (1984) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A self-driving car confesses in the first line that it killed its master because it loved him. The moments of their ‘life’ together are expertly written.
How I Got Three Zip Codes • (1999) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Absurdist story with a writer and an old man who go off on tangents. The problem of living without a head. The peculiar nature of shipping services. and more…
Screen Test • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Crime story of a expensive piece of Chinese art and the scam being pulled over on the buyer.
Volksweapon • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Mystery Fiction. A game warden comes across a young woman murdered and a young man shot and injured. After enlisting some poachers for help, the warden discovers the truth about the murder.
The Largest Luger • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Mystery Fiction centering around a very rare Luger and whether or not it is counterfeit.
The Last Casualty of Cambrai • (1992) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Mystery Fiction with the same protagonist as the previous story. A World War I diorama of the battle of Cambrai is the scene of a murder. This shows the engineering mind of Gene Wolfe to full effect in the complicated denouement.
Last Drink Bird Head • (2009) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Average. Weird short-short about fell science fiction writers and the weird drinks they order in a bar.
Mountains Like Mice • (1966) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. A young scholar in sent out to undergo a test in the wilderness. When he sees another man captured by the gyrda, he tracks and rescues him. In the process, he discovers the secrets of this planet and humanities role on it.
The Green Wall Said • (1967) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Ironic SciFi as a group of difference humans are debating why they’ve been abducted. They jump to many conclusions but are unwilling to bother reading the message on the wall.
Thou Spark of Blood • (1970) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. On a three-man mission from the Earth to Mars, one of the three ends up murdered and the other two are horribly suspicious of each other.
Unrequited Love • (2007) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A suburban story where robotic children and pets have replaced the real, more difficult, thing for many people. One man reflects how his interference in his neighbors lives has ended up causing pain.
Loco Parentis • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Short surreal play when human, robot, and uplifted animals coexist in a dystopia. A couple wrestles with what it means to have a child..
Going to the Beach • (1973) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. A world where people are split between Honorable Income (techno-driven leisure pay) and Work (menial jobs that still have yet to be automated. One man who has to work has a nuanced relationship with an android sex worker. A complex discussion of the nature of work, the value of automation and technology, and the various classes of labor.
It's Very Clean • (1972) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Great. Miles, a young man seeking his first intimate experience with an artificial partner, visits an establishment that offers lifelike robots. Guided by a fat woman with a gold tooth, he is shown a malfunctioning unit before being led to his own encounter. As he spends time with Jill, a seemingly perfect robot, he discovers an unsettling truth that challenges his perception of reality and humanity.
Frostfree • (2013) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Roy Tabak finds himself with a brand new, state-of-the-art refrigerator that he doesn't remember purchasing. This fridge, however, isn't just any appliance—it talks and even transforms into a woman named Frostfree. Frostfree tells him that his life is under a strange curse, one that only a warm-hearted person can break.
The Giant • (2011) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Fairytale about a Writer of Children’s Books who takes the ‘path less traveled’ in the woods and ends up meeting some young characters who hint at a giant.
The Magic Animal • (2007) • novelette by Gene Wolfe
Good. A charming take on Arthur, Merlin, and the Lady of the Lake. Viviane, who can speak to and understand animals, is drawn into a beautifully written fantasy adventure in a mystic woods. Complete with quirky talking animals, time travel, romance, nostalgia, and a near perfect blend of current and classic fantasy.
The Hour of the Sheep • (2007) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Tiero, a renowned swordsman, sets out to write a book on the art of self-defense at the President-Protector's suggestion. To add authenticity, he ventures into the Questing Quarter, a part of the city that as fallen in disrepute, seeking firsthand experience of street combat. Fusion of fantasy courtly conduct with sci-fi weaponry.
The Woman Who Went Out • [Latro] • (1985) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. Snarky domestic fantasy. A wealthy woman and her husband are both unhappy with their marriage and look to folksy magic to give them more freedom.
Leif in the Wind • (2010) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A small crew surveys a habitable but lifeless planet. Leif, one of the crew members, begins to exhibit strange behavior and reports seeing fantastical birds, causing concern among his shipmates. As tensions rise, the crew must confront the possibility that Leif's visions may be more than mere hallucinations. The birds might be real and on the ship.
The Sea of Memory • (2013) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. A group of explorers find themselves on a mysterious planet after a long journey through space. Adele, one of the crew, grapples with fragmented memories and an elusive reality as she interacts with her fellow travelers. The crew's understanding of time and existence is challenged in this surreal story.
