_The Wizard_ by Gene Wolfe - too much like previous Wolfe

JavaJosh · 07 Nov 2005, 23:40 · from rec.arts.sf.written.2005.mbox

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From: "JavaJosh" <javajosh at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: _The Wizard_ by Gene Wolfe - too much like previous Wolfe
Date: 7 Nov 2005 15:40:19 -0800
Message-ID: <1131406819.578880.176180 at g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.written
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Steve Simmons wrote:
> Wayne <throopw at sheol.org> wrote on 11/05/05 at 19:06:
>
> >:: What is it about Wolfe that fails to spark controversy?
>
> >: A lurking fear that one has failed to Get It?
>
> > I don't have that fear at all.  I *know* I don't get it.
>
> For some reason, people who don't get Wolfe seem to realize that there's
> something in there that they just didn't get.  Most other authors that
> people don't get they don't get that they don't get.

Yeah, there is that nagging feeling that whenever a character is
behaving in some unfathomably random way that this was a fully
intentional breach. Wolfe's tight control of the narration gives that
feeling, and the fact that, if you read his stories twice you realize
how incredibly detailed his knowledge of the world was even at the
beginning. He is the master of subtle forshadowing.

That and the fact that he so patiently scans a relatively narrow
viewpoint over his invariably rich worlds makes you feel like he's in
control, at least of himself. Most other authors can't contain their
exuberance and, like an inexperienced stripper, show everything much
too fast. Wofe is patient. And now I think that was an unfortunate
simile. :)

But I believe that you can't hide behind reputation forever, and that
even the best writers flub their scenes. :)

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