The Wizard

Craig Brewer · 10 Mar 2012, 16:27 · from 2012-March.txt.gz

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From: cnbrewer at yahoo.com (Craig Brewer)
Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2012 10:27:38 -0600
Subject: (urth) The Wizard
In-Reply-To: <SNT123-W1777D3AED06C34B75FA01BCF550 at phx.gbl>
References: <SNT123-W1777D3AED06C34B75FA01BCF550 at phx.gbl>
Message-ID: <6322C187-7096-48A6-8EBB-E7BC5B10F29F at yahoo.com>

Here's the link. Random q&a from the list a long time ago.

http://www.ansible.co.uk/cc/cc77.html



On Mar 10, 2012, at 9:49 AM, Lee Berman <severiansola at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 
> 
>> craig Brewer: I forget which interview it is where Wolfe says that Silk is a 
> 
>> member of the "Order of the Seekers of Truth and Penitence" ... 
> 
> 
> 
> I am not familiar with that one. I'd appreciate a link to it very much if it
> 
> the identity happens to come to mind. I am familiar with a Wolfe quote saying
> 
> that Jesus, given his scourging of the moneychangers, had bit of torturer within
> 
> him.
> 
> 
> 
>> My point is really that I don't quite understand the significance of the argument 
> 
>> ...In other words, when thinking about what Severian or Silk actually experience and 
> 
>> about their narrative arcs, does it matter whether or not this world actually had a 
> 
>> Christ? Either way, these characters know nothing about the historical events, and 
> 
>> that's what really matters. It's their distance from the truth (no matter which 
> 
>> direction in time) that gives their stories a real spiritual tension and urgency.
> 
> 
> 
> I would agree. That is probably a good description of Wolfe's intentions.  
> 
> 
> 
> To understand the significance of the arguments, I think you have to be cognizant
> 
> of the dynamics of a venue such as this. If you write a book and include an
> 
> insightful truism, as you have done above, each reader can nod in agreement and 
> 
> enjoy the insight. Here, it might get a bit boring if the dialog consisted entirely
> 
> of such statements and dutiful affirmations from each other. That is a rather passive 
> 
> and static form of communication.
> 
> 
> 
> When there is disagrement it becomes more active and dynamic. Various factions will 
> 
> become inspired to delve more deeply into the text and more broadly beyond the 
> 
> text to find support for their positions.  We've seen evidence dredged from Persian 
> 
> poety, astrophysics, avian taxonomy, occult worship, etc. Stuff I never would have 
> 
> learned about without the debate.
> 
> 
> 
> I'm not saying there is no place for a discussion of agreement of Wolfe's brilliance
> 
> or news blurbs concerning his next award or a newly published review of his work.  I
> 
> just don't think that's all this List need be restricted to. I never wish for negativity 
> 
> but I am forced to admit the bald truth that the debates have been more helpful in 
> 
> furthering my understanding of Gene Wolfe than the agreements.
> 
> 
> 
> In more specific terms, I have learned a lot from Dan'l, David, James, Jordon, Marc and
> 
> others in the last few years that would never have been explicated without the provocations 
> 
> of Gerry Quinn.  That's why I have steadfastly supported Gerry's contributions here, despite 
> 
> the superficial appearance of antagonism.                         
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