At the Point of Capricorn • (1983) • short story by Gene Wolfe
Good. In a cave at the end of the world, an old woman tells stories to children around a bonfire. Various figures - including a druid, viking, and pastry chef - enter to give their perspective on the bonfire. Powerfully symbolic of the intersection of stories and technology.
October 19, 2024
This exquisite collection of rarities and later-released/lesser-known tales by Wolfe suffers only because it leaves you wanting more (the writer is missed!) and there are a number of glaring errors in the text that can not be forgiven in light of the author’s propensity for wordplay and sleight of hand allusion. I could give individual ratings for each short story contained herein this marvelous volume, but that would be unfair. A Gene Wolfe story can not be read, may only ever be reread, as many brilliant readers and writers have said already before you or I. That being the case, I strongly encourage this collection be read with earnest intent, with consideration of time and space when seating with it, and with not a little bit of tea or coffee and some snacks to hand. Kim Stanley Robinson’s introduction is succinct and necessary. “The Sea of Memory” is a perfect distillation of Wolfe’s oeuvre and I highly recommend that story.
Read
November 23, 2025On balance, this is probably not the strongest collection of Gene Wolfe's shorts—that would be the sublime and appropriately titled Best of Gene Wolfe – but there's still some strong stuff in here, and it's always a delight to read Wolfe's short fiction period. He probably works best in short fiction—some of his issues with characterization are removed, and it allows for his astonishingly original mind to flourish.
September 19, 2024
I’m a bit confused- it’s an entire collection of Gene Wolfe stories and I only felt super confused like…10-20% of the time? And not at all during the 80ish page novella! This is a way better intro to Wolfe than the Shadow of the Torturer series. The intro is also great.
December 27, 2023
Entertaining and dense compared to the short story length. Felt a lot of them ended with a limp conclusion.
January 21, 2024
For the completeist.
Read
December 26, 2023The book has an unattractive cover and a bad title, but it's practically the only place to find Wolfe's novella, Memorare.
October 7, 2023
The police have never brought me to justice and they never will. My scientific knowledge stands at eight-hundred ninety five, highest in the known universe. My cruelty at nine-hundred and ten.
To be honest, I am woefully behind on my classic sci-fi and hadn't heard of Gene Wolfe before--just the marketing email proclaiming him "one of the most important sci-fi and fantasy writers of our time." When I started reading the collection, I wasn't very impressed. He writes with an understated and unfinished quality that, especially in short story format, can feel rather underwhelming. What was interesting, was that I kept finding that even when I hadn't particularly enjoyed the story... I didn't think it was a bad story. There was always something that I kept turning over in my mind in fascination.
In doing research on why he's regarded as "one of the most important," I found a Wired article that described a first experience reading Wolfe as "I think this Wolfe guy is a so-so writer, but he's an amazing creator of worlds." And I think that was the aspect that really shined in this collection. Each time I reached a new story, I found myself anticipating the ways in which the world was going to start out relatively normal and become something new and exciting (or terrifying). All of them were completely satisfying world building, despite the word constraints of short stories.
As to the editing and ordering, I really enjoyed the structure of the stories. Reading it cover to cover, the stories flowed well and built on themes in ways that helped build my understanding of Wolfe and his work. It was very well done. And in terms of favorites, I am lingering on the stories: "Bea and Her Bird Brother," "The Old Woman in the Young Woman," "Volksweapon," "Thou Spark of Blood," "Frostfree," and "The Magic Animal." The Final section (Through the Mists and Out into the Void" was, in my opinion, the strongest and most interesting stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2023
This is a great collection of Gene Wolfe stories, including some that are tough to find elsewhere. The stories are fantastic, but the actual book package is a bit odd. So the introduction is credited only to “Stan,” which from context and the copyright page it is clear is Kim Stanley Robinson. But why is this only listed on the copyright, as opposed to anywhere more clear? The book also claims it has poems and essays, but really there are about 3 poems and no real essays, which is a shame as Gene Wolfe wrote some amazing ones! So really this is just a short story collection, but a completely excellent one. Probably more for the completist than the new fan (I would maybe start with Endangered Species), but hopefully if the publisher does another volume it is more honest in the marketing.
