SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Just what it says, I guess. I know he is most known for his works of Fantasy, and I've somehow managed to have never read so much as a syllable by him. And from what I've read ABOUT the man, that is an oversight in need of correction. Thanks in advance, and all that.

I see two options:
Read the Book of the New Sun series, starting with The Shadow of the Torturer, detailing the life of Severian, a journeyman torturer. I've read this back in the 80s and was a Gene Wolfe fan ever on. It reminds a lot of Jack Vance's Dying Earth but isn't a derivative work at all. Continue with the rest of the series, if you liked that start.

The second option would be his SF The Fifth Head of Cerberus.

Let me just cite one praise from Michael Swanwick:
"Gene Wolfe is the greatest writer in the English language alive today. Let me repeat that: Gene Wolfe is the greatest writer in the English language alive today! I mean it. Shakespeare was a better stylist, Melville was more important to American letters, and Charles Dickens had a defter hand at creating characters. But among living writers, there is nobody who can even approach Gene Wolfe for brilliance of prose, clarity of thought, and depth in meaning."

It depends. If you read fantasy more than sci-fi, start with The Knight. If you read Sci-Fi more, I'd go with the Book of the New Sun.

I was able to get both The Wizard and The Knight from my local library, so I guess I'll start there. Possibly not the best approach, but poverty dictates many of my choices these days.

Thanks for this topic - and the replies. I've only read a few short stories by Gene Wolfe, which made me a fan of his writting but I haven't gotten into his longer works yet.

This will help!

Always happy to steer someone towards Gene Wolfe. :)

I might actually suggest starting with The Book of the Long Sun before New Sun.

Long Sun is more accessible and had some of the most likable characters I've read in any book.

Technically it takes place after New Sun, but it is only loosely connected and won't spoil anything.

Hello,

Mind if I revive this old thread?

I just got finished reading the Book of the New Sun. It's clear from readers, from the author, and from Severian himself, that I ought to read this book a second time.

I can dig that, but would you recommend going on to read the Urth of the New Sun first, before going back for my second read of BOTNS?

Thanks,