G.Wolfe _Shadow of the Torturer_

Brian McElhinney · 24 Jul 1991, 22:01 · from rec.arts.sf-lovers.1991.mbox

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From: mce at tc.fluke.COM (Brian McElhinney)
Subject: Re: G.Wolfe _Shadow of the Torturer_
Date: 24 Jul 91 22:01:42 GMT
Message-ID: <1991Jul24.220142.8036 at tc.fluke.COM>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf-lovers
References: <9107221851.AA00898 at nowalls.UCSD.EDU> <1991Jul23.164922.11000 at leland.Stanford.EDU>

repnomar at leland.Stanford.EDU (Janet M. Lafler) writes:

>One of the main features of Wolfe's narrative style is that his stories go
>on and on beyond the point you could reasonably expect them to.  If you like
>his tricks, he's great.

Wolfe has said "I like to write every story at the length at which it seems
to me it should be told."  You accuse him of instead using tricks to pad the
page count.  What tricks are these?  What would your "good" author have done
differently?  What "reasonable expectations" are betrayed?

>There is also a companion volume, _The Urth of the New Sun_, which I
>haven't read but have been reliably informed is awful.

First "tricks" and now "reliable informants."  Did your reliable informant
even bother to read the book?  Finish the book?  Or is said informant's
opinion is based on a tabloid headline?  "WOLFE BOOK AWFUL.  HAS THREE
HEADS.  SEE PAGE 12."

>That's all the books there are in the series; I think we can count on him
>not to write any more.

What did he ever do to you to inspire such disdain?  Were you forced to buy
and read his books?  Is he taking precious shelf space from your favorite
formula fantasy writer, last name of Anthony?  What gives?

You can count on Wolfe to write well, and that's about all.  It may *very*
well be surprising, strange, and difficult.  But it will also be
well-crafted, thought out, and unique.

As it happens, Wolfe has said he does not *plan* to write any more *novels*
about Urth or Severian.  There are already a couple of short stories, and
there may be more.

Wolfe is presently working on a multi-volume novel, NIGHT SIDE OF THE LONG
SUN.  Presumably, you'll find that news distressing.  I, for one, am
eagerly awaiting publication.

Brian McElhinney   "The locked and rusted gate that stood before us, with wisps
mce at tc.fluke.com   of river fog threading its spikes like the mountain paths,
		   remains in my mind now as a symbol of my exile."--Gene Wolfe

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