I did wonder if originally I’d been sent a fake copy, as unlikely as it would be for anyone to counterfeit an obscure writer like Wolfe, but Amazon sent me two the same! So I believe I’m being accurate.
I did wonder if originally I’d been sent a fake copy, as unlikely as it would be for anyone to counterfeit an obscure writer like Wolfe, but Amazon sent me two the same! So I believe I’m being accurate.
February 2, 2024
Gene Wolfe was arguably the best of a generation that produced a whole slew of exceptional writers (to name a few: Ursula K. Le Guin; Samuel R. Delany; Roger Zelazny; Joanna Russ; Thomas M. Disch... I could go on, but at some point I'll have blatantly missed someone's favorite, so I'll just do an arbitrary cutoff right there). He is best-known for this multi-volume series, and in particular the "Solar Cycle," consisting of 12 book in three sub-series, but he also wrote some superb short fiction.
Not surprisingly, some of the stories in this posthumous collection are superb. Only a few of these have been collected in a Wolfe collection before, and those are generally in obscure, out of print small-press volumes which are hard to find and expensive to acquire if you are lucky enough tof find them.
These pieces are gathered into eight groups. The logic by which these groups are made is not entirely clear to me. One of the groups ("Musing under a Tree") contains three of the four poems collected here; the other, maddeningly, is the last item in the previous section.
The longest story by far, "Memorare," is also one of the best. The dual conceit is that space travel has become cheap, and that some people who die in space have asteroids or some such turned into memorials (tombs?) for them. Many of them have multiple death traps built into them for unwary persons who come to raid, or, for that matter, to pay their respects -- the first one we see is a bit remniscent of the setup in Algys Budrys's _Rogue Moon_, but the main one certainly isn't. Anyway, the story concerns a man who wants to make a documentary about these memorials, his lover who won't marry him, and two other people whose relationships to those two come clear over the course of the story. In lesser hands, this might well come across as a soap opera; in Wolfe's, it's a dark tragedy
The shortest story, and the last -- "At the Point of Capricorn" -- is a weirdly funny and somewhat surreal story about an old woman at a fireside, the children who come to listen to her stories, and the various people who interrupt the procedings.
I might also mention "Easter Sunday" (about the same length as "Capricorn"), about a pastor who takes a walk on that day; "Planetarium in Orbit," a lovely sendup of pulp fiction; and ... but I could go on mentioning until the cow-tippers come home.
Other stories range from hard(ish) science fiction, to fantasy, to subtle horror; there are even a few straight(ish) detective stories here. And, to be sure, some of the stories are quite minor indeed ("Tarzan of the Grapes," for example, or "It's Very Clean"), and none of them rise to the level of his best -- there's a separate volume for _those_ -- but I found them all well worth reading.
As for the four poems -- they are all short (none longer than a page). None of them shows any interest in formal experimentation, which surprised me just a bit. They all have something to say, and they say it clearly and succinctly.
I don't, personally, know of any further posthumous Wolfe planned. I rather hope some will be forthcoming. I am fairly sure that some stories remain uncollected: but they may, by this point, be dregs. A book of his letters might be of interest. I am reasonably certain that there are no novels lurking unpublished, though perhaps, now that Wolfe is no longer around to object, _Operation Ares_ -- a minor work, to be sure, but his first published novel -- might be rereleased. I'd like that; my copy was falling apart when I bought it...
Not surprisingly, some of the stories in this posthumous collection are superb. Only a few of these have been collected in a Wolfe collection before, and those are generally in obscure, out of print small-press volumes which are hard to find and expensive to acquire if you are lucky enough tof find them.
These pieces are gathered into eight groups. The logic by which these groups are made is not entirely clear to me. One of the groups ("Musing under a Tree") contains three of the four poems collected here; the other, maddeningly, is the last item in the previous section.
The longest story by far, "Memorare," is also one of the best. The dual conceit is that space travel has become cheap, and that some people who die in space have asteroids or some such turned into memorials (tombs?) for them. Many of them have multiple death traps built into them for unwary persons who come to raid, or, for that matter, to pay their respects -- the first one we see is a bit remniscent of the setup in Algys Budrys's _Rogue Moon_, but the main one certainly isn't. Anyway, the story concerns a man who wants to make a documentary about these memorials, his lover who won't marry him, and two other people whose relationships to those two come clear over the course of the story. In lesser hands, this might well come across as a soap opera; in Wolfe's, it's a dark tragedy
The shortest story, and the last -- "At the Point of Capricorn" -- is a weirdly funny and somewhat surreal story about an old woman at a fireside, the children who come to listen to her stories, and the various people who interrupt the procedings.
