Shadow & Claw discussion

I think the best way to approach TBOTNS is to read the whole work two or three times. Only then do the layers and sub-layers begin resolving. It's well worth the effort though...

Indeed, it's a book that shines after re-reading. Fans of time travel, morality conundrum, coming of age, romance, high adventure, feudalism, mystery and SF would find something to like here.

I echo earlier comments - well worth a re-read.

This series looks great. Would you recommend it to A Malazan fan.

I'd recommend it to anyone. It's the greatest genre novel of them all.

Stephen wrote: "I'd recommend it to anyone. It's the greatest genre novel of them all."

I wouldn't go that far, but it is pretty damn good.

It's hard to miss with Gene Wolfe. His Wizard Knight duology will always be one of my favorites.

I gave up on it. I finished Shadow of the Torturer but hated it too much to continue with Claw of the Conciliator. The thought of subjecting myself to a second reading is not appealing. Life is too short and I have too many other books to explore.

If I was going to give Gene Wolfe a go. Where to start, I don't know if any of the trilogies are in chronological order, but looking for a good start point.

Benji wrote: "If I was going to give Gene Wolfe a go. Where to start, I don't know if any of the trilogies are in chronological order, but looking for a good start point."

Soldier of the Mist is a good place to start Benji. Based on Greek mythology and relatively simplistic. As much as Wolfe ever is.

Personally, I'd say this is the best order:

New Sun
-------
Shadow of the Torturer
Claw of the Conciliator
Sword of the Lictor
Citadel of the Autarch

Long Sun
--------
Nightside the Long Sun
Lake of the Long Sun
Calde of the Long Sun
Exodus of the Long Sun

Short Sun
---------
On Blue's Waters
In Green's Jungles
Return to the Whorl

Final
-----
Urth of the New Sun


And at any time: The Fifth Head of Cerberus, There Are Doors, Soldier of the Mist, Starwater Strains

Having just re-read it for the 4th time, I must say it does indeed get more enjoyable each time! It has not lost any appeal for me over the course of years.

If you've never read Wolfe and want a taste of what he has to offer, I suggest trying his short story collection "The Island of Doctor Death and Other Stories and Other Stories". Nothing in there is quite as good as his Solar Sequence, but neither is anything as dense.

Stephen wrote: "I'd recommend it to anyone. It's the greatest genre novel of them all."

I'd definitely go this far. The best genre fiction on my shelf, and potentially one of the best books I have ever read.

Hey Kenneth, I'm curious; why do you think Urth is best left for the end? I've read the entire solar sequence twice, excepting Urth of the New Sun, which I've only read once after my second go round with Short Sun. I felt a little detached for the narrative and I'm not sure if it's just not as good or if it's because I spent so much time away from Severin. On my third go around I plan on reading Urth after New and then continue on to Long and Short. I'm just wondering if I'm missing something by saving Urth till the end of the sequence.

Benji wrote: "This series looks great. Would you recommend it to A Malazan fan."

I've only read the first Malazan book, so I can't really say if you would appreciate it as a Malazan fan. I think you'll have to take a plunge and see if it's worth your time on your own. I will say that it reads nothing like modern fantasy sagas. Wolfe doesn't hold your hand; in fact, he wraps a blindfold around your eyes and gives you shove in no certain direction. Book of the New Sun is one of those books that changes the way you read books after it; or maybe you'll think its garbage and wonder what all the fuss is about. The first time I tried New Sun, I stopped at the half way point and put it down for 8 months. I'm not sure what made me pick it back up again, but I'm so glad I did. Give it a whirl, stick with it for a while. I think you'll be glad you did.

Jesse, for me Urth is a coda to the whole series. So for me, after Severian leaves for Yesod at the end of NS, I like to proceed with LS and SS. Especially because during SS, the dream sequences occasionally tie back to young Severian in the Citadel. Once we see the conclusion of Silk/Horn's story, I return to Urth where I can imagine that Severian has been traveling, all this time, on the ship. His story which ties everything together serves as the perfect conclusion to the whole piece, in my opinion.

For me, it's best read as the fifth in the first sequence. Just my 2 cents.