I might also mention "Easter Sunday" (about the same length as "Capricorn"), about a pastor who takes a walk on that day; "Planetarium in Orbit," a lovely sendup of pulp fiction; and ... but I could go on mentioning until the cow-tippers come home.
Other stories range from hard(ish) science fiction, to fantasy, to subtle horror; there are even a few straight(ish) detective stories here. And, to be sure, some of the stories are quite minor indeed ("Tarzan of the Grapes," for example, or "It's Very Clean"), and none of them rise to the level of his best -- there's a separate volume for _those_ -- but I found them all well worth reading.
As for the four poems -- they are all short (none longer than a page). None of them shows any interest in formal experimentation, which surprised me just a bit. They all have something to say, and they say it clearly and succinctly.
I don't, personally, know of any further posthumous Wolfe planned. I rather hope some will be forthcoming. I am fairly sure that some stories remain uncollected: but they may, by this point, be dregs. A book of his letters might be of interest. I am reasonably certain that there are no novels lurking unpublished, though perhaps, now that Wolfe is no longer around to object, _Operation Ares_ -- a minor work, to be sure, but his first published novel -- might be rereleased. I'd like that; my copy was falling apart when I bought it...
September 10, 2023
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Tor Publishing Group for an advance copy of this collection of works by one of the most skilled craftsmen in genre history, whose writing skills ran from poetry, to prose to essays and reviews all with a style and even grace that were unique to Gene Wolfe.
If I remember correctly, and right away I sound like a narrator in a Gene Wolfe story, saying one thing, while the truth is far different, I first came across the writer Gene Wolfe while buying books in my library's bag sale. The sales always included Best of Science Fiction collections for the year from the Science Fiction Book Club, always without covers, but with either bright red or blue covers, I remember those, and jam packed with stories. I know Gene Wolfe and I crossed paths a lot in those collections. The first book I remember and still have next to a trade size on my shelf was The Claw of the Conciliator a story I was probably too young to understand fully, but was a fantasy book that was so different from what I knew I had to read more. Wolfe had a way with characters giving them flaws that seemed real, with thoughts about faith, and redemption and truth, even while doing very bad things, or doing bad things to make good things. Sometimes I might not understand, but I was always enthralled. The Wolfe at the Door is a collection of newer works and works never before collected, fiction, nonfiction and more, that hold up well and serve as a fine epitaph for a gifted writer.
The collection offers novellas, short works, poems, essays and biographic bits, and a few thoughts on big issues. Some of these are from this century, or have never been collected, and are probably the last works of the author, who passed away in 2019. Memorare is a novella that was up for a Nebula and is one of the best pieces in here. A story about the future, why people would want to go to space, and be remembered when they go. And also about the deathtraps these space memorials can be. The work is vintage Wolfe, a narrator with ulterior motives, speculation on faith, traps and more. Christmas Inn tells of a bed and breakfast that has seen better days, and the ghosts, four in number that change lives near the holiday, which seemed so familiar that until it started coming together I had no idea where it was going. Method Bit in B is another story that starts one way, goes another and is saved by its humor. In addition there is a section that is devoted to poetry, and some essays.
Gene Wolfe was one of the giants of speculative fiction, writing fantasy that is considered some of the genre's best, and short stories that makes one not only think, but mull over what this could be, and how would one try to deal with it. The stories in some sections might seem dated, some are from the early seventies, some poems I believe from before that. However there is a care to them, a feeling that the stories were given a chance a breathe and live a little before being thrown out into the world. Wolfe had a real job that gave him time to write, and deadlines didn't mean starvation. The book is introduced by Kim Stanley Robinson, an author who is close to Wolfe in style and caring for his characters.
Recommended for fans and for people new to the works of Wolfe, this would serve as a very nice introduction. A very complete collection that has a lot going for it, and a great book to share at the holidays.
If I remember correctly, and right away I sound like a narrator in a Gene Wolfe story, saying one thing, while the truth is far different, I first came across the writer Gene Wolfe while buying books in my library's bag sale. The sales always included Best of Science Fiction collections for the year from the Science Fiction Book Club, always without covers, but with either bright red or blue covers, I remember those, and jam packed with stories. I know Gene Wolfe and I crossed paths a lot in those collections. The first book I remember and still have next to a trade size on my shelf was The Claw of the Conciliator a story I was probably too young to understand fully, but was a fantasy book that was so different from what I knew I had to read more. Wolfe had a way with characters giving them flaws that seemed real, with thoughts about faith, and redemption and truth, even while doing very bad things, or doing bad things to make good things. Sometimes I might not understand, but I was always enthralled. The Wolfe at the Door is a collection of newer works and works never before collected, fiction, nonfiction and more, that hold up well and serve as a fine epitaph for a gifted writer.
The collection offers novellas, short works, poems, essays and biographic bits, and a few thoughts on big issues. Some of these are from this century, or have never been collected, and are probably the last works of the author, who passed away in 2019. Memorare is a novella that was up for a Nebula and is one of the best pieces in here. A story about the future, why people would want to go to space, and be remembered when they go. And also about the deathtraps these space memorials can be. The work is vintage Wolfe, a narrator with ulterior motives, speculation on faith, traps and more. Christmas Inn tells of a bed and breakfast that has seen better days, and the ghosts, four in number that change lives near the holiday, which seemed so familiar that until it started coming together I had no idea where it was going. Method Bit in B is another story that starts one way, goes another and is saved by its humor. In addition there is a section that is devoted to poetry, and some essays.
Gene Wolfe was one of the giants of speculative fiction, writing fantasy that is considered some of the genre's best, and short stories that makes one not only think, but mull over what this could be, and how would one try to deal with it. The stories in some sections might seem dated, some are from the early seventies, some poems I believe from before that. However there is a care to them, a feeling that the stories were given a chance a breathe and live a little before being thrown out into the world. Wolfe had a real job that gave him time to write, and deadlines didn't mean starvation. The book is introduced by Kim Stanley Robinson, an author who is close to Wolfe in style and caring for his characters.
Recommended for fans and for people new to the works of Wolfe, this would serve as a very nice introduction. A very complete collection that has a lot going for it, and a great book to share at the holidays.
March 27, 2025
B/B+
I read this over the course of about a month, often reading a story or two before bed. While I really loved probably a fourth of this collection and at least enjoyed another half of the stories pretty well, about a fourth of the stories were pretty bad imo… mostly the stories that were originally collected in Wolfe’s hard to find collection The Young Wolfe.
That is to say that the stories from Wolfe’s apprentice era show how much progress he made in the 60s and 70s as he worked out of obscurity and toward the Book of the New Sun, a tetralogy that many regard to be Wolfe’s finest work (for me, Wolfe’s real masterpiece is the Book of the Short Sun).
The poems in this collection are uniformly horrible as well… like some of the worst poetry I have as yet come across. They even rhyme and everything 🤮🤮🤮🤮 like ew na mean? The best poem is definitely the Borges pastiche, but even that one is still definitively not good.
As for what I did enjoy: I absolutely loved Memorare. Like it may be my favorite Wolfe novella, and it surprises me that it hadn’t been previously collected. Mountains like Mice was also really fucking good. The Christmas story was great and it is probably the story that stuck with me the most in terms of me trying to figure out wtf what was going on once I finished reading the story. There were other standouts as well but I’m blanking on their names.
Overall this book is definitely not the best introduction to Wolfe’s fiction, short or otherwise. The only other story collection I’ve read by him (The Island of Dr Death and Other Stories and Other Stories) is far superior. That being said, if you’re a fan of Wolfe, this book is definitely a must read.
I read this over the course of about a month, often reading a story or two before bed. While I really loved probably a fourth of this collection and at least enjoyed another half of the stories pretty well, about a fourth of the stories were pretty bad imo… mostly the stories that were originally collected in Wolfe’s hard to find collection The Young Wolfe.
That is to say that the stories from Wolfe’s apprentice era show how much progress he made in the 60s and 70s as he worked out of obscurity and toward the Book of the New Sun, a tetralogy that many regard to be Wolfe’s finest work (for me, Wolfe’s real masterpiece is the Book of the Short Sun).
The poems in this collection are uniformly horrible as well… like some of the worst poetry I have as yet come across. They even rhyme and everything 🤮🤮🤮🤮 like ew na mean? The best poem is definitely the Borges pastiche, but even that one is still definitively not good.
As for what I did enjoy: I absolutely loved Memorare. Like it may be my favorite Wolfe novella, and it surprises me that it hadn’t been previously collected. Mountains like Mice was also really fucking good. The Christmas story was great and it is probably the story that stuck with me the most in terms of me trying to figure out wtf what was going on once I finished reading the story. There were other standouts as well but I’m blanking on their names.
Overall this book is definitely not the best introduction to Wolfe’s fiction, short or otherwise. The only other story collection I’ve read by him (The Island of Dr Death and Other Stories and Other Stories) is far superior. That being said, if you’re a fan of Wolfe, this book is definitely a must read.
May 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
I have a passing familiarity with Gene Wolfe, having read The Shadow of the Torturer many years ago. My feelings are exemplified by this review from J.G. Keely: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
That said, I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. It took me about half of the book to get into a stride but then I found almost every work did something truly interesting. I especially enjoyed “The Magical Animal”, “Leif in the Wind” and “At the Point of Capricorn”. “The Magical Animal” is a surprisingly sweet and charming contribution to Arthuriana.
I have a passing familiarity with Gene Wolfe, having read The Shadow of the Torturer many years ago. My feelings are exemplified by this review from J.G. Keely: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
That said, I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. It took me about half of the book to get into a stride but then I found almost every work did something truly interesting. I especially enjoyed “The Magical Animal”, “Leif in the Wind” and “At the Point of Capricorn”. “The Magical Animal” is a surprisingly sweet and charming contribution to Arthuriana.
December 4, 2023
The scope of this collection is incredible. I have been a fan of Gene Wolfe for many years now and his short stories are always fantastic. Every one of the stories collected in The Wolfe at the Door are unique and compelling. I recommend this collection to any reader that loves seeing the versatility of a writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.
July 2, 2024
The last (for now) book of uncollected short stories by Gene Wolfe, who was one of the true literary lights of science fiction/fantasy. Reading Wolfe can be challenging---he really expected people to bring their A Game to his work---but even when all the hidden meanings and cultural touchpoint remain obscure, the stories themselves as narratives amaze.
July 10, 2025
This contains the very good novella Memorare, which despite poor characterisation etc has some fascinating elements, interplanetary tombstones and fairylike enchantment.
Other stories to note that were quite good with interesting elements: Mountains Like Mice, Going to the Beach, The Sea of Memory. Overall a lot of stories however for the completist.
Other stories to note that were quite good with interesting elements: Mountains Like Mice, Going to the Beach, The Sea of Memory. Overall a lot of stories however for the completist.
November 11, 2025
3.5/5.
The stories here were consistently imaginative no matter the setting and genre. I counted sci-fi, dying earth, fantasy, magical realism, Americana, thriller and more. Some particular stories that stuck with me were the tomb raider documentarians, the best swordsman in the world, and the unemployed writer. But also consistent across the stories was a very prevalent male gaze toward women.
The stories here were consistently imaginative no matter the setting and genre. I counted sci-fi, dying earth, fantasy, magical realism, Americana, thriller and more. Some particular stories that stuck with me were the tomb raider documentarians, the best swordsman in the world, and the unemployed writer. But also consistent across the stories was a very prevalent male gaze toward women.
April 9, 2025
Collected posthumously, the stories in this book are of uneven quality. Some are brilliant Gene Wolfe, some are merely ordinary SF. Standouts for me include Frostfree, Christmas Inn, and Sea of Memory.
May 25, 2024
The amount of back patting the author did to themselves after writing each droll thinking they’re the cleverest of them all could be heard in every word.
December 24, 2024
An interesting collection of stories of many genres, all thought provoking, many creepy and dark, even when light hearted. Mr Wolfe knew how to tell a tale.
January 14, 2025
A mixed bag. None of these stories are great, and many are fairly forgettable.
Read
May 10, 2025Posthumous B-sides story collection. Notables include the amusing Frostfree and Christmas Inn, Memorare, The Magic Animal, and the personal introduction by Kim Stanley Robinson.
October 29, 2025
Väldigt blandade noveller, man märker att det här är en samling av lite av varje som blivit över. Det blir ofta sämre, men det här är ju Wolfe, så mycket är ändå bra.
January 16, 2026
A very eclectic set of stories. Some absolute bangers in here and then a bunch of "meh". Nothing that was absolutely terrible though. It was good to read intermittently between other books.
May 3, 2024
3.5 as the stories are all over the place in theme and style. Overall I was disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews